God for All

The Christian Community Comes Alive
Giving Bold Testimony

Peter Takes a Risk

Acts 10:39-48  The Message

^39-43 “And we saw it, saw it all, everything he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem where they killed him, hung him from a cross. But in three days God had him up, alive, and out where he could be seen. Not everyone saw him—he wasn’t put on public display. Witnesses had been carefully handpicked by God beforehand—us! We were the ones, there to eat and drink with him after he came back from the dead. He commissioned us to announce this in public, to bear solemn witness that he is in fact the One whom God destined as Judge of the living and dead. But we’re not alone in this. Our witness that he is the means to forgiveness of sins is backed up by the witness of all the prophets.”
^44-46 No sooner were these words out of Peter’s mouth than the Holy Spirit came on the listeners. The believing Jews who had come with Peter couldn’t believe it, couldn’t believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on “outsider” non-Jews, but there it was—they heard them speaking in tongues, heard them praising God.
^46-48 Then Peter said, “Do I hear any objections to baptizing these friends with water? They’ve received the Holy Spirit exactly as we did.” Hearing no objections, he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Then they asked Peter to stay on for a few days.

For Reflection 

Who saves?  Peter witnessed to the Christ event.  He brought people together.  But, Peter did not "save" them!  The Holy Spirit called the listeners to become brothers and sisters in Christ.  Even though they were outsiders, Peter recognized God's will and baptized them in the name of Jesus Christ.

Pray

for those who recognize the will of God.  Pray for those who yearn for spiritual inclusion will listen for God's call.  Pray that you might be one who leads another to the well of living water so that the Spirit which resides in them will be a welcome voice.