The gospel question; what is the gospel according to Peter? Part IV

It is definitely true that Jesus stated that the kingdom of God was at hand and that the Jews should repent and believe the gospel. The gospel then is the gospel of the kingdom of God. However, to understand the gospel as it is relevant to the Gentiles one must look into the book of Acts. Peter explains in Acts 15:7 that he was the first to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. Therefore, what Peter preached to Cornelius’ household is the gospel according to Peter. 

Let’s look at it:

Here is Peter’s entire sermon and the immediate results:

Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. (Act 10:34-44)

Here is my attempt at giving a bulleted list of what Peter told them the gospel was. This is the absolute first time that the gospel was preached to the Gentiles… the Holy Spirit fell on all of them… therefore, we can conclude that Peter preached the gospel as he knew it. The gospel according to Peter was…..

• People in every nation who fears the Lord is accepted by him
• God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power
• He was crucified and resurrected
• Whoever believes in his name will receive remission of sins

Essentially, the gospel is a very simple, straight forward message. God has redeemed the world through the faith of Jesus Christ. Notice I said the faith –of—Jesus Christ and, not faith in Jesus Christ. This will take some additional study and, we will get on with that in due time but, for now, we can begin to see the essential framework of the gospel. A quick note about bullet one… the meaning of fear is to be in awe of and reverence.