FRIDAY - JULY 17

Read. Acts 10:34-48
34 Peter said, “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another. 35 Rather, in every nation, whoever worships him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 This is the message of peace he sent to the Israelites by proclaiming the good news through Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all!37 You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism John preached. 38 You know about Jesus of Nazareth, whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit and endowed with power. Jesus traveled around doing good and healing everyone oppressed by the devil because God was with him. 39 We are witnesses of everything he did, both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him up on the third day and allowed him to be seen, 41 not by everyone but by us. We are witnesses whom God chose beforehand, who ate and drank with him after God raised him from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
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44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on everyone who heard the word. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 They heard them speaking in other languages and praising God. Peter asked, 47 “These people have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. Surely no one can stop them from being baptized with water, can they?” 48 He directed that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited Peter to stay for several days.

Reflect. This marks the first time that the gospel is shared with a non-Jewish audience. This marks the first time that the gospel is preached to a gentile audience. Peter’s vision where God showed him that there were no unclean foods prepared him for this encounter. Until this point, it was assumed that to become a Jesus follower, it was necessary to become Jewish first. 

• In v.34, Peter says, “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another.” This is a radical new understanding for Peter. It’s not something he fully understands, but is something that he is still learning. He is learning how God’s Spirit is for all.
• While Peter was sharing the good news of Jesus with these gentiles, the Holy Spirit fell upon them as the Holy Spirit first fell upon the believers in Acts 2. This act of God, shows the Jewish Christians who accompanied Peter, that God was welcoming the gentiles into the same community of Jesus followers. Even as Cornelius is being converted, Peter and those with him are also experiencing a conversation. Peter and his associates are experiencing a conversion by realizing that God’s grace is bigger and more universal than they ever imagined. 
• Can you think of a time that God’s Spirit made you challenge a long-held assumption? What happened in this? How did God open your mind and heart to listen to this challenge? What was the result? Would you consider this a conversion experience?
• Or can you relate to Cornelius, who experience a conversion from non-belief to belief? If so, think about your conversion story? How has this blessed you and changed your life? 

Pray. Lord, your Spirit causes change in the human heart. Guide me in your ways, and help me to experience your life giving change. 

COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST

Doug. Bobby. Collier. Glenn. Adam.  Mary.  Clyde.  Linda. Betty Carolyn. Jeff. Albert. Richard. Lois. Ross. Tiny. Donald. Bill. Barbara. Andreas. Helen. Bonnie Brenner. Baker Family. Robert McKenzie Family. Terry Kibler. Carolyn Harlow. Jeremy. Jeff Green. Lyric. Earl Graves. Mickey Huff. Huff & Welch families. Helen Leigh.