Acts 11 vs. 11-18
Scripture:
[11] And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. [12] And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. [13] And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; [14] he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ [15] As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. [16] And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ [17] If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” [18] When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
Observation:
God went first and set the whole thing up. First God spoke to Peter in visions three times. Showing him a new way of thinking.. that salvation is for everyone who will know Jesus as their savior, not only for the circumcised. Peter argued with God because he didn’t understand. He was hearing something that, until then, he believed to be false. But then, Peter reacted. As directed by the Holy Spirit, he listened and obeyed. Then God sent the three men in only God’s perfect timing.
Net yet a follower of Jesus, the man in the house listened to the angel and then sent for Peter. God reached out for him and he was open enough to listen and obey. What is this “..he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved..”? Why should he have even cared? But he did, and he obeyed. He opened the door when God knocked. He was open to hearing the Word. He was open to salvation.
Application:
It is okay to argue with God when we don’t understand but in the end, we need to listen. We need to obey and go out when God tells us and the Spirit leads us. Yes, we are saved but God will use us if we let him. This is not just a suggestion, to be used in helping others come to salvation, it is a mandate. He did not commission us to relax once we are saved. He will move to put people in our path with yees and hearts open to hear the Word. We are to respond with action. If we don’t know what to say or do when God puts these people in our path, don’t worry, the Spirit will lead us.
Prayer:
Lord I love you. I pray I recognize the people you put in my path who are open to your Word. Holy Spirit lead me. Use me as you choose and speak through me. Give me words and actions because I know that I am inadequate without you. In Jesus’ holy name I pray, amen.