ACTS CHAPTER 10

MAIN THINGS

This is an important time for the church. The gospel has just gone to the Gentiles who were considered second class citizens, all were now able to receive the gospel. I am impressed by Peter’s willingness to follow God’s call even though it meant breaking the law and a good possibility of being rejected by all of his Jewish friends. This chapter also made me think about Jesus’ resurrection and that he only appeared to those that had followed Him previously. Jesus could have shown up for everyone to see, but He placed in the apostles’ and the believers’ hands the ministry of reconciliation. God started with the Gentile movement with a righteous and God-fearing man that was respected by the Jews even though he was a gentile. It is cool to think that God had already been working on Cornelius’ life even before the gospel was shared with him. We can trust in God to go before us as well.

QUESTIONS & THOUGHTS

-Who do you view as second class and undeserving of the gospel? We all have certain groups we are either intimidated by or we think are “too far gone.”

-God’s timing with Peter and the three men is incredible. I love stories of God’s timing. What story can you think of where God’s timing was perfect? Have you talked to someone right when God would have had you talk to them?

-Peter realized that God does not show favoritism. Check your heart, how much of a role does favoritism still play in your life? Do you care for and speak to people the same independent of their socioeconomic status? (Big word, huh)

-Here we see the Holy Spirit revealing Himself through tongues, is this the only way the Spirit can reveal Himself in our lives? If so, what other ways are there?

Note: They were baptized after receiving the Holy Spirit, this is a great place to take people who believe that you must first be baptized to be saved. Baptism was used to baptize people into the name and ministry of someone, they were saying publicly that they were in full agreement with Jesus.