What does Acts 10:33 mean?
Peter is in Caesarea Maritima at the home of a Roman centurion named Cornelius. Cornelius is explaining how a few days before an angel appeared to him and told him to send for Peter, who was thirty-five miles south in Joppa. Peter came—largely because the Holy Spirit told him to. When he arrived, Cornelius fell at his feet in worship. Peter told him to get up and explain why he was there (Acts 10:1–29).When Peter came deeper into the house, he realized it was filled with people. Cornelius had called his relatives and friends, undoubtedly including some of the soldiers (Acts 10:7, 24). It's unclear if everyone there is a devout follower of the Jewish God, but they're about to become Jesus-followers (Acts 10:44).
This is the first recorded gathering of Gentiles listening to the testimony of Jesus. Jesus had told Peter and the other disciples that they would be His witnesses to Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). This was always God's plan, ever since He took Abraham out of Ur (Genesis 12:1–3). Such an open invitation to share the gospel doesn't often happen, especially with such a receptive audience. Likely, this moment informs Peter's words later: "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15).
