Uncomfortable?

March 1, 2022 (Tuesday)

 

The task to spread the gospel can be an uncomfortable one. Take for instance Peter battling his cultural upbringing in Acts 10.

 

Let’s check this out, mid-story. After Peter has had a dream, messengers arrive from Cornelius. “They replied, “We’ve come on behalf of Cornelius, a centurion and righteous man, a God-worshipper who is well-respected by all Jewish people. A holy angel directed him to summon you to his house and to hear what you have to say.” [Acts 10:22 CEB] There are some important bits in this verse to understand.

 

Cornelius was a centurion. This made him a Roman citizen and a Gentile. Gentiles were not Jews, and the early church debated whether they were allowed to be Christian. Notice, even in the first generation of believers, there were many who held erroneous views. When tradition is appealed to as authority, remember even from the first days of the church, there were many who were wrong, misinformed, or deceived.

 

Cornelius, being a Gentile, posed a problem for Peter. His resistance to the possibility that God would (or could) include Gentiles in the plan of salvation was difficult for him. However, he has just had a dream where he rejected God’s instructions three times concerning clean/unclean thinking. God’s message to Peter was “Never consider unclean what God has made pure.” [Acts 10:15b CEB]

 

Arriving at Cornelius’ home, Peter states, “He said to them, “You all realize that it is forbidden for a Jew to associate or visit with outsiders. However, God has shown me that I should never call a person impure or unclean.” [Acts 10:28 CEB] Peter’s religious upbringing and racism pulled hard against the will of God. Thankfully, Peter recognized them as working against the plan and will of God.

 

Peter’s take away, “Peter said, “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another. Rather, in every nation, whoever worships him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” [Acts 10:34 – 35 CEB] I can’t imagine this was comfortable for him. God is changing his worldview.

 

Then God did something remarkable. While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit “fell” (arrived) and the people started to speak in other languages. Peter askes, “These people have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. Surely no one can stop them from being baptized with water, can they?” [Acts 10:47 CEB] This caused trouble for Peter, in Acts 11:3 we read, “They accused him, “You went into the home of the uncircumcised and ate with them!” [CEB] Peter had crossed racial and theological lines, now he was being called to defend his actions.

 

Using the argument that Gentiles received the same gift the rest of the church was given on the day of Pentecost; Peter defends baptizing them. Suddenly a historical shift happens, “When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.” [Acts 10:18 NLT] God just shattered historical racism and erroneous theology.

 

I wonder what comfort barriers we have erected to protect our sensitivities that need to be shattered to bring people to repentance and eternal life.