Acts 10, 21-35

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.

Dear congregation,

The sermon text takes us back to the time of the first Christian communities. The Acts of the Apostles, written by Luke, tells us how the Gospel spread, how communities formed, and how Christianity slowly developed. Theological questions were clarified. We also read much about this in the letters written by Paul. And yes, it was about membership issues and structures, and in the broadest sense, the first church doctrines. Back then, everything was new and nothing was self-evident. 

Today, some of the insights from that time are not new, but they are still not self-evident. 

Listen for yourselves:

Acts 10, 21-35

21 Then Peter went down to the men and said, “Look, it is I whom you are looking for. Why are you here?”

22 They replied, “Cornelius the centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man, well-regarded by all the Jews, received a message from a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear what you have to say.”

23 So he invited them in and welcomed them.

The next day he set out with them, and some brothers from Joppa went with him.

24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends.

25 When Peter arrived, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet and worshiped him.

26 Peter lifted him up and said, “Stand up; I too am a man.”

27 While he was talking with him, he went into the house and found a large crowd gathered there.

28 And he said to them, “You know that it is not lawful for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner; but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.

29 Therefore, when I was summoned, I did not refuse to come. So, I ask you now, why did you summon me?” 

30 Cornelius said, “Four days ago at this time, around the ninth hour, I was praying in my house. Suddenly, a man stood before me, clothed in shining garments,

31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms have been remembered before God.

32 Now send for Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter, who is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.’

33 I sent for you immediately, and you were right to come. Now we are all here before God to hear everything the Lord has commanded you to do.

34 Peter opened his mouth and said, “Now I truly understand that God does not show favoritism,

35 but in every nation whoever fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”

Sometimes I'm asked, "Isn't it difficult to be a pastor?" I then ask in return why it should be difficult. Often the answer is, "You're dealing with so many people. Everyone is different!"

And that, dear congregation, is one of the most beautiful and rewarding aspects of my profession.

For six years, I headed the Ecumenism and Mission Department in the Lippe Regional Church. This department also deals with partnerships worldwide among the churches we are connected with. It's about being together in associations like the Lutheran World Federation and the Reformed Church Fellowship. It's about the common interests of Christians in Europe. These are just a few of the topics.

Over the past six years, I've had ample opportunity to participate in conferences and visit partner churches.

I returned from every trip and every meeting a little richer and also changed. Wherever we were guests, whether in Poland or Lithuania, Romania or South Africa, Ghana or Togo, or anywhere in Asia, we were warmly welcomed.

There was a palpable sense of connection. A great joy that we belong together.

The reverse was equally true: sometimes we invited our worldwide partners to a conference in our small Lippe regional church.

We developed a format called "Different Perspectives" - in other words, we asked our partners what they saw and perceived when they were with us. They served as a mirror for us and a corrective.

Yes, I have wonderful memories from this field of work, and I experience something similar in a smaller way in every congregation. It's by no means a given that different people can cultivate a deep sense of community and be there for one another.

That is one of the greatest miracles of our faith.

Let's take a closer look at today's sermon text: what do I notice?

Two men in different places, both praying to their respective Gods: Cornelius and Peter. They don't yet know about each other. But they are needed by God. God brings them together.

Peter had already realized for himself, or at least he had dared to think the thought: With God, there is no partiality. This was by no means a given, because even to this day, people all over the world pray to different gods: at least, that's how it seems. But Peter had already experienced on his journey with Jesus that in their community of disciples it was not so much about what they had done before, where they lived and came from, and what professions they had learned, but rather it was about the common goal: the proclamation of the Kingdom of God – as comfort and hope.

Peter had seen a great deal, and don't forget, the Acts of the Apostles begins with the great miracle of Pentecost. It tells the story of Jewish people who came from all corners of the world and spoke different languages—yet the Spirit moved them, and they all—despite their different languages—could understand what was happening.

Now we are taking a step further. Cornelius is not Jewish. He becomes the first baptized Christian. He was an educated, respected man who knew and followed the rules of society.

But through his faith, his perspective and perception changed. What had previously seemed impossible became conceivable: Jews and Christians belong together. They believe in the one God.

For me, this is one of the most important ideas and one of the most beautiful experiences we Christians bring into the world: a unity of people in Christ that makes it possible to overcome what divides us.

Yet we humans struggle with this: to accept people without prejudice. Oh, how often do we allow ourselves to be guided and even misled by the reputation of others.

How deeply ingrained in our collective consciousness is the notion that some people are more important and better than others.

If you ask yourself, can you honestly say: the reputation, the appearance of a person does not matter?

A few weeks after Christmas, during the Epiphany season, this is once again emphasized and prominently displayed in today’s text: "God has shown me that I should not call anyone unclean or ignorant!"

Peter is sent to someone he shouldn't have anything to do with. And the miracle that happens here: he allows himself to be sent.

"Now I truly understand that God does not show favoritism!" Peter's thought doesn't remain a thought but becomes an experience. This is what characterizes our faith: Our faith is not a mere intellectual exercise—with our faith, we truly have experiences.

I hardly need to emphasize how far we are removed from this truth and reality. Sad stories come to mind: the battles and wars, the bullying and rejection, the condemnation and prejudice.

No, in this world, we humans are often far removed from Peter's experience.

But I don't want to emphasize what doesn't work. I want to search, like a detective, for instances where prejudice has been overcome - for example, at the DSP. My friend Stefanie, who was here recently, has a biological son and a South African adopted daughter. When they lived in Germany, Onna-Lenna always stood out.

When they lived in South Africa, Marius always seemed a little lost. Both are now young adults, and what they remember is: At the DSP, neither of us stood out. We could just be ourselves.

I have had many such ecumenical experiences: encounters in the worldwide partnership – which arose as a large peace movement after World War II. Oh, how wonderful it is to breathe in that spirit of unity and to come together so naturally.

Indeed, we Christians have a mission: not so much to expand our churches, but to bring about reconciliation and peace everywhere in the world.

Go in search of inspiring stories: of reconciliation in Rwanda, where overcoming feelings of guilt becomes possible through organisations working for reconciliation and peace, of working at memorial sites, and of supporting aid programs throughout the world.

How wonderful that Cornelius and Peter prayed, and that prayer was the moment when change began. Yes, let us pray like this—let us live fully in God's presence and trust that we may be surprised by new insights.

In Holy Communion, we celebrate this fellowship—the unity of East and West, of North and South.

Come with gifts and songs of praise!

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.