Reading
Acts 9:32-12:25
Truth for Today
We are quick to exclude from our group those we deem undesirable - those who fail to flatter us, support our opinions, reinforce our prejudices, boost our pride, feed our egos, or whose style of life is significantly different. The world in general expresses its intolerance and bigotry in conflicts at every level, from silent prejudice to outright war. Even believers are not immune to this tendency. Those of another culture, skin color, social status, educational group, or income level often find themselves unwelcome in some churches. Such intolerant exclusivism grieves the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose purpose and prayer was that believers "may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (John 17:21).
Reflecting on the Text
1. Why do you think God led Luke to include the events of chapter 12 in his writings? What lessons can be found in Herod's persecution of church leaders and his subsequent death?
2. How is God leading you to cross racial or cultural barriers with the love of Christ? What are some specific actions you can take?
3. In these chapters we see the extraordinary events that happen when the children of God call out in faith to their heavenly Father. On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being "on life support" and 10 representing "I'm in communion with God all day every day") how would you rate the health of your prayer life?
4. What do you specifically need to change?
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Gospel to the Gentiles - Part 5 - Devo for 10/09/2009
Reading
Acts 9:32-12:25
Going Deeper
Paul later gave a theological explanation of the historical events recorded in Acts 10-11. Read Ephesians 2:11-22 for this explantion.
Exploring the Meaning
1. What is the gist of Paul's argument? What is he saying?
2. What truth was Peter beginning to grasp when he remarked that God shows no partiality (10:34)?
(Verses to consider: Deuteronomy 10:17; 2 Chronicles 19:7; Job 34:19; Romans 2:11; 3:29-30; James 2:1)
3. What evidence or lines of argument did Peter use to clam his Jewish brothers who were alarmed and outraged by the salvation of the Gentiles (11:1-18)?
Acts 9:32-12:25
Going Deeper
Paul later gave a theological explanation of the historical events recorded in Acts 10-11. Read Ephesians 2:11-22 for this explantion.
Exploring the Meaning
1. What is the gist of Paul's argument? What is he saying?
2. What truth was Peter beginning to grasp when he remarked that God shows no partiality (10:34)?
(Verses to consider: Deuteronomy 10:17; 2 Chronicles 19:7; Job 34:19; Romans 2:11; 3:29-30; James 2:1)
3. What evidence or lines of argument did Peter use to clam his Jewish brothers who were alarmed and outraged by the salvation of the Gentiles (11:1-18)?
The Gospel to the Gentiles - Part 4 - Devo for 10/08/2009
Reading
Acts 9:32-12:25
Questions
1. How did God sovereignly prepare Cornelius for what was to follow?
2. What did God do to show Peter that Gentiles had the same access as Jews to the plan of salvation?
Acts 9:32-12:25
Questions
1. How did God sovereignly prepare Cornelius for what was to follow?
2. What did God do to show Peter that Gentiles had the same access as Jews to the plan of salvation?
The Gospel to the Gentiles - Part 3 - Devo for 10/07/2009
Reading
Acts 9:32-12:25
Questions
1. Identify some of the highlights of Peter's ministry cited by Luke. Why were these events singled out and recorded?
2. What insights into Peter's character are found in chapters 9-12?
Acts 9:32-12:25
Questions
1. Identify some of the highlights of Peter's ministry cited by Luke. Why were these events singled out and recorded?
2. What insights into Peter's character are found in chapters 9-12?
The Gospel to the Gentiles - Part 2 - Devo for 10/06/2009
Reading
Acts 9:32-12:25
Keys to the Text
Salvation to the Gentiles: Although the widespread salvation of Gentiles came about because Israel as a nation refused her Savior, that extension of grace was not an afterthought with God. From His first calling of Abraham, it was God's intent that His chosen people should be the instruments of bringing salvation to the Gentiles. "In thee," the Lord told Abraham, "shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:3). In the covenant at Sinai God called Israel to be His witnessess, His spiritual ambassadors to the world as "a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation" (Exodus 19:6). The tribes of Jacob were to be "a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth" (Isaiah 49:6). God's ultimate plan of redemption has always included the Gentiles in every way as much as the Jews, His specially chosen people under the old covenant. Through Jesus Christ, believing Gentiles are as fully saved, as fully the children of God, and as fully as citizens of His divine kingdom as are believing Jews.
Acts 9:32-12:25
Keys to the Text
Salvation to the Gentiles: Although the widespread salvation of Gentiles came about because Israel as a nation refused her Savior, that extension of grace was not an afterthought with God. From His first calling of Abraham, it was God's intent that His chosen people should be the instruments of bringing salvation to the Gentiles. "In thee," the Lord told Abraham, "shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:3). In the covenant at Sinai God called Israel to be His witnessess, His spiritual ambassadors to the world as "a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation" (Exodus 19:6). The tribes of Jacob were to be "a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth" (Isaiah 49:6). God's ultimate plan of redemption has always included the Gentiles in every way as much as the Jews, His specially chosen people under the old covenant. Through Jesus Christ, believing Gentiles are as fully saved, as fully the children of God, and as fully as citizens of His divine kingdom as are believing Jews.
The Gospel to the Gentiles - Part 1 - Devo for 10/05/2009
Reading
Acts 9:32-12:25
The Context
After describing Saul's astounding conversion, Luke turned again to the ministry of Peter. In the first nine chapters, the convicting and regenerating work of God's Spirit has been mostly confined to the Jews. Beginning in chapter 10, Luke describes the Holy Spirit's sovereign activity in a Gentile army officer stationed on the Mediterranean coast. This is a watershed moment in the history of the church. The one true God - the God of the Hebrews - is about to unveil His eternal plan for the Gentiles.
To confirm the Gentiles' acceptance by God and their full inclusion in His kingdom as heirs of grace, Luke records the new converts' experience of the Holy Spirit. Exactly as happened with the Jewish believers at Pentecost, these new Gentile converts began speaking in unlearned foreign languages. The Jewish believers who had accompanied Peter from Joppa were amazed. To show that Peter's evangelistic encounter with the Gentile Cornelius was not a fluke, Luke mentions the widespread outreach that had begun taking place in Antioch. This effort to preach to non-Jews by believers from Cyprus and Cyrene had both the power and blessing of God on it.
Unable to stop the masses from embracing this new faith, the Jews launched a direct attack upon the leaders of the Christians. No more mere threats and warnings - this time, Herod had James executed and Peter arrested. Though from a human perspective the situation appeared terribly grim, from a heavenly perspective this was just another occasion to display the infinite power of God.
Acts 9:32-12:25
The Context
After describing Saul's astounding conversion, Luke turned again to the ministry of Peter. In the first nine chapters, the convicting and regenerating work of God's Spirit has been mostly confined to the Jews. Beginning in chapter 10, Luke describes the Holy Spirit's sovereign activity in a Gentile army officer stationed on the Mediterranean coast. This is a watershed moment in the history of the church. The one true God - the God of the Hebrews - is about to unveil His eternal plan for the Gentiles.
To confirm the Gentiles' acceptance by God and their full inclusion in His kingdom as heirs of grace, Luke records the new converts' experience of the Holy Spirit. Exactly as happened with the Jewish believers at Pentecost, these new Gentile converts began speaking in unlearned foreign languages. The Jewish believers who had accompanied Peter from Joppa were amazed. To show that Peter's evangelistic encounter with the Gentile Cornelius was not a fluke, Luke mentions the widespread outreach that had begun taking place in Antioch. This effort to preach to non-Jews by believers from Cyprus and Cyrene had both the power and blessing of God on it.
Unable to stop the masses from embracing this new faith, the Jews launched a direct attack upon the leaders of the Christians. No more mere threats and warnings - this time, Herod had James executed and Peter arrested. Though from a human perspective the situation appeared terribly grim, from a heavenly perspective this was just another occasion to display the infinite power of God.
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