Sunday, June 23, 2024
[Peter related what Cornelius said to him:] "He told us how an angel had appeared to him in his home and had told him, 'Send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He will tell you how you and everyone in your household can be saved!'"
Luke emphasizes the theme of salvation in his gospel and in the book of Acts.* We should not be surprised that he points explicitly to what hangs in the balance for Cornelius in Peter's visit: "He will tell you how you and everyone in your household can be saved!" The salvation of non-Jews is the issue. Do Gentiles first have to become proselytes (converts to Judaism) to be considered Christians? No! They need to believe in Jesus, turn from their life of sin to live for God (repent), receive the Holy Spirit, and be baptized. If they do those four things — the same four things that happen on the day of Pentecost with Jewish believers (Acts 2:36-41) — then they are disciples of Jesus and saved! They don't need to become converts to Judaism to be faithful followers of Jesus!
* See the Related Scripture Readings below.
Dear Father, I ask that you not only forgive us for the many ways we sometimes erect barriers to people becoming followers of Jesus but that you also change us. Please use the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to these unnecessary barriers so that we can remove them and invite others to believe in Jesus as Lord, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit. Use us to make new disciples and then love them into full fellowship in our families, groups, and congregations. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
![Illustration of Acts 11:13-14 NLT — [Peter related what Cornelius said to him:] "He told us how an angel had appeared to him in his home and had told him, 'Send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He will tell you how you and everyone in your household can be saved!'"](https://img.heartlight.org/overlazy/creations/24755.jpg "Illustration of Acts 11:13-14 NLT — [Peter related what Cornelius said to him:] \"He told us how an angel had appeared to him in his home and had told him, 'Send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He will tell you how you and everyone in your household can be saved!'\"")
Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.
Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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