Acts 10:43
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Acts 10:43
Peter’s statement centers the prophets as witnesses to Jesus, showing that the Old Testament anticipated salvation through Jesus’s name. “To him give all the prophets witness” means the entire prophetic canon testifies to the same truth: belief in Jesus brings remission of sins. This verse ties the Hebrew Scriptures to the Gospel, showing continuity and fulfillment. The phrase “through his name” emphasizes the authority and power of Jesus’s name as the locus of salvation. The announcement to Gentiles confirms that this promise extends beyond Israel; all who believe in him can receive forgiveness. It also indicates that forgiveness is available to sinners through faith in Jesus’s person and work, not through ritual or law-keeping alone. The verse embodies the bridge between Testaments and the inclusive mission of the church.
The verse affirms biblical authority: the prophets testified about Jesus; faith in Jesus’s name brings forgiveness. It anchors justification by faith in Christ and confirms the compatibility of the old and new covenants. It also emphasizes the universal scope of salvation and the necessity of personal belief in Jesus.
Today, this invites believers to study the Old Testament in light of Christ’s coming, to see Jesus as the fulfillment of prophetic hope. It encourages sharing the gospel with people of all nations, emphasizing that forgiveness is found in Jesus alone. Practical steps include Bible study groups that explore how the prophets point to Jesus, sharing testimonies of forgiveness, and inviting others to trust in Jesus’s name for redemption. This fosters a sense of unity in the church across generations and cultures.
Cross-References: Luke 24:27; Hebrews 1:1-2; 1 Peter 1:10-12; Acts 3:18-26; Colossians 1:27