This week we pick up our reading of Acts again at the beginning of chapter 11. We left the story with Paul, having travelled to the home of Cornelius, sharing the good news of Jesus with his household and, to the astonishment of those with Peter, seeing God’s Spirit poured out “even on the Gentiles”…
Grace
To identify how to unveil and resist the powers.
Readings
Reading deeper…
Jim Reiher, The Book of Acts: A Social Justice Commentary, Chapter 9.
Devotion 1
Wait: Take time to sit in silence together, allowing space for God’s voice to be heard.
Read: Acts 11:1-18
Reflection:
When Peter comes back to Jerusalem he is met with questions from some very concerned people. “Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?” (v3). The believers in Jerusalem seem to be questioning Peter’s actions and faith at practicing what was for them such radical inclusion—Is Peter straying from ‘orthodoxy’? Is he acting outside of God’s law? Will this ‘theologically reckless’ trip to Caesarea create dangerous precedents for the fledgling church?
Yet Peter stands firm and begins to explain what happened. As he tells them his story—of the vision of animals, the men coming from Caesarea, and the Spirit’s wonderful activity amongst Cornelius’ household, the questioning Jerusalem believers can’t help but see God’s at work, so they could even exclaim, “Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life” (v18).
Ask:
- Are there ways that you have seen God include people who have been excluded by the church?
- How might you practice this radical inclusion in your neighbourhood this week?
Share:
- Communion
Pray:
- Share in a time of prayer
- The Lord’s Prayer
Devotion 2
Take time to sit in silence, aware of the presence of God’s Spirit
Read: Acts 11:19-26
“I sometimes wonder what would have become of Paul if Barnabas had not been such a good friend to him. He might have died in obscurity in Tarsus. He might have been a part of a small work there that never did anything particularly noteworthy at all…
Whatever you think regarding such things, one thing is clear. Barnabas is a wonderful example of a gracious and caring person who was prepared to give people a go, find people for ministry, encourage others in their work, and not seek the spotlight for himself. What a remarkable person! What an inspiring example of humility and encouragement!”1
Hebrews 3:12-13 says, “Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
Ask:
- Are we encouraging people? How do we consciously think about lifting others up? How do we help others to succeed? How do we help others into ministry opportunities? Or do we think more about how much we want to succeed? How much we want ministry opportunities?
- How can we increase our ‘encouragement activity’ to bless and build up others?
Share: Communion
Pray:
- Ask God to give you opportunities to encourage others today
- End with the Lord’s prayer
1. Jim Reiher, The Book of Acts: A Social Justice Commentary. Dandenong: UNOH, 2014, 112.
Devotion 3
Wait: Take time to sit in the silence of thanksgiving together, aware of God’s loving kindness toward us.
Read: Acts 11:27-30
Ask:
- How do you see God’s Spirit active in this story?
- How might this story shape the way we live this week?
Share: Communion
Pray:
- Share in a time of prayer
- End with the Lord’s prayer
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