Is Goodness Enough for Salvation? What Acts 10 Teaches About Faith in Jesus
Is Explicit Faith Necessary for Salvation in Jesus? (Acts 10:34–43)
Is it enough to be good? Is it enough to be religious? Is it enough to be sincere? Acts 10 gives us a front-row seat to a life-changing moment in church history, when the gospel broke through barriers of culture, religion, and man-made rules. The question at the center is this: Do you have to personally believe in Jesus to be saved? The short answer? Yes. Scripture makes clear that explicit faith in Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation. Acts 10:34–43 shows us why.
When Good Isn’t Enough, God Sends the Gospel
Cornelius, a Roman centurion in Caesarea, was described as a devout man who feared God, prayed regularly, and gave generously to the poor (Acts 10:1–2). By every human measure, he was “good.” But being good wasn’t enough. If morality or religious devotion could save, Jesus never needed to come. Cornelius’s prayers and generosity were remembered by God, but salvation came only when he heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. Good works may earn us the applause of men, but only faith in Christ secures eternal life. As Paul writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Takeaway: If goodness could save us, there would be no need for the cross. But the gospel is God’s answer when good isn’t enough.
When Religion Isn’t Enough, God Breaks Our Rules
Peter, a faithful Jew, had been shaped by generations of traditions and boundaries that kept Jews and Gentiles apart. To enter a Gentile’s house was considered unlawful. But in a vision, God declared: “What God has made clean, do not call common” (Acts 10:15). In other words, the gospel is not confined by human boundaries. God Himself was breaking down walls between Jew and Gentile, not by discarding His holiness but by fulfilling it in Christ. Religion without Jesus is empty tradition. True salvation is not found in man-made rules but in the grace of God through Christ. Takeaway: When religion isn’t enough, God reminds us that the gospel is bigger than our customs. Salvation is not about our rules; it’s about Jesus.
When Sincerity Isn’t Enough, God Lifts Up the Name of Jesus
Sincerity is often praised in our culture. People say, “As long as you’re sincere, any faith will do.” But sincerity doesn’t save—Jesus does. Cornelius was sincere in his devotion, yet he still needed to hear the message of Christ. That’s why Peter preached: “To Him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name” (Acts 10:43). The Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius and his household, confirming that salvation had truly come. Sincerity wasn’t enough. Religion wasn’t enough. Goodness wasn’t enough. Only Jesus was enough. Takeaway: The gospel lifts up one name—Jesus Christ. Only He saves, and only through faith in Him can we be forgiven.
Why This Matters Today
In a world full of spirituality, self-help, and sincerity, Acts 10 reminds us of a timeless truth: salvation comes only through explicit faith in Jesus Christ. Programs, traditions, and good intentions may have their place, but the greatest evangelistic tool any church has is not a program—it’s a believer passionately persuaded that Jesus is enough. If you’re searching for God, don’t settle for being good, religious, or sincere. Turn to Christ, the one who died and rose again for you. As Jesus Himself said in John 14:6: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Final Word
Acts 10 isn’t just a story about Cornelius—it’s a story about us. Because of this moment, the gospel went to the nations. Because of this moment, churches like ours exist. And because of this moment, you can have life in Christ today. Question for you: Have you placed your faith in Jesus, not just in goodness, religion, or sincerity—but in Him alone? That’s the only way to salvation, and the only way to eternal life
Is it enough to be good? Is it enough to be religious? Is it enough to be sincere? Acts 10 gives us a front-row seat to a life-changing moment in church history, when the gospel broke through barriers of culture, religion, and man-made rules. The question at the center is this: Do you have to personally believe in Jesus to be saved? The short answer? Yes. Scripture makes clear that explicit faith in Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation. Acts 10:34–43 shows us why.
When Good Isn’t Enough, God Sends the Gospel
Cornelius, a Roman centurion in Caesarea, was described as a devout man who feared God, prayed regularly, and gave generously to the poor (Acts 10:1–2). By every human measure, he was “good.” But being good wasn’t enough. If morality or religious devotion could save, Jesus never needed to come. Cornelius’s prayers and generosity were remembered by God, but salvation came only when he heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. Good works may earn us the applause of men, but only faith in Christ secures eternal life. As Paul writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Takeaway: If goodness could save us, there would be no need for the cross. But the gospel is God’s answer when good isn’t enough.
When Religion Isn’t Enough, God Breaks Our Rules
Peter, a faithful Jew, had been shaped by generations of traditions and boundaries that kept Jews and Gentiles apart. To enter a Gentile’s house was considered unlawful. But in a vision, God declared: “What God has made clean, do not call common” (Acts 10:15). In other words, the gospel is not confined by human boundaries. God Himself was breaking down walls between Jew and Gentile, not by discarding His holiness but by fulfilling it in Christ. Religion without Jesus is empty tradition. True salvation is not found in man-made rules but in the grace of God through Christ. Takeaway: When religion isn’t enough, God reminds us that the gospel is bigger than our customs. Salvation is not about our rules; it’s about Jesus.
When Sincerity Isn’t Enough, God Lifts Up the Name of Jesus
Sincerity is often praised in our culture. People say, “As long as you’re sincere, any faith will do.” But sincerity doesn’t save—Jesus does. Cornelius was sincere in his devotion, yet he still needed to hear the message of Christ. That’s why Peter preached: “To Him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name” (Acts 10:43). The Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius and his household, confirming that salvation had truly come. Sincerity wasn’t enough. Religion wasn’t enough. Goodness wasn’t enough. Only Jesus was enough. Takeaway: The gospel lifts up one name—Jesus Christ. Only He saves, and only through faith in Him can we be forgiven.
Why This Matters Today
In a world full of spirituality, self-help, and sincerity, Acts 10 reminds us of a timeless truth: salvation comes only through explicit faith in Jesus Christ. Programs, traditions, and good intentions may have their place, but the greatest evangelistic tool any church has is not a program—it’s a believer passionately persuaded that Jesus is enough. If you’re searching for God, don’t settle for being good, religious, or sincere. Turn to Christ, the one who died and rose again for you. As Jesus Himself said in John 14:6: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Final Word
Acts 10 isn’t just a story about Cornelius—it’s a story about us. Because of this moment, the gospel went to the nations. Because of this moment, churches like ours exist. And because of this moment, you can have life in Christ today. Question for you: Have you placed your faith in Jesus, not just in goodness, religion, or sincerity—but in Him alone? That’s the only way to salvation, and the only way to eternal life
Posted in Sermons