All Things NewSample

An All Inclusive Message

Have you ever walked into the middle of a movie and tried to figure out what was going on? Stories just don’t make sense if you don’t have any context for them. That’s why the beginning is so important and why a good story is worth taking the time to tell and to listen to.

In Acts 10:24-48, the Gospel story is being shared by Peter… and God. While Peter shares a simple message, God really knows how to get his point across.

God goes first and sends an angel to visit Cornelius and Peter has a vision.

Peter gets to share the gospel story. By this time he knows some of Cornelius’ story, that he’s an “upright and God-fearing man.” Undoubtedly as any God fearing man would in his day, Cornelius knows the beginning of the story; creation, the garden, man’s declaration of independence, man and Israel’s rebellion, etc. While those in this story knew very well the beginning of the story, most people don’t know much about the Old Testament and many who do still don’t see how much it connects to our stories today. People connect with this story. Why? Whether they know it or not, it’s their story, both literally and figuratively.

Peter also recognizes “you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea…” I wonder if they had heard even more stories than we have recorded in the four New Testament Gospels.

In case they hadn’t heard, Peter shares with them the death and resurrection of Jesus. Then he asks them to raise their hands if they would like to accept Jesus as their personal savior, right? Nope. Peter describes the command Jesus gave them and returns to the Old Testament pointing to how “all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Maybe now would have been right for an alter call … but God wasn’t finished yet. He finishes the story by fulfilling the promise Jesus gave. “The Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.” That’s good news! Get the baptismal ready! Have you ever stopped at forgiveness and left the Holy Spirit out of a good news presentation? Seems silly, but it’s done all the time.

Reading: Acts 10:24-48

Reflection

• When’s the last time you shared the whole story with someone? How about with your yourself?

• What do we lose when we skip much of the story or break it down into simple doctrinal statements?

• How much of your story can you find in the gospel story?

• How is the Gospel Story continuing in your own story? Is it alive and still at work?