We’re in a series entitled LIVING OUR MISSION based on sections of the Book of Acts. Luke gives us in Acts, seven essential elements of the gospel of grace:

1. Assert that the Gospel alone brings peace.

2. Acknowledge Jesus as Lord of all.

3. Absorb all Jesus did and said.

4. Agree that Jesus died on a tree.

5. Affirm that Jesus was raised from the dead.

6. Admit that each one of us deserves judgment.

7. Accept Christ by faith alone and receive forgiveness.

Last week we saw how Cornelius and his household were prepared by the Holy Spirit to receive Gospel, and how Peter was prepared by the Holy Spirit to share the Good News with the Gentiles.

Acts 11:1 tells us the news of the conversion of Cornelius and his family spread quickly (without the help of social media!) as the “Apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.”

Acts 11:2-3 says: “So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 'you went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.’”

Peter was simply following what Jesus himself modeled for the disciples in Luke 5:30: “And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’” In Luke 15:2 their complaints about Christ crescendoed: “And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, 'This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

God’s love and grace is for every race and people group. The Holy Spirit was making certain that these first followers of Christ didn’t view the church as just another sect of Judaism. 

If the Gentiles had been required to adopt circumcision and Jewish ceremonies in order to be saved, the Gospel would not have gone around the globe to every nation, kindred, tribe and people.

I'm grateful to our brother Prentis for opening God’s Word this week as he teaches on “Following Christ’s Example in Breaking Down Barriers,” based on Acts 11:1-18.

God is lovingly, graciously expanding our hearts at Foothills Community Church!

With Love,

Pastor Duff