Why does Peter say Jesus is "Lord of all" (Acts 10:36)?
The people Cornelius had gathered at his house were gentiles. Peter is
telling them that in one sense, Jesus is Lord of both Jews and gentiles, but
in the more general sense that He is Lord of all human beings.
How can Jesus be the Lord of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists,
and atheists who don't believe in Him?
He is their Lord too because all of them were created by Him and for
Him: "For by Him all things were created that are in
heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or
dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him
and for Him" (Colossians 1:16).
What if some of them don't acknowledge that?
All of them will end up acknowledging Jesus is Lord. The only question
is from where they will acknowledge it: "10
... at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11
and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ
is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians
2:10-11).
What is meant by "under the earth" (Philippians 2:10)?
In context, καταχθονιων (katachthonion), the
original Greek word translated "under the earth,"
refers to the underworld. The knees of those in the underworld belong to
those who have died and are in hell.
Of the three places referred to in Philippians 2:10 -
heaven, earth and hell -
which is the least desirable place from which to recognize and confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord?
How does Peter know that those gathered "know" (Acts
10:37) about Jesus and His earthly ministry?
Peter had just "talked with" (Acts
10:27) Cornelius (see
Peter and Cornelius),
as well as with his emissaries since he met them two days earlier.
How is Peter's knowledge of Jesus different from theirs?
While they had only heard about Jesus, Peter and the brethren who
accompanied him were witnesses: "we are witnesses of all
things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem" (Acts 10:39).
To how many people did Jesus appear after His resurrection?
Over 500: "After that He was seen by over five hundred
brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some
have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:6).
Were they over five hundred random people?
Jesus appeared "not to all people, but to
witnesses chosen before by God" (Acts 10:41).
Is it true that they even "ate and drank with Him after He
arose from the dead" (Acts 10:41)?
See
Peace be with you and
Jesus.