"And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 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?" (Acts 11:16-17, ESV).
I don't know about you, but sometimes I have a superiority complex. You know, when you start thinking you know better than someone else, that you're smarter, maybe even more spiritual. For whatever reason, you're the better person...maybe not in everything, but in at least one or two areas.
Well, we see a little of that attitude in Acts 11. Some believers saw themselves as just that much better because they were circumcised and ate only what was clean (both practices instituted by God in the Old Testament).
However, something had changed radically.
In Acts 10, God used a dramatic vision to instruct Peter to take the Gospel to a group of people who weren't circumcised and who ate what was unclean. But they were devout, God-fearing, praying, generous people. God shows Peter that the Good News of Jesus Christ is for all, and old restrictions shouldn't keep people from new life.
Peter witnessed this change as these Gentiles put their faith in Jesus and received the Holy Spirit. Now, as he makes his report in Acts 11, he answers this challenge of superiority with a humble reminder: "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?" (Acts 11:17, ESV).
Who are we to stand in God's way when He wants to work? Who am I to think He can't save some people? What makes me so much better that I think the Holy Spirit won't work in people who aren't like me?
That's the big question, isn't it? Let's be honest, why should Jesus save us anyway? What entitles you or me to the Holy Spirit? We're just as unclean and unfaithful as anyone else.
But, as Peter said, the Good News is for all who believe--Jew and Gentile, clean and unclean. The same gift those early Christians received is the one you and I enjoy--the saving grace of Jesus and the daily power of the Holy Spirit. There's no room for superiority in that!
"Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" (Acts 10:47, ESV)
The Jews were God's chosen people, under a covenant for blessing and redemption. However, when Christ came to fulfill that covenant, many rejected Him and turned away.
Now, in what seemed like a shocking turn of events, the Lord sends Peter to the Gentiles to tell them of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The Gentiles heard his words and accepted Jesus, gaining the same redemption God had extended to His chosen people, "so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith" (Galatians 3:14, ESV).
This was not shocking for God. This was always part of His plan--it was His will that all people should have the opportunity to choose to follow Jesus. Jesus had told His disciples, "So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish" (Matthew 18:14, ESV).
The Jews looked on the Gentiles with contempt--considering them to be unclean. They would never have expected that God would redeem them of their sin.
Sounds pretty arrogant, doesn't it? Well, how often have you looked at someone and thought, "Man, they deserve Hell"? Whether it's because of their actions, a personal grudge, whatever, we often try to make that judgment on our own.
Your job is not to choose who will or won't be saved. Your job is to show the amazing gift of Jesus Christ to others. Stop picking and choosing--start showing and telling.
Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him" (Acts 10:34-35, ESV).
There are 300 acres of hilly, untamed land near Corning, Missouri, where a lot of motorcycle enthusiasts want to ride dirt bikes. Expectantly they haul their Hondas, their Kawasakis or their Suzukis to a country road--only to find a locked gate and a sign: "Members Only." Their hopes dashed, they're forced to turn around and drive away.
Today, we're reading about people who are a little like those riders...feeling like they're excluded from something great.
They were Gentiles who thought the Gospel message was exclusive; that Jesus only came to save the Jews.
But they were wrong.
Jesus' disciple, Peter, enlightened them: "God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable."
How exciting is that! For them and for us!
Salvation through Jesus Christ is not an exclusive gift; you don't get it based on your race or background, how much money you have or what group you're a member of. It's based on faith in Jesus Christ who forgives your sins and makes a relationship possible with God the Father.
John 3:16 includes us: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, ESV).
That "whoever" isn't just for the Jewish people but for men, women and children from every nation. Anyone can become a member of God's family; all that's required is receiving Jesus.
And there is a lot more at stake here than a fun-filled day; there's a Christ-filled "here and now" and an eternity in heaven.
Thursday, November 20, 2008, 12:39 PM EST [General]
Key Passage: Acts 10:9-33
Topic: Christian Living
"What God has made clean, do not call common" (Acts 10:15, ESV).
I remember hearing this story about Peter and his vision when I was young. It was strange then, and it's still strange today.
Imagine lying on a lawn chair, enjoying the summer sun, then looking up and seeing an enormous sheet filled with thousands of animals hovering above you. What does it mean? you wonder.
Peter was confused too, but God explained the situation to him.
"What God has made clean, do not call common" (Acts 10:15, ESV). This moment in Peter's life marks a turning point in his understanding of God's new relationship with humanity.
Throughout the Old Testament, God had dropped hints that someday the whole world would worship Him. But up to this point, God's attention had been on the Jewish nation--His chosen people.
With Peter's vision, the secret is out, so to speak. Now, the whole world--Jew and Gentile, "clean" and "unclean"--had the opportunity to enjoy a relationship with God through Jesus. As the apostle Paul would later say, "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians--you are one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28, NLT).
Even today, it's sometimes easy to form our own little groups, to see ourselves as better or more special to God than others. We become afraid of reaching out to someone in need just because they're different.
But Jesus died for everyone. And if you're not a believer, understand that you are welcome to come to Jesus just as you are right now. Don't let anyone tell you different.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 08:57 PM EST [General]
Key Passage: Matthew 26:31-35
Topic: Sin/Temptation; Christian Living/Situational
Peter answered him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away." (Matthew 26:33, ESV)
"Never" is a strong word for such an ordinary man. Peter's assurance of loyalty sounded pretty unshakable.
Did he really think he wasn't capable of turning against Jesus? Sounds like it. But you know, we may have the same thoughts.
So be careful. The moment we think we'll never betray God is the moment we deceive ourselves. We tend to promise a lot but don't always follow through with the same passion.
As broken people, we can't keep from deserting God even in small ways. The real danger, however, is denying that we're capable of turning away from Him. Ignoring our vulnerability is asking for trouble. Satan will jump in and use that false-confidence to destroy you and turn you against God.
Be on guard against denying God. It can happen to any of us. Watch how you spend your time, where you spend your money, where your devotion is directed.
Ask God to be a part of even the seemingly insignificant parts of your life. It'll keep you from leaving Him behind when the big stuff comes along.
