Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.
Acts 11:1-18
After Peter’s preaching to Cornelius’ household and the Holy Spirit falling upon them all, the news travelled ahead of Peter back to the Jerusalem church. Peter was confronted by the “legalists” in the Church when he returned to Jerusalem saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” Here, we see a church that is immature in its sanctification, not understanding that Jesus, a Jew, came to bring salvation to all humans who would believe in Him and His works of Redemption without distinction to one’s lineage. Jesus showed compassion and granted salvation to Gentiles during His earthly ministry, the woman at the well in Sychar, the ten lepers healed at one time, the demon possessed man at Gergesene, and others. But, all the Apostles were Jews and the first church was established in Jerusalem where mostly Jewish people lived. So, Peter reports to the church all that had happened to him while he was in Joppa regarding his vision of the unclean foods and of the men from Cornelius’ house come to take Peter to Cornelius and of the Holy Spirit’s work upon all of Cornelius household to grant salvation to all there. Peter ended his report to the Jerusalem church by saying, “If then God gave the same gift to them as He gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” When Peter ended his report, the people of the church, especially the vocal detractors of Peter’s communing with Gentiles, fell silent. But, not for long, for Scripture tells us the church glorified God and declared, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” Let us today understand that, though Christianity is exclusive in that one must believe in God’s Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, for salvation, salvation is inclusive for all who believe in Him without any human distinction as to one’s lineage or any other distinction man may want to choose. God cares about one’s heart and soul and Christians must reflect that same care for all the lost souls of humanity. Pray today for the Lord of the harvest that there may be more workers for the field is ready for the harvest!
Source: S C Ball June 25, 2023
Leave a Reply