"God Is No Respecter Of Persons"
July 1, 1998 Issue
by Virgilio 0. Danao

Sometimes this statement is used as a basis of some "so-called preachers of the gospel," in claiming that what ever religious affiliation a person has is not important, for God will "choose or pick-up" those whom He will save from all existing sects and denominations today. If this claim is not investigated in the light of the Scriptures, it appears to be biblical. But what does the Bible say? I would like, therefore, to call your attention to ponder and search the Scriptures with me, and find out whether such a claim is scriptural.

What Does The Context Say?

First, in order to fully understand the statement -- "God is no respecter of persons" (KJV) -- let us examine the context of the passages where this is found. Carefully scrutinizing the entire Chapter Ten of the Acts of the Apostles, we can clearly see the reasons who Peter made this statement. Bear in mind, at the time, he was engaged in a conversation with Cornelius and his household. Also, it is important to note that Cornelius was a Gentile. Before, in Gods sight, there were only TWO CLASSES OF MAN: the Jews; and the Gentiles. The Jews (or Israelites) are the descendants of Jacob; and anybody (--whether a Filipino, Chinese, American, etc.--) who is not a Jew is a Gentile. Cornelius and his household were not Jews, so they were Gentiles.

In the Old Testament, the Jews were considered God's people, while the Gentiles were "afar off." Many of them did not believe in the Almighty God. Paul said: "Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenant of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" (Esh. 2:11-12). Before they heard and obeyed the Gospel, the Gentiles were far from Almighty God.

But the case of Cornelius was unusual. For though he was a Gentile, he was a "devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always" (Acts 10:2). God heard his prayers. This led the Apostle Peter to his household. To Cornelius and those who were gathered together in his house, Peter said: "You known 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 showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 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? And Cornelius said 'Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth house, I prayed in my house, and, behold a man stood before me in bright clothing. And said, Cornelius, they prayer is heard, and thine alms are hand in remembrance in the sight of God. 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. 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" (Acts 10:28-33).

Based on what Cornelius has explained, immediately Peter perceived that God has already opened the gate of salvation to the Gentiles. Not anymore that the Jews only had the privilege and right to become Gods people: For the fact that He heard the prayers of Cornelius, a Gentile who has no "promise" being "afar-off from God, proves beyond a shadow of doubt, that now God has also bestowed to them the same opportunity the Jews enjoyed. And be-cause of this, Peter said, "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" (Acts 10:34-35). This proves the Gentiles are now included, and are given the chance to become citizens, members, of the Kingdom and be saved! THIS IS THE REAL ESSENCE of Peters statement, "God is no respecter of persons," for there is no more Jew, or Gentile before Him. Both can now obtain and enjoy salvation!

Present Application Of The Statement

God is no respecter of persons to those who want to be saved! Whoever a person may be--very rich or a beggar, educated or illiterate, blind, mute, etc..., regardless of color and nationality--if he is willing to surrender to God, and obey His commandments, God is ready to bestow upon him the promise of salvation. It is not only those who are wealthy, beautiful, handsome, influential, etc..., who have the opportunity or privilege to be saved! In short, salvation is now offered to all. But only those who want to avail themselves of this wonderful opportunity--those who want to obey the will of God--will be saved! This was understood by Cornelius. That was why, when he was told, he and his household, humbly obeyed and were immersed in Christian baptism (Acts 10:42-48).

God does not show partiality to those who are members of any existing denomination. He will accept and promise them salvation, it they want to turn to Him. Provided, of course, that they are willing to relinquish their membership in such religious bodies, and be added to the true Church of Christ. Let us remember, there is but one way that connects men to God in Heaven. This spiritual way is our Lord Jesus Christ. He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). Take note, "I am the way..." This connotes that the way is His body. But it is not His physical body. It is His spiritual body, which is the Church. Paul substantiated this truth. He wrote: "Who now rejoice, in my sufferings for you, and fill us that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the Church" (Col. 1:24). This is the only way we must follow to be able to enter God's Kingdom in Heaven. Whoever desires (for God is no respecter of persons) can follow this way by becoming a faithful member of the glorious spiritual body of Christ, the Church of Christ.

Some Pervert This Statement

However, today there are those who are perverting this statement, making it contrary to its meaning, in so far as its usage in Acts 10. Using this is their exerted efforts to show that their teaching regarding salvation is true (?), they claim, as earlier pointed out, that since "God is no respecter of persons," God will "pick-up, select or choose," those whom He will save from the different existing sects and denominations today. But as is shown already, their claim is not scriptural. For, contrary to their beliefs, Peters statement means the gate of heaven is already opened, and salvation is NOW OFFERED to both the Jews and Gentiles, for everybody!

Moreover, it is not because that "God is no respecter of persons," that all men will then be saved! This reasoning is absurd. This only supports ones opinion which endorses universal salvation--everybody will be saved! The fact is, the Bible clearly teaches that there will be two separate places where man may spend eternity after the final judgment day! Our Lord Jesus Himself (as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew) gives us a very vivid account of the event that will take place on the day of judgment. He says, "When the Son of Man comes in His glory and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. Then the King will say to those on His right hand. 'Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world...Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the ever lasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels ...And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" (Matt. 25:31-34,41, 46). So, there are those who will not be saved!

Furthermore, being a sincere member of a certain denomination is not a guarantee for one to claim the promise of salvation even though "God is no respecter of persons." On the day of judgment, there will be honest and sincere members of religious bodies, who claim to have powers to do miraculous things such as powers to heal sickness, to speak in tongues, and the like--who will say to the Great Judge, our Lord Jesus: "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works" (Matt. 7:22). But the Lord will say to them, "I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (V. 23). Let us remember, only those who will obey His will be saved!

Warning!

Your soul is at stake if you are not a member of the true Church of Christ, but a part of a certain sect or denomination. In this case, you are following a way, entering a door, not authorized by God. Jesus warns, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber" (John 10:1). Extricate yourself from this very dangerous situation! In behalf of our soul, in the name of salvation, take heed to the pleadings of God, in His infinite love, mercy and grace, "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues" (Rev. 18:4). Take note, God is calling His people to "come out." Where? Actually, the principle and application maybe referred to all existing religious bodies--sects and denominations today. Why? So that they may stop being partakers of their sins, and may evade eternal punishment. GOD SHOULD NOT BE CALLING HIS PEOPLE TO "COME OUT," IF HE WILL "PICK, CHOOSE OR SELECT" FROM THE DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS BODIES THOSE WHOM HE WILL SAVE. Instead, He should exhort them to remain faithful and steadfast! Dear reader, if you are a member of a denomination God is ready to accept you and grant to you salvation. Provided, of course, you come out of your present religious affiliation and become a part of the true Church of Christ, the only spiritual way that leads you to heaven. How ever you are, avail yourself of this wonderful opportunity opened for you and those whose only spiritual obsession in life, is to be able to reach heaven and be saved! Do not believe what some so-called preachers of the gospel claim that God will "pick-up, choose or select" those whom He will save from the different sects and denominations today. This claim is not true, as we have already clearly pointed out. This is not in harmony with the teaching of the Bible. Remember, there is only one way that can bring us all to heaven. This is the spiritual body of Jesus, the Church of Christ. You can never go to heaven by following the other way!

How to follow the way, is very easy to do: First, you have to have faith in Christ Jesus, the Son of the living God (Act 8:37; mark 16:16), and this you obtained by hearing or listening to the preaching of the word of God (Rom. 10:17); Second: You must repent of your sins (Luke 13:3, Acts 17:30), "for all have come short" of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23); Third: you must confess your faith in Jesus (Acts 8:37, Rom. 10:8-9); Fourth: You must be immersed in water (in baptism) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38, 22:16, Mark 16:16); Fifth: Remain a faithful member of the Church until death (John 15:7, Rev. 2:10, Matt. 24:13). Dear reader, today is the appropriate day for salvation! Tomorrow may be too late! Now that you have still the strength to obey what God wants you to do. Remember, God is waiting for your return to Him, whoever you are. For "God is no respecter of persons."