Acts 10				Peter's new friend  							                 2.5.99

In Acts 10 the Holy Spirit expands His operation to take in Gentiles - people of non-Jewish origin.  With the possible exception of the Ethiopian official in ch 8 Cornelius and his family are the first real outsiders to Israel to come to faith in Jesus Christ.  Strategically the Spirit uses universally recognised church leader Peter and the phenomenon of speaking in tongues similar to what happened at Pentecost to make it clear that God intended to save not only Jews but people of all nations through His Son.

Let's look firstly at some things Simon Peter might not have done, contrast with those the vision, grace and love of God and assess the results:

1. a)  Peter being a Jew might not have visited a Roman centurion in the first place.  Jews had very strict rules about sharing a house or food with Gentiles.  So God visited Peter first to reassure his conscience and give him a whiff of the plan.

b) Peter being an Israelite might not have forgiven this officer in the occupying Roman army.  His natural resentment would have at best kept these men apart.  So God had to remind him that we are to forgive others even as God is willing to forgive us.  We're not to judge the book by the cover.  We mustn't call anything impure that God has made clean.

c) Peter, even after visiting and preaching to Cornelius might have hesitated about accepting their profession of faith and baptising them. This was new territory for the Early Church.  So the Holy Spirit baptised them first giving them the fruit of God's love, joy and peace in their hearts and the gift of tongues on their lips to express God's praise.  
Peter might not have grasped this opportunity. But God the Spirit did.  Contrast the attitude of God in this story.

2. a) God's vision is often far greater than ours.  We think it would be good to see some new life in our congregation - God wants to transform the whole town.  OK, so we want to see our town renewed - God wants to take Ireland.  But by the time we're up to speed on Ireland the Spirit of the Lord has designs on Europe.  We think it's just for middle class white Protestants, or if we don't think it we often act like it.  God sent His Son for the world, Jews, Protestants, Catholics, Moslems, Hindus, Atheists, rich, poor, young, old, respectable, criminal. No limits.  Will we allow God to replace our limited ambitions and programmes with His awesome vision?  

b) God's grace is often more generous than ours.  Instead of punishing us for our pride and indifference and antagonism towards Christ He offers forgiveness, new life, blessing as members of His family. Will we allow Him to replace the bitterness we might hold towards our neighbour with genuine sympathy and kindness similar to His own?

c) God's love is far more powerful than our human affection.  Instead of leading a revolt against the pagan Roman oppressors Jesus includes them in His Kingdom bringing together people of many different backgrounds and personalities to live and worship and work together in love in the family of God we call "church".  Will we allow Him to replace our spite and prejudice with His powerful love?

So what were the results when Simon Peter accepted God's vision, grace and love and did the things he might not have done?

3. a) Firstly salvation and new life for Cornelius and his family and friends.  Lives redeemed and renewed.  The Kingdom of God increased and expanded in a whole new direction and area.

b)  Secondly Peter's own horizons broadened.  Wow!  Jesus really did mean the world!  God cared for Gentiles too!  His mercy is open to people who are different, whose political views oppose ours, whose cultural background offends us. He's not going to stop until every tribe, nation and language, every people group on the planet have a chance to respond to His grace in Christ.

c) Finally a new basis for fellowship.  Peter the Jew now had the possibility of relationship, hospitality, friendship with Cornelius the Roman. The basis was not their culture or human loyalties but simply their common faith in Jesus Christ.  All who trust in the Saviour are indwelt by one Spirit, united together in one family with one Father, one Saviour.  From many people God is making one people.  The table around which we celebrate the Lord's Super is meant to be a symbol of the fellowship we share as God's people.

So let's ask in closing: what are the things we might not do?  What sort of people might we not want at our table fellowship?  What limits are we in effect trying to place on God's mission in this place?  What vision does He have for our lives, families, congregations, towns, communities, countries and world?  Will we allow Him to broaden our horizons and remould our lives to His will?

Amen Lord!  Let it be so!