ActsSample

Acts 10-11

What’s Happening?

In Chapter 9, we see the conversion of Paul and begin following Peter around as he continues the work of the Lord. We turn our attention to a man named Cornelius. The Lord spoke to Cornelius through an angel telling him to seek out Peter.

While in Joppa, Peter has a vision. In this vision, he sees a large sheet-like object with different animals on it. The Lord commands Peter to eat these animals which were previously deemed unclean. However, Peter can not imagine doing such a thing. God then tells Peter, “What God has made clean, you must not consider ritually unclean!” (10:16). The vision happens three times, leaving Peter perplexed.

Following the vision, men sent by Cornelius arrive in Joppa and find Peter. The next day Peter goes with them to Cornelius’ house and when they arrive, Cornelius is elated. He relates to Peter how the Lord instructed him to seek out Peter.

Peter then understands the vision. God showed him that salvation is available to all people, not just the Jews. He began preaching the gospel to all of Cornelius’ household, baptizing them after seeing that they had believed.

Peter goes to Jerusalem to share the news with the apostles, but they do not believe that gentiles can receive the gospel. Peter then explains all that had taken place with his vision and Cornelius, and the apostles no longer argue and rejoice at the spreading of the gospel to the gentiles.

The gospel then spread out toward Antioch and the Greeks living there. Barnabas is sent to see what is happening and he rejoices at the good work. Barnabas found Saul and brought him to Antioch to stay there and teach the people. In Antioch, the disciples were called “Christians” for the first time.

Following this, a famine broke out over the world and the disciples worked together to provide financial relief.

What do we learn?

In these two chapters we see the spreading of the gospel to the Gentiles. God ordered the apostles to give His message to the Jews, but now also to the Gentiles. We see that God intended for the whole world to receive the gospel. How beautiful! Every nation now had access to grace through Jesus Christ. As the Lord worked, we see the obedience of the apostles at the Word of God to share the gospel with everyone, not just Jews.

What should we do?

Considering the obedience of the disciples to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone by the command of God, take some time to pray and journal. Think about someone who you can share the gospel with. Perhaps there is someone who you have refused in the past to talk to about Jesus. Pray for boldness and obedience to share the gospel with that person. If you have not shared your faith before, pray for boldness to do so as God desires us to share our faith with all people.