Wednesday August 26, 2015

Read Acts 11:1-18

 In the book of the Exodus (around 1400BC) God called the Hebrew people to Himself and gave them a mission. That mission is clearly stated in the book of the Exodus 19:5-6:

Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.

This mission is a mission to the world, to bring the blessing of God (as per Genesis 12:1-3) to them. It is a mission of mercy to bring God’s love to the world.

Unfortunately the people of God lost the mission and became an isolated identity. The attitude is reflected in Acts 11:3 where the Jewish believers react negatively to Peter who dared to enter the house of an uncircumcised man and actually dined with him and his family/guests. It’s also clearly seen in Acts 10:28 where Peter declares that the law expressly prohibits Jews from associating with or visiting a Gentile, that is a non-Jew. It is also seen in Acts 11:19 where those scattered by the persecution are forced to go into Gentile territory but preach only to the Jews.

As you peruse the history of God’s people from Exodus onwards, you notice quickly that nothing really changes until Acts 10 where God’s salvation is given to the Gentiles. In Acts 11 Peter recounts this salvation. Being led by God, Peter went to visit the Gentile Cornelius and his family and proclaimed the gospel to them. He was aware of the law and the requirements but went in obedience to the vision given to him by God. We read what happened in vs 15-17;

“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as He had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift as He gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?”

The change of heart of the group is clearly seen in vs 18.

When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”

That change of heart would see more and more churches planted in the Gentile world and partnerships growing between various congregations and even between Jewish and Gentile believers. By the time the Jerusalem Council is held (Acts 15) the believers can see that God had always (even in the Old Testament) planned to take a people for Himself from the Gentiles. They even quoted the OT to back up their belief.  By Acts 24 we see that Paul actually went to Jerusalem with gifts for the poor provided by Gentile believers during Paul’s third missionary journey. No wonder Paul could write to the Galatians Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

In God’s house there are no national barriers, no societal barriers, no educational barriers. In God’s house we are all one in Chris Jesus. We are all gospel partners.

Prayer:

Using today’s Bible passage and notes write down points for

Adoration:

Confession

Thanks

Supplication:

· Ask the Lord to bring this partnership mentality into your church, your city, your region and your state and nation. Pray that a greater level of cooperation and partnership would emerge between Christian churches.

 Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. Different Christian denominations have different believes about peripheral issues—church government, infant baptism, mode of baptism etc. How can these churches work together for the gospel?

2. What issues should not be compromised across denominations?