Bible Studies
Acts 11:1-18 – Preconceptions Undone
Key Verses: (NCV)
- 1: “The apostles and the believers in Judea heard that some who were not Jewish had accepted God’s teaching too.” – This was big news. Even though Jesus had taught that the Gospel was all inclusive, the idea that people without the foundation of Jewish history and tradition could become Christians was a surprise.
- 5: “I had a vision. I saw something that looked like a big sheet being lowered from heaven by its four corners.” – Peter begins to explain a vision that came to him during prayer.
- 7-8: “I heard a voice say to me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ 8But I said, ‘No, Lord! I have never eaten anything that is unholy or unclean.’” – The voice in the vision was challenging Peter’s comfort zone. It was asking Peter to look beyond the boundaries of his traditions to see what new opportunities lay in store.
- 9: “But the voice from heaven spoke again, ‘God has made these things clean, so don’t call them unholy.’” – “God looked at everything He had made, and it was very good.” (Gen. 1:31)
- 11-12: “Right then three men who were sent to me from Caesarea came to the house where I was staying. 12The Spirit told me to go with them without doubting.” – Emerging from this moment of prayer, Peter is sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
- 15: “When I began my speech, the Holy Spirit came on them just as He came on us at the beginning.” – Cornelius had been told by an angel of God to bring Peter to his home and listen to what he had to say. In so doing, he and his household would be saved.
- 17: “Since God gave them the same gift He gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, how could I stop the work of God?” – Peter was responding to God’s call and doing God’s ministry. Whatever established thought patterns were trampled along the way was done so by the will of God.
- 18: “When the believers heard this, they stopped arguing. They praised God and said, ‘So God is allowing even other nations to turn to Him and live.’” – Christ, the Risen Lord, came to earth for all of mankind.
- Do you disagree with other Christians?
Promises of the Gospel:
Peter, by following God’s lead, brought the gift of the Holy Spirit to an unexpected group of seekers. The surprise registered by Peter and other believers indicated that this event had broadened their limited perspectives of God and the plans He has for mankind. As we step out into ministry in response to God’s calling, we have to be careful that we are not creating boundaries and limitations to God’s intentions through our biases and limited viewpoints. To do so is a very human trait but Peter provides a model that will enhance our sensitivity and enable us to be ready for any and every opportunity to build God’s kingdom that He sends our way.
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