The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Episode: Day 331: Peter Preaches to the Gentiles
Date: November 27, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Key Readings: Acts 10, 1 Corinthians 1–2, Proverbs 27:21–22

Episode Overview

In this pivotal episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz explores one of the most radical and transformative moments in the early Church’s history: St. Peter’s encounter with Cornelius, marking the explicit inclusion of Gentiles into God’s covenant. The discussion weaves in themes of unity, humility, and the universality of salvation, as well as Paul’s teachings to the fractious Corinthian church. Fr. Mike brings out the drama, significance, and personal relevance of these passages with his characteristically relatable and energetic approach.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Peter’s Vision and the Inclusion of the Gentiles (Acts 10)

• Cornelius’ Vision: Cornelius, a Roman centurion and devout Gentile, receives an angelic vision instructing him to send for Peter.

• Peter’s Vision: Peter has a trance in which a heavenly sheet, filled with all kinds of animals, is lowered to him. He is commanded:
  "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."
  Peter refuses, citing kosher laws, but the voice replies:
  "What God has cleansed, you must not call common." (Acts 10:15)

• Interpretation and Action: Peter meets Cornelius, entering a Gentile home against Jewish custom. He realizes the vision means all people—not just Jews—are to be welcomed into God’s covenant.

• The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles: As Peter preaches, the Holy Spirit comes upon Cornelius and his household, who then speak in tongues and praise God. Peter sees this as divine approval to baptize them.

  "This is radical. This is Peter's first exposure, essentially...Jesus Christ has fulfilled the law, and now we're expanding to the Gentiles."
  (Fr. Mike, 21:10)

  "Can anyone forbid water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"
  (Acts 10:47, read by Fr. Mike, 11:40)

Notable Insight

• End of Kosher Laws:
  "If you ever wonder, why do we not observe the kosher laws of the Old Testament?...It starts right here in chapter 10 of the Acts of the Apostles."
  (Fr. Mike, 22:41)

• Symbolism: The reversal of food restrictions symbolizes God’s expansive embrace of all peoples into the Church.

2. Paul’s Letters to the Corinthians: Divisions and the Primacy of Christ (1 Cor 1–2)

• Opening Context: Paul, writing to a fractured church, appeals for unity:
  "I appeal to you, brethren...that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment." (1 Cor 1:10, 16:45)
• Factions in the Church: Different groups claim allegiance to various leaders—Paul, Apollos, Kepha (Peter), or Christ Himself—which fractures the early Christian movement.
• Paul’s Response: Paul rejects these divisions:
  "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Cor 1:13)
• Focus on Christ Crucified: Paul distances himself from eloquent or philosophical preaching, insisting instead on the transformative power of Christ’s crucifixion:
  "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Cor 2:2)
• Wisdom of God vs. Human Wisdom: Paul emphasizes that the Gospel’s power comes from God, not from human wisdom or eloquence.
  "The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Cor 1:18)

Notable Insights and Quotes

• Humility and Unity:
  "Paul, he's talking about dissensions in the church and he sounds like he's ready to crack some skulls."
  (Fr. Mike, 26:45)

• Background on Apollos and "Kepha": Fr. Mike explains Apollos was a skilled orator, Cephas (Kepha) means "rock" and refers to Peter.
  "Kepha sounds actually more close to what it would be called in Hebrew or Aramaic... By the way, Kepha means Peter."
  (Fr. Mike, 25:48)

• Warning Against Losing Focus:
  "If I forget Jesus Christ and him crucified, I'm going to miss the point."
  (Fr. Mike, 28:40)

• Faith Rooted in God's Power:
  "My speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power. So that your faith might not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God."
  (1 Cor 2:4, cited by Fr. Mike, 29:15)

3. Corinth as a Challenging Mission Field

• Setting: Fr. Mike compares ancient Corinth to “the Las Vegas of that era”—a city of temptations, difficult for spiritual growth.
• Paul’s Mission Method: After limited success with intellectual discourse in Athens, Paul reaches out to the Corinthians with unadorned proclamation of Christ, relying on the Spirit’s power and not human eloquence.

4. Proverbs Reflection (Proverbs 27:21–22)

• Testing and Folly:
  "The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is judged by his praise. Crush a fool in a mortar...yet his folly will not depart from him."
• Emphasizes character is revealed under pressure and foolishness is difficult to eradicate.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This is radical. ...It’s a big deal. ...We’re not going to stop the Holy Spirit. And why prevent them from being baptized since they’ve been given the Holy Spirit just like we’ve been given the Holy Spirit? It’s a big deal.”
  — Fr. Mike, commenting on the Gentiles’ inclusion (21:10)

• “It is bananas. And what a gift.”
  — Fr. Mike on the astounding action of the Holy Spirit (23:26)

• “If I forget Jesus Christ and him crucified, I’m going to miss the point.”
  — Fr. Mike, on the centrality of the cross (28:40)

• “Tomorrow we’re going to talk about a little bit more in that dissension ... those factions, those teams in the Corinthian church. But also there are a lot of people who are not living. Corinth was a pretty bad place ... and pretty dangerous if you want to be a holy person.”
  — Fr. Mike, preview of next episode’s focus (31:22)

Key Timestamps

• [04:30] Acts 10 Reading—Peter and Cornelius
• [11:30] Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit and Baptism
• [14:05] 1 Corinthians 1 Reading—Paul’s greeting and call for unity
• [18:50] 1 Cor 2 Reading—Paul’s humility and reliance on the Spirit
• [20:40] Fr. Mike’s commentary begins: radical nature of Peter’s vision
• [23:26] The moment described as “bananas” and incredible
• [24:50] Corinth’s context and Paul’s method
• [26:45] Division in Corinth, “cracking skulls”
• [28:40] Importance of remembering Christ crucified
• [31:22] Tease for next episode and closing reflection

Summary Structure

• Peter’s vision shows God’s embrace of all people and marks the fulfillment and transformation of Old Testament laws.
• Paul addresses division in the early church, insisting unity is rooted in Christ alone, not personalities or preachers.
• The Holy Spirit’s action is the ultimate guide and source of power—not human eloquence or wisdom.
• Ancient context (Corinth, Peter’s evangelization) is made relatable to modern listeners.
• Proverbs reminds listeners that true character is revealed under praise and pressure.

For Listeners

Fr. Mike’s energy, humility, and deep reverence make this episode an inspiring and clarifying exploration of a crucial chapter in Christian history. The central message: The Holy Spirit is unstoppable, God’s love is boundless, and our unity rests in the crucified and risen Christ—not in secondary loyalties or human wisdom.

“If I forget Jesus Christ and him crucified, I’m going to miss the point.” (28:40)

Praying for all listeners—see you tomorrow!