Early success of the mission to the Gentiles raised some crucial questions for the early church regarding what requirements should be expected of Gentile converts, those grafted into the faith (Rom. 11:17). Tensions always appear when people from other religions and cultures join an established believing community. In this case, Jewish Christians, with their high regard … Continue reading –>
As we saw yesterday, by the time Peter made contact with Cornelius, he had a change in attitude regarding the Gentiles that other Jewish believers hadn’t yet understood (see Acts 10:44-45). What happened that changed Peter? Read Acts 10:9-22 and Acts 11:1-10. What do the passages say about how entrenched Peter’s wrong attitudes were that … Continue reading –>
Then Peter began to speak: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. (Acts 10:34-35 NIV). Though these words to us are not that revolutionary, for them to have come from the mouth of … Continue reading –>
Read Acts 10:1-8, Acts 10:23-48. What does the story of this Gentile becoming a follower of Jesus teach us about salvation and witness? The conversion of Cornelius, a pagan officer in the Roman army, along with his family and friends, has been termed the Gentile Pentecost. It is a crucial story in Acts, one that … Continue reading –>
Jesus’ last words before His ascension were of a missionary nature: Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8). Here again we see the mandate to spread the gospel into all the world. Only 10 days later, … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Acts 2:5-21; Acts 10:1-8, Acts 10:23-48; Rom. 2:14-16; Acts 10:9-22; Acts 11:1-10; Acts 15:1-35. Memory Text: Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For … Continue reading –>
When her pranks no longer worked, Shanti’s mother-in-law turned to her other daughter-in-law for help in breaking the spirit of Shanti and Bhudroy. This daughter-in-law was selfish and often bickered and fought. She made life bitter for everyone. A year after Bhudroy became an Adventist Christian, his elder brother died. Then Shanti because seriously ill … Continue reading –>
I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. … Continue reading –>
Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. Sir, they said, we would like to see Jesus. Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. Jesus replied, The hour has come … Continue reading –>
Read Luke 17:11-19. What lessons are here for us, regardless of our nationality or origins? Notice first that the unfortunate men all knew Jesus. They called Him by both name and title, pleading for intervention. What’s fascinating, too, is that they were not cleansed right then and there. They were told simply to go and … Continue reading –>
