A Christ for All: Easter Reflections on Acts 10:34-43

March 29, 2012 by John Holbert

Continued from Page 1

He seals the sermon's theme with the following hallowed words: "In truth, I am grasping (beginning to understand) that God is no respecter of appearances (shows no partiality). Rather in every nation the one who fears God and acts righteously is acceptable to him" (10:34-35). Thus, Cornelius, a Roman soldier and a Gentile, stands in the same relationship to God as does Peter, as do those lowly slaves, as does the Jewish assembly. And the reason that is so is because though "they put Jesus to death by hanging him on a tree, God raised him on the third day" (10:39-40). And that is one of the reasons we celebrate Easter with lilies and trumpets and eggs and candy and the Hallelujah Chorus. Because God has no interest, does not recognize, distinctions and differences that we create on the earth. Paul had it right, "In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female" (Gal. 3:28). In Christ, there is neither Republican nor Democrat, citizen nor undocumented visitor, gay nor straight, for all are one in Christ Jesus. Now there is a reason to sing on Easter!

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3/29/2012 4:00:00 AM

Preachers

Opening The Old Testament

Easter

Inclusivity

Kosher

Preaching Resources

Prejudice

Progressive Christianity

Racism

Sacred Texts

Christianity

Judaism

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About John Holbert

John C. Holbert is the Lois Craddock Perkins Professor Emeritus of Homiletics at Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, TX.

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