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Good Sunday May 12 to you dear friends,
How appropriate that we read together Acts 11 on Sunday…you’ll see why when you read it.
Several major turning points in the history of the Jesus movement occur in this chapter.
First, Peter finds himself defending before his fellow Apostles, what took place in Cornelius the Gentile, Roman Centurion’s home when Peter shared with the Gentiles who had gathered there, the important truths about Jesus… WHO He was, the significance and accomplishment of His atonement death, and the great significance of His resurrection and ascension!
Do you understand why those who listened to Peter, including his fellow Apostles, were so concerned, even arguing with Peter? If what took place in Caesarea was legitimate EVERYTHING would change.
The Jesus movement would NOT be exclusive to Jews, God’s chosen people, it must be open to everyone, Gentiles, slaves, even the heathen in far away places… like America!
Do you see what the deciding factor was for Peter and the other Jewish Christians? Look at Acts 11:15-17! God poured out His Holy Spirit on the Gentiles in Cornelius’ house in Roman Caesarea, in the very same way He had poured Him out on the Jews in Jerusalem! And look at the conclusion in vs. 18!
Everything changed. . .the leaders of the Jesus movement opened their arms, and hearts to Gentiles as equals, brothers and sisters in Christ.
I cannot over emphasize how monumental this moment is in history!
Notice the Antioch church… a beautiful, multi-ethnic church of Jesus followers, of both Jews & Gentiles. Notice who the Jerusalem big church sends to investigate, to see if what God is doing in Antioch is legitimate? Do you see how Barnabas is described? “He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.” Now that my friends is a powerful legacy… oh that it would be true of you and me!
Did you ever wonder who came up with the name “Christians” to describe people transformed by the power of God in their encounter with Jesus? Here it is… Acts 11:26! The people of the city of Antioch had to come up with a word to describe these caught up in the Jesus movement… “Christians”… “people like Jesus”!!
And finally, don’t overlook the very last paragraph about a famine in Jerusalem and a large financial gift sent by the ‘mixed ethnic church’ in Antioch to help the Jewish Christian Church in Jerusalem… and notice who brought the money! That’s important… tomorrow we’ll see why.
I hope you have a great Sunday and that the church where you worship today is like Antioch! Look for the evidence of the presence & power of the Holy Spirit of God where you worship, my brothers and sisters in Christ,
Pastor Doug Anderson 262.441.8785
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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