Expressions of Faith. Even to Gentiles
15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” 18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
Acts 11:15-18
Chapter 11:1-3 sets the scene for today’s Scripture. Peter’s back in Jerusalem meeting with circumcised believers. These converted Jews are unhappy with his actions in Caesarea.
The next eleven verses recap most of Chapter 10 as Peter gives his rationale for his actions. Verse 15 had to shock Peter’s audience. Verses 16 -17 provide insight into Peter’s thought process.
First, he quotes Jesus regarding the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Second, he admits he’s had a change in his thinking.
Verse 18 reveals how the Holy Spirit worked in the hearts of the Jewish Christians. They now have no objection to Peter’s interactions with Gentiles.
- They praise God.
- They came to a profound conclusion.
“So then, even to Gentiles God has
granted repentance that leads to life.”
From time to time you hear something that goes against your Spiritual grain. There are times when you refuse to listen to any explanation.
Sometimes that’s a good thing. Too often, your closed-minded attitude reduces the chance of reconciliation or compromise.
This could have been the case as Peter explained.
- He admits changing his mind about Jewish dietary rules.
- He admits entering a Gentile home.
Either of those statements could have ended this scene with an opposite outcome than what occurred. Instead, the outcome was the acceptance of Gentile converts to Christianity.
The next time you find yourself being rubbed the wrong way, do what the Jewish Christians did.
- Listen to the explanation.
- Listen to the whole explanation.
- Then follow God’s direction in your response.
The next Expressions of Faith is Christians
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