This Sunday we arrive at a pivotal moment in the story of the early church—the day when God’s Spirit moved in a dramatic and definitive way to usher Gentiles into the community of faith. No longer would they need to convert to Judaism first and follow Jewish religious rules in order to follow Jesus. Now they could directly begin a new life solely through faith in Christ. This story unfolds in Acts 10, as God gives a series of visions to the Apostle Peter and to the centurion Cornelius.
Here Peter comes to understand that “God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him,” which is a powerful and poignant message for our world today. God has no favorite country or culture. God accepts us freely, calling all people to have what Scripture calls “the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom.”
Speaking to the Jerusalem council later about his bold decision to baptize Cornelius and his household, Peter says, “Who was I that I could hinder God?” (Acts 11:17). So may this same wise mind and warm heart be within us, as we watch for the new things God is doing, and strive to follow the Spirit’s lead in our daily lives, in our families, in our community, and in Christ’s church.
Scripture for Sunday: Selections from Acts 10 Read or Listen
Sermon Title: “When the Spirit Moves”