Acts 11
COMMENTARY:
: 2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him. (1252 “contended” [diakrino] means doubt, judge, discriminate, to separate one’s self in a hostile spirit, strive with dispute, evaluate carefully, argue, or express disapproval.)
DEVOTION: You would think that at the beginning of the church there would be a spirit of excitement for those who realized that Jesus was the Messiah.
We have already learned that the Greek widows were being neglected. They established deacons to take care of that challenge. Now they had the challenge of accepting those from other nations into the mix of the church. They had Jews from other nations but now it was Gentiles who were not Jews already but uncircumcised individuals. Real Gentiles were being added to the church.
There was a group that didn’t like this happening. They thought that Peter overstepped his responsibility. He had gone to a family that was truly out of the children of Israel. Now they wanted him to explain his actions.
This was not a group that seemed loving toward this new development in the church. They thought God only loved the Jewish people or those who had converted to Judaism.
Peter started with his vision and moved to the fact that they were filled with the Holy Spirit just like they were on the day of Pentecost. The group accepted Peter’s explanation and glorified God that true Gentiles were now allowed in the church.
Allow the leaders of your church time to explain any new plan they might have to reach others. Be part of the organizing of the plan. Encourage others to be involved. Reach out and touch those who are different than those who normally come to your church.
God wants us to reach all ethnic groups. Our church should not be known for excluding any ethnic group.
There is always going to be someone who will question what is happening in the church.
CHALLENGE: The church should stay true to the Word of God. If it is true to the Word of God people will accept the answers given. Stay true to the Word of God.
: 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God has cleansed, that call not you common. (2511 “cleansed” [katharizo] means purge, purify, make clean, to pronounce clean in a Levitical sense or to consecrate.)
DEVOTION: Peter told the LORD no when HE told him to eat the animals that were considered ceremonial unclean in the Old Testament. The LORD was trying to convey a truth that there was a change taking place. The ceremonial laws of the Old Testament were over.
Part of the law was the relationship between Jews and Gentiles. The Jews avoided all contact with the Gentiles. There were not even allowed to enter the home of a Gentile or they would be considered ceremonial unclean. Here is Peter in the home of a Gentile. Here is the Holy Spirit coming on the Gentiles.
In this chapter Peter is defending his actions in the last chapter. They were mad at him for what he had done. They thought he had polluted the church.
After the explanation they praised the LORD. As the church was beginning to form, we see that God wanted the disciples to know that a different group was going to be included. The Samaritans were ministered to after the Jews on Pentecost. The Gentiles were going to join the church. No longer was it only Israel that was the chosen people. Now the chosen people were from any nation and any people that followed Christ as their Savior.
God is no respecter of persons. HE wants HIS servants to be the same. Too often we look at appearances instead of hearts. Too often we are prejudice before we even meet people. Christian of all nationalities are going to be in heaven for eternity. We need to get along with each other NOW. We have people of all colors receiving the devotionals daily. We have many nations represented in the devotional family. There is no place for racial prejudice in the kingdom of God. There are many Christians who are still prejudiced. That includes all colors: red and yellow, black and white – as the song goes. God wants every nation to hear the good news. Are we willing to share the Gospel with all people groups?
CHALLENGE: Get to know Christians who have a different look. You might be surprised.
: 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then, has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance to life. (2222 “life” [zoe] means the condition of living or the state of being alive, living thing, existence, way of life, the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate, or every living soul.)
DEVOTION: What is salvation? What does it mean to those who become believers? Is life easier once you become a follower of Jesus? Do all those who are believers have less problems than those who are not? Do all those who become believers have money coming in from the LORD so that they can live the good life while they are here on this earth? What are we promising people who become believers?
The early church seemed to understand that the Christian life was going to be one of suffering for the sake of Jesus. They had to leave their homes and go to other countries to get away from the persecution. They had to go to jail for their belief in Jesus.
Today we are told by some on the television and radio that is just a matter of positive thinking or possibility thinking that will make a difference once we become a follower of Jesus. We are told that God will just bless us to the point where all we can do is praise HIS name continually.
Here we find that repentance is necessary for the forgiveness of sin. Once there is repentance there is the promise of eternal life in heaven. This new life will be filled with good days and bad days. The LORD will be with us through all of our days.
Our eyes have to be on God’s eternal plan for us not just our personal preferences while we are here on this earth. Too often we want God to be someone who gives us all we want right now. It is wrong attitude.
CHALLENGE: God gives us what we need to grow now and every day we live on this earth. HE loves us enough to only give us what will help us come closer to HIM.
: 29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren which dwelt in Judaea (1248 “relief” [diakonia] means ministry, service, task, the activety of helping especially as it relates to person’s sustenance, aid, or provision.)
DEVOTION: One of the responsibilities that we have as believers is to help those in need. This should start with people who are around us and reach out to those around the world if we are able to help them.
The first century church was facing unique problems. One of the problems or challenges was to face a famine in the land. The churches outside of Judea took up collections to help those who are in Judea.
They were willing to give what they could to help. Many Christians had to run from persecution which meant that they had to leave their homes behind. They had to struggle to find a new job in a new location. They had to start over.
Now we face some of the same challenges today. In many countries there are believers who are killed or hurt because of their belief in Jesus. They have their homes and churches burned with no help from the legal authorities. The women are taken and mistreated because they don’t believe the same as most of those in the country. They are without protection.
The church has to step up to help those around the world with this challenge. However, some of the same things are happening in our country. Those who are believers are considered people who are not getting along with others very well. Because of our beliefs regarding unborn children and marriage people think we are too restrictive.
CHALLENGE: We need to send help especially to fellow believers in our neighborhood and around the world.
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