THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2016
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. 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." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. (Acts 10:44–48)
Today's reading on the Gospel's flourishing among the Gentiles brings me great hope, as it must have encouraged Peter at the time. For many centuries, Jews and Gentiles had experienced sharp divisions, and God's blessings hadn't overflowed into the many nations referenced in Genesis 12 and 15, which God had prophesied over Abraham and his offspring.
Here, however, Peter has the privilege of stepping outside his comfort zone to follow God's direction. Having experienced the trance-like vision of unclean foods, God declared all people as "clean" and urged Peter to forego his natural (and culturally ingrained) skepticism to share fellowship and ultimately the Gospel with his new Gentile friends.
Without the Spirit's clear guidance – and later filling of the new Gentile believers – Peter might have doubted the validity of this calling and followed his feelings of embarassment or fears of becoming an outcast among his own people. As with us in our daily walks with Christ, the Spirt strengthened Peter to overcome his sinful nature and to view reality through eyes of faith, confirming again that the "righteous will walk by faith."
While the Spirit clearly moved in Peter's heart, He also had moved powerfully in the lives of his soon-to-be audience. Cornelius's entire household had become ready for the Spirit's words of life, spoken through Peter. The Gospel would now spread throughout the entire Gentile world, bringing tremendous growth in the coming three centuries.
As Pastor Scott has often shared, this band of ~10,000 early disciples would reach 20+ million by 312, at which point Constantine would receive Christ. In many ways, Christianity flourished in spite of – and perhaps because of – oppositions from secular authorities. These early disciples had ample opportunity and motivation to display the uniqueness of the Way of the Master. Cultural Christianity would dampen that impetus and reduce the clarity of Christ-followers' focus.
May we join together in trusting God for a similar harvest season in our day? Do we need any more evidence that people are hungry for truth and hope? Could we trust God to pour out His Spirit and bring life to a tired and broken world?
Lord God, thank You for bringing the Gospel to all people. We ask You to pour out Your Spirit in our city and region in this time. Help us to bring Your Word of life and hope, both to our homes and our community. Give us renewed strength to follow You daily. To You be all glory, honor, and praise always! In Jesus's Name, amen.
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