Acts 11:11-18
verses 15-17: “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ’John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 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?”
God visibly invited and welcomed the Gentiles by sending the Holy Spirit. If it hadn’t been clear before then, it was certainly becoming clear. “...who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1Timothy 2:4) God created all of us. No one is left out. No one is beyond the reach of God or beyond hope. I hope and pray to be a force of inclusion and attraction to others toward a life with God.
Holy One, you have left no one out. You want us all to know you and trust in you. You sent Jesus to bring your people together and the Holy Spirit to draw together the rest of the world. Put me to work, Lord. Amen
Becky, transforming
Acts 11: 11-18
When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
The Jewish people felt that they were the only ones that would and could be saved. This verse tells us that they finally understood that everyone was included in salvation. God would use the Gentiles to save the world and hopefully bring the Jewish people back to Himself. After being introduced to the Bible and reading it for these last few years, I have often wondered why the Jews are still looking for the Redeemer. We are all baptized by the Holy Spirit, and through this, salvation was made possible. Another…
Acts 11:11-18
The Spirit is telling Peter to include gentiles in his church. As it turns out, gentiles are the only ones included in Peter’s church (along with converted Jews). I think because God said that Israel was the chosen people, they are waiting for a Messiah that is theirs alone. I think about what a different life Jews would have had if they had accepted Jesus as their Messiah.
Acts 11:12a - “The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us”
We live in a time when making distinctions between groups seems to be the overriding concern. Unity is an increasingly nebulous concept, but regardless of people group, age, denomination, socioeconomic status or other distinctions that can be made, Christian unity should bind all believers together with a common ideal. We have proven we cannot do this ourselves. We need the Holy Spirit.
Prayer - Come, Holy Spirit! Heal our divisions and bring unity to your church. Make us a powerful force for Your kingdom in these troubled times. Amen.
TAA