Church Planting in the Book of Acts預覽

A Multi-Ethnic Vision

When we think of the task of taking the gospel to the ends of the earth, we might logically assume the biggest barrier would be that of distance and geography. Clearly, thousands of miles exist between Jerusalem and say, Tahiti! However, there can be very real but less obvious barriers that are far more daunting to overcome; obstacles that exist in our heart, our mind, and our culture.

Consider this: While Simon Peter was staying in Joppa, he received an invitation from a Roman centurion named Cornelius, a Gentile, to come to his home and share the gospel with his relatives and close friends. Peter most likely would have declined the invitation if not for a vision he had just received while praying on the rooftop. It was against traditional Jewish law for a Hebrew who wanted to remain ceremonially “clean” to enter a Gentile home.

But in the vision, Peter saw the same thing three times: Unclean animals carried from heaven to earth on a sheet. God spoke to him, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

Based on this vision, Simon Peter felt released to enter Cornelius’ home. He preached the gospel and even before he could make a proper altar call, the Holy Spirit fell and all of those listening were saved and began to immediately speak in tongues, just like the apostles had done on the day of Pentecost.

“Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” Acts 10:47 (NIV)

“...No one can stand in the way….” This implies that there were some who would have stood in the way of these Gentiles being considered genuine believers. Even after the supernatural outpouring of the Holy Spirit, there were some who needed to process that a Gentile could become a Christian without converting to Judaism first. (see Acts 11 and 15).

Church planters break barriers and build bridges.We are called to reach the outsider, the marginalized, and the “unclean.” We preach that the Kingdom of God has come and we seek to build a church that looks like heaven will one day look: people from every tribe, every tongue, every generation, every race, every nation. All are welcomed into the family of God with open arms.

But we must be alert! We must allow God to expose any area in our life where our fondly held ideas and preconceived notions could be a barrier to reaching those God has called us to reach.

Be on the lookout for divine appointments the Holy Spirit has arranged for you. Be ready to meet, receive, and minister to the “Cornelius’s” of the world. The Spirit of God has already gone ahead of you and is preparing the way for your arrival.