Christ Church Columbia Station
Christianity Meets Roman Power - Acts 10 & 11: Christianity is transcultural pushback against religious elitism.
Acts 10:1-5 ESV
Peter and Cornelius faced a dilemma
Acts 10:35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)
Acts 10:44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.
Pharisee Christians criticized Peter
Acts 11:2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
Two types of Christianity:
The rules are more important than people
People are more important than the rules
Acts 11:12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house.
1. Appearance
2. Culture
3. Class
4. Dysfunction
5. Age
6. Religion