In Acts 10:35 Peter says that
“in every nation the man who fears [God] and does what is right is welcome to Him.”
What is the scope of his statement here, specifically as it pertains to the word, “welcome”? In what way does God “welcome” these people - does it mean that He will find a way to reveal Himself and the way of Jesus Christ, as He did for Cornelius?
Perhaps the verse could be translated a bit differently than is quoted in the question. Consider, first, the grammar, as shown in the interlinear.
Notice that the word translated as "welcome" is an adjective, and not a verb. Next, notice that in the interlinear gloss it uses the word "acceptable" for the Greek "dektos." This is more passive than the idea of "welcome" connotes, although, as God loves everyone, I don't see anything untrue about the concept of His welcoming those of other nations, merely that it is not a good idea to change an inspired word for one of one's own choosing.
This Greek word is used in only four other verses in the Bible.
| Reference | Text (KJV) |
|---|---|
| Luk 4:19 | To preach the acceptable G1184 year of the Lord. |
| Luk 4:24 | And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted G1184 in his own country. |
| 2Cor 6:2 | (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted G1184, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted G2144 time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) |
| Php 4:18 | But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable G1184, wellpleasing to God. |
As the translation shows, it is consistently seen to be "accepted" or "acceptable." In more than one instance, the idea of "welcome" would not even be a grammatical or theological fit.
But more to the scope of the word itself.
The verse addresses the righteous, God-fearing one who is acceptable with God. This righteous one is depicted as "working righteousness." The works of righteousness are what demonstrate the person's faith. Anyone who, in faith, obeys God's commandments and serves Him faithfully, is accepted.
It is the fragrance of the merit of Christ that makes our good works acceptable to God, and it is grace that enables us to do the works for which He rewards us. Our works in and of themselves have no merit. When we have done all that it is possible for us to do, we are to count ourselves as unprofitable servants. We deserve no thanks from God. We have only done what it was our duty to do, and our works could not have been performed in the strength of our own sinful natures.
Conclusion
According to this text, anyone, in any "ethnei" (nation), who reveres (phoboumenos) God, and whose righteous works demonstrate this, is to be accepted by God.
What is the scope of his statement here, specifically as it pertains to the word, “welcome”?
God It's not partial, but in every nation he who is fearing him and acting righteously is acceptable. Acts 10:35
Cornelius and his friends were acceptable to God because they feared him and acted righteously, and this was even before Simon was sent to them.
They were like the godly Israelite before Christ came but they did lack the pardon and gifts which came with the proclamation of the kingdom. They received this blessing through the chief apostle Peter. Their blessing is connected with and depends on the blessing of Israel in the kingdom.
(Our blessing depends on the opposite.)It actually follows Israel's apostasy.
Cornelius is blessed in accord with a prophetic prediction concerning the nations in the kingdom, As it will be during the millennial eon. Cornelius was like a representative or candidate for the kingdom, but must hear the word of life in order to be saved.
Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter He will convey to you a message by which you and all your household will be saved.’ Acts 11:14
Peter preaches the same message that he dispatched to the sons of Israel, preaching the evangel a peace through Jesus Christ. (He is Lord of all), Acts 10:34-43 Is the gospel he preached to Cornelius and his family and friends.
Peter was charged to proclaim to the people and to certify that this one is he who is specified by God to be judge of the living and the dead. Everyone who is believing in him is to be obtaining the pardon of sins through his name.
So the scope of what Peter preached to Cornelius is representative not only of some of those who heard back in the day when the kingdom was trying to be established, but is now in abeyance.
The kingdom will come on earth and the nations then will be accepted like Cornelius did If they fear him and act righteously. They will be submitting to Israel's rule.
For the sake of the following discussion we will define “Pagan” as a person who is neither Christian nor Jew. Then we ask the question, “Can pagans be saved, as pagans?” The Bible appears to answer affirmatively.
“For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them.” Rom 2:14, 15.
This is similar to the idea Paul expresses in the previous chapter of Rom 1:
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. 21For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.
See also Ps 87:4-6. Further, 1 John 4:7 claims that, “Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” More explicitly, John 1:9 and Rom 1:18-20 also suggest that all people receive some revelation of God and all are without excuse. See also Prov 4:18 and Luke 12:47, 48.
This is consistent with the non-exclusive attitude of God to membership of Israel Israel (see appendix below). In fact, the Bible contains numerous examples of pagans behaving like (or often better than) Jews and Christians and receiving divine information, visions and advising Jews and Christians.
Peter aptly summarized this situation when he is recorded as saying:
Acts 10:34, 35 - Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.
APPENDIX - Non-exclusive Israel
Note that while Israel was chosen as the instrument to tell and show the world of God’s saving grace, salvation was always available to all people. Indeed, the Old Testament contains many examples of foreigners becoming part of Israel, indicating that the Israelite Covenant was open to all and was never exclusive. For example:
Thus, it is abundantly clear that membership of Israel was always open to all and voluntary.
What is the scope of Peter’s statement in Acts 10:35?
God is not partial.
Jews did not enter the houses of Gentiles, Peter however affected by the vision entered the house of Cornelius and after he related what happened, Peter was moved and declared:
In Acts 10:35
“in every nation, the man who fears [God] and does what is right is welcome to Him.”
Peter said these words because he had just seen how God’s own hand directed matters so that a family of Gentiles, formerly considered unclean and unacceptable, became acceptable to Him.
God is not partial, He places no significance on color, ethnicity, language, or national group, anyone who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.
Galatians 3:26-28 NASB
26 For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is [a]neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Revelation 7:9-10 NASB
A Multitude from the Tribulation
9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all the tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10 and they *cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
