Acts (10)

And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24.27

Be sure to view the video introducing our study of Acts 11 (Lesson 10) by clicking here.

Read and meditate on Acts 11.18.
After all, what could they say? Those objecting to Peter’s having gone into a Gentile’s home for a meal would look stupid and racist if they said, “But that’s not the point. The point is they’re Gentiles!” Even though that was their true objection – and they will come back to it again and again, and even Peter will get tripped up in their racial snobbery – but in view of the baptism of the Spirit coming to those Gentiles, those objecting simply kept silent; they didn’t have anything to say.

For reflection
1.  The sweet sound of silence indicated that Peter’s report had prevailed. What followed is important: The NKJV exactly captures the meaning of the Greek, edoxazon:They begin glorifying God. Or they repeatedly glorified God, or continued to glorify Him. What does it mean to glorify God? Given 1 Corinthians 10.31, it would seem to be pretty important that we understand this idea.

2.  Those who heard Peter’s report broke into praise, remarking to one another this wonderful work of God, and expressing glad surprise at what God had done through Peter’s witness. We are called to glorify God, and we can do so with our words, as we encourage and affirm one another with the great works God continues to do through His people in the ongoing work of Christ. But what does it mean to glorify God by our lives?

3.  This passage is important for another reason. It reminds us that even the most respected leaders in the Church are not free to act alone. All believers are accountable to the Spirit of God working within the Body of Christ. There is no human “head” of the Church, nor of any local church. Christ is the Head, and His Spirit is the animating power for the church’s work as sign and outpost of the Kingdom. How do you see this expressed or demonstrated in your church?

4.  The Spirit works through the community of faith, according to the Word of God and proven teachings of the apostles and the Church, to guide faith and practice in all ages. Is it important that church leaders and all believers have a good understanding of the struggles of the Church in the past? What they were, how they were resolved, and what they mean for us today?

5. How do you expect to glorify God with your life today? How can you prepare in order to help make sure you will glorify God at every opportunity?

Summary
It’s official: The Gospel of the Kingdom is for all nations and all people, not just for the Jews. The witness of the Spirit led the Church to submit to the Lord’s Kingdom agenda, and to pursue His ongoing work on new fronts. How does your church demonstrate that it believes God intends His Gospel for all the people in your community?

Closing Prayer
God be merciful to us and bless us,
And cause His face to shine upon us, Selah
That Your way may be known on earth,
Your salvation among all nations.
Let the peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.
Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy!
For You shall judge the people righteously,
And govern the nations on earth. Selah
Let the peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.

Psalm 67.1-5

T. M. Moore

Each week’s studies in Acts are bound together into a free PDF that you can download for personal or group use (click here). Each week also features a video related to the studies of the week, which you may find helpful as you work through our studies in Acts.

Acts is the record of Christ’s ongoing work as King and Lord. This is the work of bringing the Kingdom of God to earth as it is in heaven. Read more about the implications of this work in our new book, The Kingdom Turn (click here).

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