Guest Post by Gary McFadden
Acts 11:18
‘So then, even to the Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life’.
The scriptures tell us clearly that, particularly when we feel low, we should remember what the Lord has done for us with thankfulness.
Ps 77: 10-12
To this I will appeal…. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago, I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
We should, of course, do this as individuals calling to mind the way the Lord’s hand has been on our lives. But also our readings from Acts point us to the birth of the universal church which leads in an unbroken line to us, to our salvation and to the countless personal and societal blessings that have their root in the Kingdom of God.
The pattern is set for us at the house of Cornelius. Acting in obedience to the Lord a meeting is set up, the gospel is preached, those present believe and they receive the Holy Spirit which leads to Peter concluding that it must be okay to baptise them. The leaders of the early church then have the wisdom to conclude that the Lord has shown them clearly that the Kingdom extends beyond Israel to the whole world. To us!
Did they have issues to deal with, arguments fall outs afterwards? Absolutely, but a central principle had been established to our great blessing.
Even as this was taking place Paul, who had been sent to Tarsus because he was too controversial in Jerusalem at the time, was being prepared for his mission which would lead him all the way to Rome.
So, we do well to read these passages with thankfulness for what the Lord has given us. Thankfulness for people like Peter, Paul, Cornelius, Simon the Tanner. Thankfulness for Barnabas who from his early act of generosity through his patronage of Paul is a thread which does so much to bind this story together.
We also should not forget the lesson learned all those centuries ago that there are no boundaries or prejudices or sensibilities that prevent anyone receiving life.
‘So then, even to the Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life’.
Take out the word Gentiles from that verse and see if there is another group that does not fit.
No. What a reason to be thankful!