Acts 11
April Memory Verse: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 NIV
Read: Acts 11
Yesterday we read about Peter’s experience with Cornelius and how God was opening an opportunity for Gentile (non-Jews) to receive the Gospel. This is great news! It fulfills God’s promise to Abraham and allows us to be a part of the incredible gift of salvation.
As exciting as this is, not everyone was excited. The Jews didn’t understand the change. They heard that Peter had visited the home of an uncircumcised Gentile, but they didn’t know what to think. So, Peter explains what happened in verses 1 – 18. He tells them the story…
When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.”
In the next few verses (v. 19-21) we read how God began to use the message of the Gospel to save those who were hearing it. Verse 21 says, a large number believed and turned to the Lord. This was amazing news! As soon as this news reached the church at Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas (the encourager) to Antioch to help. The church was encouraged, and even more people met Jesus and began to grow there. This was the first time the name “Christian” meaning “little Christ’s” was used to describe the disciples. The church in Antioch, although young, was blossoming and functioning like the church is supposed to!
It’s amazing what happens when we just do what Jesus tells us to! When we share the Gospel with others, as we live our lives, and disciple and help people grow when they meet Jesus, God does amazing things in the church! That hasn’t changed…
Let me challenge you with a couple of closing thoughts for you to ponder on today:
• God’s gift of salvation came to people who were not Jews – this means us. Take a moment and thank God for extending His gift to you.
• Pray for Center Point Church – ask God to start a movement here, that we would obey His commands to the church.
• Do your part. Who can you share the Gospel with today? How can you obey God by discipling others and helping people grow? Don’t spend another day in disobedience – make plans and start today.
By: Tim Parsons
Read: Acts 11
Yesterday we read about Peter’s experience with Cornelius and how God was opening an opportunity for Gentile (non-Jews) to receive the Gospel. This is great news! It fulfills God’s promise to Abraham and allows us to be a part of the incredible gift of salvation.
As exciting as this is, not everyone was excited. The Jews didn’t understand the change. They heard that Peter had visited the home of an uncircumcised Gentile, but they didn’t know what to think. So, Peter explains what happened in verses 1 – 18. He tells them the story…
When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.”
In the next few verses (v. 19-21) we read how God began to use the message of the Gospel to save those who were hearing it. Verse 21 says, a large number believed and turned to the Lord. This was amazing news! As soon as this news reached the church at Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas (the encourager) to Antioch to help. The church was encouraged, and even more people met Jesus and began to grow there. This was the first time the name “Christian” meaning “little Christ’s” was used to describe the disciples. The church in Antioch, although young, was blossoming and functioning like the church is supposed to!
It’s amazing what happens when we just do what Jesus tells us to! When we share the Gospel with others, as we live our lives, and disciple and help people grow when they meet Jesus, God does amazing things in the church! That hasn’t changed…
Let me challenge you with a couple of closing thoughts for you to ponder on today:
• God’s gift of salvation came to people who were not Jews – this means us. Take a moment and thank God for extending His gift to you.
• Pray for Center Point Church – ask God to start a movement here, that we would obey His commands to the church.
• Do your part. Who can you share the Gospel with today? How can you obey God by discipling others and helping people grow? Don’t spend another day in disobedience – make plans and start today.
By: Tim Parsons
12 Comments
A quote I heard; "Our hope is never in the absence of persecution but rather in the awareness of His presence". May our heart, soul, mind and strength always be set on the goal of reaching the lost and teaching the full council of God.
I'm so thankful for you Ron! Susan and I love you and Pat. You are both such a gift from God to us and CPC!
At Cornelius's house, the Holy Spirit came upon the household while Peter was speaking.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
That makes sense. Thanks Tyler!
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Hey Lindsay, great question. Let's start with I don't know, I'd have to think more about it.
My initial thought, however, is that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a fulfillment of the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31---that the law would be written on our hearts. Additionally, Jesus taught on the coming Holy Spirit in the Upper Room discourse in John. Thus, the Holy Spirit's presence in Acts 2 was the fulfillment that the New Covenant has arrived. Additionally, when Gentiles such as Cornelius received the Holy Spirit as a part of their conversion, the Jews could not deny them salvation. Gentile inclusion into God's plan and program was far more scandalous than we often appreciate. Much of the New Testament deals with this issue. The fact that they received the Holy Spirit means they are beneficiaries of the New Covenant and ultimately part of the Blessed people promised in the Abrahamic Covenant. The Bible definitely mentions God the Spirit quite a bit, but when we're talking about beginnings and firsts such as Pentecost and Gentile inclusion (the two examples you gave) it makes sense that He's mentioned very specifically.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
That makes sense. Thanks Tyler!
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Thanks for your insight Tim.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
That makes sense. Thanks Tyler!
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Hey Lindsay, great question. Let's start with I don't know, I'd have to think more about it.
My initial thought, however, is that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a fulfillment of the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31---that the law would be written on our hearts. Additionally, Jesus taught on the coming Holy Spirit in the Upper Room discourse in John. Thus, the Holy Spirit's presence in Acts 2 was the fulfillment that the New Covenant has arrived. Additionally, when Gentiles such as Cornelius received the Holy Spirit as a part of their conversion, the Jews could not deny them salvation. Gentile inclusion into God's plan and program was far more scandalous than we often appreciate. Much of the New Testament deals with this issue. The fact that they received the Holy Spirit means they are beneficiaries of the New Covenant and ultimately part of the Blessed people promised in the Abrahamic Covenant. The Bible definitely mentions God the Spirit quite a bit, but when we're talking about beginnings and firsts such as Pentecost and Gentile inclusion (the two examples you gave) it makes sense that He's mentioned very specifically.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
That makes sense. Thanks Tyler!
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Great question Lindsay! Many people believed in Jesus for salvation but the Holy Spirit was not ushered to embody believers until after the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). If you were a believer before that, you had to receive the gift of the Holy Sprint that Jesus talked about after by the laying on of hands, symbolized by tongues. You and I became believers long after the Holy Spirit was given so we received Him at salvation. This is also true of people who became believers after the Holy Spirit was ushered in.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
That makes sense. Thanks Tyler!
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Hey Lindsay, great question. Let's start with I don't know, I'd have to think more about it.
My initial thought, however, is that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a fulfillment of the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31---that the law would be written on our hearts. Additionally, Jesus taught on the coming Holy Spirit in the Upper Room discourse in John. Thus, the Holy Spirit's presence in Acts 2 was the fulfillment that the New Covenant has arrived. Additionally, when Gentiles such as Cornelius received the Holy Spirit as a part of their conversion, the Jews could not deny them salvation. Gentile inclusion into God's plan and program was far more scandalous than we often appreciate. Much of the New Testament deals with this issue. The fact that they received the Holy Spirit means they are beneficiaries of the New Covenant and ultimately part of the Blessed people promised in the Abrahamic Covenant. The Bible definitely mentions God the Spirit quite a bit, but when we're talking about beginnings and firsts such as Pentecost and Gentile inclusion (the two examples you gave) it makes sense that He's mentioned very specifically.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
That makes sense. Thanks Tyler!
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Thanks for your insight Tim.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
That makes sense. Thanks Tyler!
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Hey Lindsay, great question. Let's start with I don't know, I'd have to think more about it.
My initial thought, however, is that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a fulfillment of the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31---that the law would be written on our hearts. Additionally, Jesus taught on the coming Holy Spirit in the Upper Room discourse in John. Thus, the Holy Spirit's presence in Acts 2 was the fulfillment that the New Covenant has arrived. Additionally, when Gentiles such as Cornelius received the Holy Spirit as a part of their conversion, the Jews could not deny them salvation. Gentile inclusion into God's plan and program was far more scandalous than we often appreciate. Much of the New Testament deals with this issue. The fact that they received the Holy Spirit means they are beneficiaries of the New Covenant and ultimately part of the Blessed people promised in the Abrahamic Covenant. The Bible definitely mentions God the Spirit quite a bit, but when we're talking about beginnings and firsts such as Pentecost and Gentile inclusion (the two examples you gave) it makes sense that He's mentioned very specifically.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
That makes sense. Thanks Tyler!
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
It didn't let me finish....
During Pentecost there was a physical manifestation of the Holy Spirit above believers' heads. After that the Bible just talks about people becoming believers, but receiving the Holy Spirit is not mentioned. Why?
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
That makes sense. Thanks Tyler!
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Hey Lindsay, great question. Let's start with I don't know, I'd have to think more about it.
My initial thought, however, is that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a fulfillment of the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31---that the law would be written on our hearts. Additionally, Jesus taught on the coming Holy Spirit in the Upper Room discourse in John. Thus, the Holy Spirit's presence in Acts 2 was the fulfillment that the New Covenant has arrived. Additionally, when Gentiles such as Cornelius received the Holy Spirit as a part of their conversion, the Jews could not deny them salvation. Gentile inclusion into God's plan and program was far more scandalous than we often appreciate. Much of the New Testament deals with this issue. The fact that they received the Holy Spirit means they are beneficiaries of the New Covenant and ultimately part of the Blessed people promised in the Abrahamic Covenant. The Bible definitely mentions God the Spirit quite a bit, but when we're talking about beginnings and firsts such as Pentecost and Gentile inclusion (the two examples you gave) it makes sense that He's mentioned very specifically.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
That makes sense. Thanks Tyler!
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Thanks for your insight Tim.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
That makes sense. Thanks Tyler!
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Hey Lindsay, great question. Let's start with I don't know, I'd have to think more about it.
My initial thought, however, is that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a fulfillment of the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31---that the law would be written on our hearts. Additionally, Jesus taught on the coming Holy Spirit in the Upper Room discourse in John. Thus, the Holy Spirit's presence in Acts 2 was the fulfillment that the New Covenant has arrived. Additionally, when Gentiles such as Cornelius received the Holy Spirit as a part of their conversion, the Jews could not deny them salvation. Gentile inclusion into God's plan and program was far more scandalous than we often appreciate. Much of the New Testament deals with this issue. The fact that they received the Holy Spirit means they are beneficiaries of the New Covenant and ultimately part of the Blessed people promised in the Abrahamic Covenant. The Bible definitely mentions God the Spirit quite a bit, but when we're talking about beginnings and firsts such as Pentecost and Gentile inclusion (the two examples you gave) it makes sense that He's mentioned very specifically.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
That makes sense. Thanks Tyler!
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Great question Lindsay! Many people believed in Jesus for salvation but the Holy Spirit was not ushered to embody believers until after the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). If you were a believer before that, you had to receive the gift of the Holy Sprint that Jesus talked about after by the laying on of hands, symbolized by tongues. You and I became believers long after the Holy Spirit was given so we received Him at salvation. This is also true of people who became believers after the Holy Spirit was ushered in.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
That makes sense. Thanks Tyler!
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Hey Lindsay, great question. Let's start with I don't know, I'd have to think more about it.
My initial thought, however, is that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a fulfillment of the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31---that the law would be written on our hearts. Additionally, Jesus taught on the coming Holy Spirit in the Upper Room discourse in John. Thus, the Holy Spirit's presence in Acts 2 was the fulfillment that the New Covenant has arrived. Additionally, when Gentiles such as Cornelius received the Holy Spirit as a part of their conversion, the Jews could not deny them salvation. Gentile inclusion into God's plan and program was far more scandalous than we often appreciate. Much of the New Testament deals with this issue. The fact that they received the Holy Spirit means they are beneficiaries of the New Covenant and ultimately part of the Blessed people promised in the Abrahamic Covenant. The Bible definitely mentions God the Spirit quite a bit, but when we're talking about beginnings and firsts such as Pentecost and Gentile inclusion (the two examples you gave) it makes sense that He's mentioned very specifically.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
That makes sense. Thanks Tyler!
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Thanks for your insight Tim.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
That makes sense. Thanks Tyler!
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Hey Lindsay, great question. Let's start with I don't know, I'd have to think more about it.
My initial thought, however, is that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a fulfillment of the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31---that the law would be written on our hearts. Additionally, Jesus taught on the coming Holy Spirit in the Upper Room discourse in John. Thus, the Holy Spirit's presence in Acts 2 was the fulfillment that the New Covenant has arrived. Additionally, when Gentiles such as Cornelius received the Holy Spirit as a part of their conversion, the Jews could not deny them salvation. Gentile inclusion into God's plan and program was far more scandalous than we often appreciate. Much of the New Testament deals with this issue. The fact that they received the Holy Spirit means they are beneficiaries of the New Covenant and ultimately part of the Blessed people promised in the Abrahamic Covenant. The Bible definitely mentions God the Spirit quite a bit, but when we're talking about beginnings and firsts such as Pentecost and Gentile inclusion (the two examples you gave) it makes sense that He's mentioned very specifically.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
That makes sense. Thanks Tyler!
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Good job Pastor Tim! You helped me understand it more.
Thank you! Great to have you as a reader!
Amen. God uses people who obey and share, leaving the results to Him. Grateful to be back after a long absence on hear. I have not been good about really studying the Word, but looking forward to resuming that by the power of the Holy Spirit
Great to have you Rasheed!!