Red and Yellow; Black and White, they are precious in His sight

Acts 10:15 “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean”

The ways God works and how He can clear prejudices, thoughts and notions is evident in how Peter learnt never to discriminate against God’s creatures.  God is no respecter of persons and we as his children should follow in his footsteps in the way we relate with others. We should neither be partial nor look down on people. We are all God’s children.

Redeeming Love

Isaiah 48:17b: I am the Lord your God who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.

Acts 10:4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it Lord?” he asked
The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God 

Saul (later Paul) is a good example of someone who pursued the wrong cause with a passion. Saul thought he was doing God’s will by persecuting members of the Way.  We also see  the depth of God’s redeeming love. God’s mercy and love enveloped him as he prepared to carry out more attacks on the disciples 

Like we are told in  2^nd Peter 3:9, God’s desire is for sinners to repent and be drawn to him. As Christians, we should seek and know what God’s will is so that we do not kick against the goads.

Ananias and Barnabas are also examples traits we should have as Christians.We are to obey, forgive, accept and  and build one another.

The redeeming love of Christ is also seen in Cornelius. Though he was a good man, he did not know Christ. This nullified all the good works he did and because God wants sinners to repent, a prepared Peter to lead Cornelius and family to him. 

He didn’t mind getting wet

(Title credit: Gaugert Rick)

Philip was an apostle who also left Jerusalem after the attacks. In Samaria, he fully blossomed as an apostle and was able to bring a city and her chief sorcerer to Christ.  That Samaria had accepted Christ brought the Church’s leaders- Peter and John to come and baptize the Samaritans in the Holy Spirit.

As the Holy Spirit began to direct Philip -and he obeyed- he was able to fulfill that calling of spreading the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth through sharing the good news with the Ethiopian Eunuch. Philip’s total obedience; going Gaza and approaching the Eunuch’s chariot as directed by the Holy Spirit illustrates to us the powers we have and the things we can achieve if we are led by the Spirit.  Living a life of the Spirit is something we should desire and covet because it will make living easy and fulfilling.

The Ethiopian’s humility also offers a lesson. A high ranking official listening to a stranger and also desiring the Holy Spirit baptism after hearing the gospel  to the extent that he requested to be baptized when he saw a pool of water  shows the hunger we should have for the things of God and leave all pride and ego behind.

Peace

Fulfillment of the Lord's Will

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)

The calling of the disciples was to spread the gospel not only in Jerusalem but other parts of the world. However, after the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples, it appears they skipped the part where they were to spread and not remain in Jerusalem.  God will always bring to pass what His purposes and we see in Acts  chapter 8 how He does that.  The aftermath of the stoning of Stephen was great persecution of the Church and the apostles except the original eleven began to disperse as a result of the harassment. Atimes, the difficulties we face are stepping stones to fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives. If the disciples did not face the hardship they faced, they might not have earnestly undertaken the call to spread the gospel. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 also reminds us that God lets us go through hardships so that we can comfort others with the comfort we receive from Him.  

Stephen- An apostle full of the Holy Spirit

Acts chapter 6 and chapter 7 is dedicated to the short but impactful ministry of Stephen. He was one of the 7 administrators chosen by the disciples to oversee the growing Christian ministry so the apostles will concentrate on their primary functions of prayer and ministry of the word.  As Stephen executed his duties, he shared the good news and performed “great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:9).

The lesson from this is that we as Christians can combine our spiritual calling as we interact in with the world (school, work, society). We do not have to compartmentalize our lives. Like Stephen, we may face opposition as we do this but because our testimony is sure, it will stand. 

We see Stephen in Chapter 7 bringing to the remembrance of his accusers and the Sanhedrin Israel’s history and relationship with God. He traces their history back to Abraham, Joseph and Moses, the deliverance of Israel, Joshua through David. He also notes the traitorous relationship Israelites have with God. How they wavered in their relationship with Him shortly after their deliverance from Egypt. He links this wavering relationship to their rejection and killing of Jesus Christ.  The history Stephen shared cut the hearts of his listeners deeply but rather than repent, his listeners hardened their hearts.

From Stephen, we learn that as children of God, we should seek knowledge and not be ignorant because the knowledge we have will be useful in our relationships and in our walk with Christ. Stephen clearly knew and understood the history of the Israelites.

Our deep knowledge of the word of God will be useful when we face challenges and battles and help us stand firm in our calling. Our knowledge will help us resist the enemy when he attacks us.

Finally, we learn from Stephen, the ability to forgive. In his dying moments, he prays that God should forgive his attackers. This show of love is incredible. Praying for one’s enemies as they take for themselves what they should not- life; which only God should give and take. Stephen gave himself fully to Christ that he did not mind giving up his life and also praying for his attackers asking that the Lord should not hold their sin against them.

May the Holy Spirit fill us and dwell in us such that we are totally given to Christ and dead to this world

Peace