In the dispute over circumcision, Peter, Barnabas, and Paul began by remembering what God has done. Acts 10 tells the story of Peter meeting and preaching to Cornelius, a Roman centurion. The Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles just as He had on the disciples earlier. When Peter returned to Jerusalem after this incident, hardliners …
God opens doors spiritually, as Paul and Barnabas experienced on their mission trip. Paul and Barnabas, led by the Holy Spirit, retraced their steps to strengthen those they had discipled. Acts 14:24 Then they traveled back through Pisidia to Pamphylia. 25 They preached the word in Perga, then went down to Attalia. 26 Finally, they returned by ship …
Even though the Jews resisted the Gospel message, Paul and Barnabas continued to be a light to the Gentiles. Acts 13: 46 Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, “It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of …
God demonstrated His grace for the Gentiles through Saul and Barnabas. Jews had always considered that they were the only people of God and had excluded the Gentiles. However, God had always planned to include the Gentiles. The prophets had foretold what Jesus, the Messiah, would do. Isaiah 49: 6 He says, “You will do more …
As the message of Jesus spread, the believers began to understand that the Gospel is for the Gentiles, too. What seemed chaotic was actually God’s quiet strategy. After Stephen’s death, believers were scattered by persecution, carrying wounds, grief, and uncertainty. Yet as they traveled to Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, they carried something stronger than pain: …
Being an instrument of God to build His Kingdom is a gift only He can bestow upon us. As the story of Saul—whom we later come to know as the Apostle Paul—unfolds, he believes he is building God’s Kingdom by persecuting believers. Yet on his way to Damascus to continue this mission, the Lord suddenly …
We see a surprising and an unusual offering requirement in the Festival of Weeks. God asks for two loaves made of the flour from the new crop of wheat and made with yeast. In addition to these loaves, He also requires multiple burnt offerings, a sin offering, and a peace offering. Leviticus 23:17 From wherever you …
Jesus had unexpected seekers following his birth. These men were not Jews but Gentiles from the east. Matthew 2:1Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his …
The Magi were Gentiles but were seeking the newborn king of the Jews. The Jews were to take the light of God to the world but had failed. Yes, some people came into the Jewish faith, but there were few. With the birth of Jesus, God would do something new that would open the way …
The story of the Holy Spirit falling on Cornelius and his household while Peter preached is sometimes called the Third Pentecost. Jesus had given instructions about the first Pentecost before He returned to heaven. Acts 1:4b“Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized …