Acts 10:43

Commentary on Acts 10:43

“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:43, King James Version)

1. Concise Takeaway

Acts 10:43 declares that Jesus Christ is the fulfilment of all Old Testament prophecy and that forgiveness of sins is granted to every person who believes in him, without distinction. This verse stands at the turning point of Acts 10, where the gospel breaks through ethnic and cultural boundaries and reveals the universal scope of God’s saving grace.

2. Exegetical Commentary

The immediate context: Peter in Cornelius’s house

Acts 10[i] records a watershed moment in salvation history. God brings together two men—Peter, a Jewish apostle, and Cornelius, a Gentile centurion—through visions and providential timing. The chapter culminates in Peter preaching the gospel to a Gentile household.

Key verses shaping the context include:

• Acts 10:34–35
  “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” Peter recognises that God’s saving work is not restricted to Israel.
• Acts 10:36
  “The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all).” The gospel is rooted in Israel’s story but extends to all nations.

The meaning of Acts 10:43

The verse contains three major theological claims.

1. “To him give all the prophets witness”

Peter asserts that the entire Old Testament bears testimony to Jesus Christ. This is consistent with Jesus’s own teaching:

• Luke 24:27
  “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”

The prophets pointed forward to:

• a coming Messiah
• a suffering servant
• a new covenant
• a universal blessing to the nations

Peter’s statement is not a proof-texting exercise; it is a claim about the whole sweep of redemptive history.

2. “Through his name”

In biblical thought, a name represents the person, authority, and work of the one who bears it. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone, not through moral effort, religious heritage, or cultural identity.

This echoes Peter’s earlier declaration:

• Acts 4:12
  “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

3. “Whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins”

This is the heart of the gospel:

• “Whosoever”
  — the offer is universal
• “Believeth”
  — the means is faith, not works
• “Shall receive”
  — salvation is a gift
• “Remission of sins”
  — the result is full forgiveness

This is the same gospel Paul later proclaims:

• Romans 10:11–12
  “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek.”

The theological significance

Acts 10:43 stands at the hinge of the chapter. It is the climactic statement of Peter’s sermon, and immediately after it:

• Acts 10:44
  “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.”

The Spirit confirms the truth of the message by granting faith and new life to Gentile hearers. The gospel is not merely preached to the nations; it is received by them.

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3. Meditation Guide for Christian Living
“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”

A. Christ is the centre of Scripture

Meditate on how the Old Testament points to Jesus. Ask:

• How does this passage deepen my confidence in the unity of Scripture?
• Where do I see Christ foreshadowed in the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms?

B. The gospel is for all people

Reflect on the radical inclusiveness of “whosoever.” Ask:

• Are there people I subconsciously consider “unlikely” candidates for grace?
• How might God be calling me to cross cultural, social, or personal boundaries for the sake of the gospel?

C. Faith alone receives forgiveness

Sit with the simplicity and profundity of “believeth in him.” Ask:

• Am I resting in Christ alone, or subtly trusting in my own performance?
• How does the assurance of “remission of sins” shape my daily walk, my relationships, and my service?

D. The Spirit confirms the Word

Acts 10 shows the Spirit working through the preached Word. Ask:

• Do I expect the Spirit to work through Scripture in my life?
• How can I cultivate a posture of openness and obedience to the Spirit’s leading?

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4. Practical Application for Modern Christian Living

1. Embrace gospel-shaped hospitality

Peter entered a Gentile home despite cultural discomfort. Modern believers are called to welcome others across lines of ethnicity, class, and background.

2. Share the gospel with clarity and confidence

Peter’s message was simple: Christ fulfils Scripture, and forgiveness comes through faith in him. We do not need to be clever; we need to be faithful.

3. Reject subtle forms of partiality

Acts 10 confronts prejudice head-on. In workplaces, churches, and communities, Christians must model God’s impartial love.

4. Rest in the assurance of forgiveness

“Remission of sins” is not a vague hope but a present reality. This frees believers from guilt, fuels joyful obedience, and strengthens perseverance.

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[i] Acts 10

King James Version

10 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate,

18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain