Read Ellen G. White, Jew and Gentile, pp. 188-200, in The Acts of the Apostles. Peter told of his astonishment when, in speaking the words of truth to those assembled at the home of Cornelius, he witnessed the Holy Spirit taking possession of his hearers, Gentiles as well as Jews. The same light and glory … Continue reading –>
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 –>
The first. The apostle Peter wins the award…for what honor? Do you think his hope of bringing Gentiles into the early Christian church was greeted with unanimous acclaim? What types of issues always come up when working with people from different cultures? Peter at Pentecost. Couldn’t God have worked out a different set of beliefs … 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 –>
Lesson for August 15-21 Key Thought : Salvation was never meant just for the Jews; it is good news to all people. We are invited to join Him in His mission to all peoples. 1. Have a volunteer read John 4:7-10 a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point … 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 –>
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 –>
