Central Truth

Christ’s resurrection forever removed the barriers separating all the “Gentiles” of the world from access to God’s grace and salvation of and through Jesus Christ. Obedience to the laws of Moses was removed as the standard for belonging to God’s chosen people. Now, all are chosen by God.

Reflections

Changes. We enthusiastically look forward to things that alter, modify, transform, or revolutionize our culture, patterns, habits and environments, for chances to move out of old habits and behaviors and into different challenges and actions. Is not change exciting? I don’t think so! Not for very many of us at least. Sure, a rare person might order a different ice cream flavor every visit to Baskin-Robbins. But that’s not me, nor most us I think. That’s just not in our “human” nature. We resist change. We like things as they are. I’d order orange-mandarin chocolate ice cream every single time, if they had it.

The early Christians faced a lot of newness, too. Change was needed. Consider Peter’s visit by God to show him that "What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy." (Acts 10:15b) Characteristically, Peter rejected God’s message with the blanket vision three times. But almost immediately, God provided Peter with an application. While he was still coming down off the roof from prayer, Cornelius’ servants were ringing the doorbell. 

Peter and friends were off to Joppa with the Holy Spirit leading the way. Cornelius, as well, had been undergoing preparation for a transformation. God had affirmed him in his charity and prayer. But God wanted Cornelius and his family to know His Son Jesus and be saved. So He told him to send for Peter.

Peter had begun a very big transition in his way of thinking. Applying Mosaic law, all Gentiles were deemed to be unclean. Some Jews even referred to Gentiles as "dogs." Then Cornelius told Peter of the angel (Acts 10:3), and that Peter had been called to tell Cornelius’ family and friends of Christ's death and resurrection--His saving Grace. They were lost sinners begging to be told how to be saved.

Peter was privileged to preach to an exemplary congregation: They were all present and attentive with the singular purpose of desiring to know the way to salvation. Peter delivered the message, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke—like at Pentecost—in tongues of worship and praise.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you think that God's blanket vision to Peter was intended to assure him that he could now eat anything he wanted?
2. Do you think that people who've never heard the gospel can be saved? If you think yes, why did God send Peter to Cornelius? If no, how do you explain verses 34-35?
3. Are there people or groups of people toward whom you feel prejudiced? How has that come to be? Does Peter's vision change how you might feel toward these people?
4. If you think about how your church is, are there some people in your community who would feel your church is just not for them?
5. Are there some things about your church that you could change to remove barriers? How do you feel about making--or helping make--those changes?