Word + Walk: This One – The Gospel Has a Name
✝️ Sermon Recap: This One – The Gospel Has a Name
Text: Acts 10:34–48
Big Idea: The gospel is not an idea, a tradition, or a vague hope. It has a name. His name is Jesus of Nazareth. God accepts anyone who believes in this one, fears Him, and obeys His word.
I. When the Preacher Becomes the Student (vv. 34–36)
Peter, the apostle who had preached powerfully, is still learning. He confesses, “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality.” God’s categories are not like ours. His acceptance is based on faith in His Son.
Reflection: Where might God still be expanding your vision beyond your categories?
II. The Message That Changes Everything (vv. 37–42)
Peter recounts the story of Jesus. Anointed by the Spirit, He did good, healed the oppressed, was killed on a tree, but raised on the third day. Peter emphasizes this one — the crucified and risen Christ. Witnesses ate and drank with Him after His resurrection. He is appointed as Judge of the living and the dead.
Reflection: What part of the gospel story do you most need to hear again today?
III. When God Jumped the Fence (vv. 43–48)
While Peter is still preaching, the Spirit falls on Gentiles. The Jewish believers are amazed. God pours out His Spirit on those once considered outsiders. Peter commands baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. No delay. No extra requirements. This one died and rose for them too.
Reflection: How does this challenge our tendency to draw lines about who belongs?
🙏 Walk It Out: 5-Day Devotional
Day 1 – No Partiality
📖 Acts 10:34–35; Romans 2:11
God does not play favorites. He looks at the heart that fears Him.
Day 2 – Preach the Pronoun
📖 Acts 10:40; 2 Corinthians 5:17
God raised this one Jesus. He makes all things new.
Day 3 – Witnesses Who Testify
📖 Acts 10:39–41; John 20:30–31
The apostles ate and drank with Jesus after His resurrection. We believe through their testimony.
Day 4 – Spirit Confirmation
📖 Acts 10:44–45; Joel 2:28–29
The Spirit confirms God’s inclusion of all nations. Watch for where He is already at work.
Day 5 – Baptism and Belonging
📖 Acts 10:47–48; Acts 2:38
Faith in Jesus leads to baptism into His name. This is where we are united with Christ and His people.
🗣️ Adult Bible Class and Family Discussion Questions
What assumptions do we make about who belongs in God’s family?
→ Follow up: How does Acts 10 challenge those assumptions?
📖 Acts 10:34–36Why is it important that Peter emphasized this one Jesus as risen Lord?
→ Follow up: How does that sharpen our preaching and witness today?
📖 Acts 10:40–42What does Peter’s confession “God shows no partiality” mean for us?
→ Follow up: Where do we still show favoritism in the church?
📖 James 2:1–4Why is it significant that Peter continued learning even as an apostle?
→ Follow up: What does that say about our need for ongoing growth?
📖 2 Peter 3:18What do we learn from the Spirit interrupting Peter’s sermon and falling on Gentiles?
→ Follow up: Where might the Spirit be working outside our categories today?
📖 Acts 10:44–45How do baptism and the Spirit work together in Acts 10?
→ Follow up: Why is baptism still essential even after the Spirit’s confirmation?
📖 Acts 10:47–48; Acts 2:38What does Peter mean when he says Jesus is Judge of the living and the dead?
→ Follow up: How should that truth shape the urgency of our mission?
📖 Acts 10:42; 2 Corinthians 5:10Why do you think God chose to work through Peter instead of sending the angel to preach directly?
→ Follow up: How does that remind us of our role as witnesses today?
📖 Acts 10:5–6; Romans 10:14–15Why is it important that forgiveness is tied to the name of Jesus and not just good works?
→ Follow up: How does that speak to people like Cornelius who are moral but not yet saved?
📖 Acts 10:43; 1 Timothy 2:5How should the church respond when God brings people into His family that surprise us?
→ Follow up: How do we keep from becoming gatekeepers?
📖 Acts 11:17–18; Matthew 9:11–13What keeps us from immediate obedience like the Gentiles who were baptized right away?
→ Follow up: What changes when we treat baptism as urgent instead of optional?
📖 Acts 10:48; Hebrews 3:15How should this story shape Ave G’s mission in our city?
→ Follow up: What barriers must we be willing to cross for the sake of the gospel?
📖 Matthew 28:19–20; Galatians 3:28
🧾 Quick Scripture Reference List
Acts 10:34–48 – Peter preaches Christ, the Spirit falls, Gentiles baptized
Romans 2:11 – God shows no partiality
2 Corinthians 5:17 – In Christ we are a new creation
John 20:30–31 – The signs of Jesus are written so we may believe
Joel 2:28–29 – The Spirit poured out on all people
Acts 2:38 – Repent and be baptized for forgiveness and the Spirit
James 2:1–4 – Warning against favoritism
2 Peter 3:18 – Grow in grace and knowledge
Acts 10:42 – Jesus appointed judge of the living and the dead
2 Corinthians 5:10 – We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ
Acts 10:5–6 – God sends for Peter to preach
Romans 10:14–15 – How will they hear without a preacher?
Acts 10:43 – Forgiveness through His name
1 Timothy 2:5 – One mediator between God and man, Christ Jesus
Acts 11:17–18 – God grants repentance that leads to life
Matthew 9:11–13 – Jesus eats with sinners
Hebrews 3:15 – Do not harden your hearts, obey today
Matthew 28:19–20 – Make disciples of all nations
Galatians 3:28 – No Jew or Greek, all one in Christ Jesus