To the Gentiles

Read Acts 9:32 thru 12
 
Acts 11:2-3 But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem, the Jewish believers criticized him. 3 “You entered the home of Gentiles and even ate with them!” they said.
 
ACTS 9:1-31 records the great transforming work God did to call Saul, the Pharisee, to become Paul, the apostle. The LORD’s new-life work continued in Acts 9:32-10:48 as he directed Peter to the Gentiles. Note in Peter’s sermons from Acts 2 and in Acts 9, he focused, as Stephen did, on God’s story to create, form and save. The gospel message is very straight-forward if we know God’s Love Story.
   Yes, God’s saving good news flowed to the Gentiles. But what was the Jewish believers’ response? They were enraged that Peter would break the Jews’ law as he entered Cornelius’ home! The men who said, “I confess Jesus as my LORD and Savior.” expressed the same restrictive legalism that Jesus condemned in the Pharisees.
   Did they forget, or did they not know of Jesus entering into “sinners” homes? Had they neglected his healings among the Gentiles? Did they not remember God’s promise to Abraham was for all the nations? And had they not understood Jesus is the Light of the world?
   Fortunately Peter’s testimony of the Spirit’s work changed their minds. God used those occasions to advance the gospel and direct these new experiences to be an education of his purpose and means to his new church.
   The LORD God had formed the Jews as a nation set apart under a specific law that was as no other on earth. He had demanded a separatism to prevent idolatry and worldly influences that would destroy his people’s relationship with him. Thus, the Jews who became Christians had to learn how God’s true nation was changing and expanding.
   These are always lessons for us. The church can become very different when new people come. We must learn how to discern God’s purpose and welcome the ways God expands his gospel into our neighborhoods. Let’s be sure customs and traditions do not block God’s plan. Know what is essential to hold onto. And understand how God is making things new.