In this passage, the Apostle Peter retells of his eye-opening witness: the Lord giving life to the Gentile. Before he even begins to explain his experience, Peter is met with swift criticism from the “elite” Jewish Christians. The criticism posed by believers is quickly turned to glory as God does the very thing they think impossible and defiling.

This is the first account of a Gentile believing in the Good News of Christ Jesus and receiving the promised Holy Spirit. Why is this important? If it were not for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to Gentiles, or non-Jewish persons, then many of us without Jewish descent may have never truly known God. With this Spirit of God we abound in hope [Romans 15.13], joy, and love. The Holy Spirit constantly molds us into a more beautiful display of patience, gentleness, generosity, peace, and goodness [Galatians 5.22]. The Spirit is integral to our direct connection with God. And it is freely given to all who believe.

Our own past and upbringing tend to cultivate in us an expectation for what a Christian looks like. Even the first disciples of Jesus struggled with this notion. However, as Peter so eloquently stated, who am I that I could stand in the way of God?

[Acts 11.1-18]

11.1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began and explained it to them in order: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. 6 Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ 10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. 11 And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. 12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” 18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What is a Gentile? Are you a Gentile?

+ Why did the “uncircumsized party” criticize Peter for seeing and eating with others?

+ How is one baptized with the Holy Spirit?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Who is the Lord directing you to?

+ What barriers from your past or culture are keeping you from believing that the Lord can reach these unreachable people?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?