What does Acts 10:25 mean?

Peter has arrived at the home of Cornelius, an Italian centurion who faithfully worships the Jewish God. An angel has told Cornelius that Peter has something to tell him. Peter doesn't know what, yet, but he has obediently come to see what the Gentile commander needs. Peter certainly didn't expect a Roman military leader to suddenly fall at his feet in worship.

It is a difficult thing to be a Christian church leader. The culture often doesn't like what you stand for, church members sometimes don't like how you stand for it, and your family can get caught in the middle. It's not uncommon to watch pastors chase admiration and approval instead of guiding their people into truth. Approval is not only a rest from the constant struggle, it builds up a leader's confidence—and ego. Jesus promised the disciples the world would hate and persecute them (John 15:18–25). Many of us would understand had Peter wanted to bask in this moment.

But he doesn't. He knows that worship is for God, alone, and he's not God. Later, Barnabas and Paul will barely avoid people from Lystra sacrificing to them as embodiments of Zeus and Hermes. They will tear their clothes and beg the people to stop (Acts 14:8–18). Decades later, the apostle John will mistakenly fall at the feet of an angel. The angel will respond, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God." (Revelation 19:10).

It's important to remember that only God—not our pastors, our elders, TV personalities, authors, politicians, or even ourselves—deserves our worship.