The Impartiality of God

[Arial]

Acts 10:34-35 So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him."

This passage is often used to opposed the Reformed position that God elects (chooses) those who he will save. With it comes the cry, "That's not fair!" Usually accompanied by all sorts of accusations against the character of God as to what this unfairness would do to one attribute of God---love. As though none of the other attributes exist.

The scripture quote however, occurred in a particular situation and at the very beginning of the establishing of Christ's church, the gathering of his people. Peter was up on the roof praying and grew hungry but fell asleep before the food was ready. In a vision he saw a sheet filled with animals including those that were forbidden by the Law as food. God commanded him, "Kill and eat." A very astonishing thing to hear. Peter refused saying that the had never eaten anything common or unclean. To which the voice Peter heard said, "What God has made clean, do not call common."

Later he was sent to the Gentile Cornelius, also astonishing because it was unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation. This is when Peter spoke the words of 34-35, and then he preached the gospel to Cornelius and his household. Even as he was speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard, with the same evidence that was given at Pentecost. Showing that salvation through believing in the Savior was not something available only to Jews, but to all nations.

So when it says there is no partiality with God, it means just that: Jesus came to save people, bringing them into the kingdom of the Son, from all nations and all walks of life. It cannot be denied that God shows partiality in other areas. He chose Abraham and not everyone else. He chose the descendants of Jacob over the descendants of Esau. He chose the descendants of Jacob over all other nations. He chose David over all his brothers. Etc. etc. God is always choosing, which is partiality, in the sense of not all being treated equally. And he has that right, no matter how a person feels about it. What is "fair" in our eyes, or just in our eyes, is utterly beside the point.

So, that being said: When a person who all their life has been taught that it was their choice apart from the working of the Holy Spirit, and that all without exception have equal ability to choose or reject trust in Christ, and who, for whatever reason rebel at letting go of that, I say there is a better way than focusing on the election part, when dealing with the issue. Jesus says, "Believe and you will be saved." Look at what it is you believe about Christ, not anything or everything else. About his person. Who he is. What he did. How he did it. Look at the other doctrines, involved with looking at him for salvation. The atonement. Justification. Propitiation. Look at the cross. It is election that determines what you believe, not what you choose by your fallen flesh, that determines your election. If you believe the person and work of Jesus, there is nothing to fear in coming to understand the full power of God in your salvation, the very personal love in it; there is much to be gained as your knowledge of God now has a place to grow.

And there will be far less chance of using a scripture incorrectly simply to support an untenable position as the opening passage is used. That passage within its context and in the sentence itself is very clear what Peter means by impartiality.

 

[fastfredy0]

The Impartiality of God​

From man's point of view God is not impartial. God favors the Jewish people.
Matthew 15:24 "He answered, 'I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.'
Matthew 15:27, where a Canaanite woman, whose daughter was demon-possessed, asks Jesus for help. Jesus, referring to the Jews, says that it is not right to take the "children's bread" and give it to the "dogs," implying that his healing power is primarily for the Jewish people.
Isaiah 43:14 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, Or has taught Him as His counselor?
Romans 9:11 and though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything either good or bad, so that God’s purpose [His choice, His election] would stand, not because of works [done by either child], but because of [the plan of] Him who calls them
Yada, yada
.... yet, God is impartial for He is unaffected by what men do. Job 35:7-8 God is only partial to Himself (perfection)
...there is no creaturely characteristic to favor that God did not place to be there. God alone predetermines the destiny of all people and things. It is true that God does not show favoritism, but this is because the characteristics of individuals are the workings of God and not the individual (Job 34:19 who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?). God favors the individuals for the characteristics He placed in them. 1 Corinthians 4:7 "Who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" And if in fact you received it [from God or someone else], why do you boast as if you had not received it [but had gained it by yourself]? It is popular to assume that the love of God is universal. The Bible says, "God does not show favoritism" (Romans 2:11); however, this means that the impassible God does not dispense his favor according to some irrelevant condition found in his creatures; rather, the conditions of the creature is God’s creation which He rewards.

... no one can boast of himself to the Lord, just give thanks

 

[ReverendRV]

The Impartiality of God​

From man's point of view God is not impartial. God favors the Jewish people.
Matthew 15:24 "He answered, 'I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.'
Matthew 15:27, where a Canaanite woman, whose daughter was demon-possessed, asks Jesus for help. Jesus, referring to the Jews, says that it is not right to take the "children's bread" and give it to the "dogs," implying that his healing power is primarily for the Jewish people.
Isaiah 43:14 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, Or has taught Him as His counselor?
Romans 9:11 and though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything either good or bad, so that God’s purpose [His choice, His election] would stand, not because of works [done by either child], but because of [the plan of] Him who calls them
Yada, yada

It's obvious that God is partial...

But through the Human Perspective, God is NOT partial. Both are true at the same time. So the question is; why did the Holy Ghost teach Us God is not partial, when he is? It is so we wouldn't be Prejudiced in ANY way. Since God is Providential, we should expect anyone we encounter, is meant to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ...