The Gospel for All Nations – Including Gentiles Like Cornelius
"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.’” (Acts 10:34-35)
Acts 10 is a profound chapter that shows God’s grace extending to the Gentiles, shattering ethnic barriers. The story of Cornelius—a Roman centurion—proves that salvation is for all nations. This challenges Hebrew Israelite theology, which denies the inclusion of Gentiles, particularly white Gentiles, in God's plan of redemption. Let’s examine why their arguments fail and why the Bible affirms the universality of the gospel.
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Cornelius: A Gentile by Every Standard
The Greek in Acts 10 is decisive. When Peter speaks in Acts 10:28, he says:
“It is unlawful for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation (allophulos, ἀλλόφυλος).”
The word allophulos specifically refers to someone of another ethnicity. This is not a term for dispersed Israelites but for Gentiles, as seen throughout the Septuagint. For example, the Philistines—a well-known Gentile people—are called allophuloi:
“The Philistines (allophuloi) fought against Israel” (1 Samuel 17:1, LXX).
Cornelius, described with the same term, is undeniably a Gentile, just like the Philistines. His identity as a Roman centurion—a high-ranking officer in the occupying Gentile force—makes this even clearer. To argue that Cornelius was an Israelite contradicts the plain meaning of the text and historical reality.
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Peter’s Unlawful Act: Breaking Jewish Tradition
Peter’s reaction reinforces this interpretation. He says in Acts 10:28:
“You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a Gentile.”
This is a direct acknowledgment of Jewish laws and customs forbidding contact with non-Jews. If Cornelius were an Israelite, Peter’s statement would make no sense. The entire narrative of Acts 10 hinges on the fact that Cornelius was a Gentile, and Peter's actions broke deeply ingrained Jewish norms to obey God’s command.
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Hebrew Israelite Proof Texts: Debunking the Misuse of Deuteronomy 28:68
Hebrew Israelites often cite Deuteronomy 28:68 to claim the transatlantic slave trade fulfills prophecy:
“And the LORD will bring you back to Egypt in ships... and there you shall be offered for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will buy you.”
This interpretation fails for several reasons:
1. Historical Context of Deuteronomy 28:68
The verse speaks of a return to Egypt, not to America or another far-off land. Egypt is repeatedly used in the Bible as a symbol of bondage for Israel. The Israelites were taken back to Egypt as slaves during periods of conquest, such as the Babylonian and Roman occupations.
2. "No One Will Buy You"
The phrase “no one will buy you” means that no one would redeem or rescue them from slavery, a fulfillment seen in Israel's history. During Roman times, thousands of Jewish captives were sold into slavery after the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. The slave markets were so flooded that slaves were often unwanted—matching the prophecy perfectly.
3. The Transatlantic Slave Trade
While the transatlantic slave trade was a tragic and horrific event, it does not align with the specifics of Deuteronomy 28:68. The verse refers to a return to Egypt and includes the absence of buyers, which does not fit the historical reality of the transatlantic slave trade, where slaves were purchased in large numbers.
Historical Evidence: The True Hebrews
The historical record overwhelmingly shows that modern Jews are descendants of the ancient Israelites:
1. Genetic Studies
Genetic research confirms a shared ancestry among Jewish populations worldwide, tracing back to the Middle East. These studies align with the biblical account of Israel's dispersion.
2. Archaeology
Ancient Hebrew inscriptions, coins, and other artifacts link the Jewish people to the land of Israel and their biblical heritage.
3. Historical Continuity
From the destruction of the Second Temple to the present day, Jews have maintained their identity, traditions, and connection to the Torah. There is no historical evidence to support the claim that the true Israelites were replaced by another group.
God’s Plan for All Nations
The Bible repeatedly emphasizes that God’s salvation extends to all people, not just Israel:
“And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 22:18).
“I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6).
In the New Testament, Paul reaffirms this truth:
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
Cornelius, as a Gentile, is living proof that God’s promise to bless all nations is fulfilled in Christ.
The Inescapable Truth
The Hebrew Israelite theology collapses under scrutiny:
Cornelius was a Gentile, explicitly described as such in Acts 10.
Deuteronomy 28:68 refers to historical events, not the transatlantic slave trade.
The historical and genetic evidence supports the identity of modern Jews as the descendants of the ancient Israelites.
God’s grace is for all people, regardless of ethnicity. The gospel is the ultimate expression of God’s love, extended to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
If Cornelius, a Gentile like the Philistines, was saved by God’s grace, so can you. Turn to Christ today and receive the salvation that is freely given to all who believe.
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