David Bahn – Reflections

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Acts 10:34-48

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, ³⁵ but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. ³⁶ As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), ³⁷ you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. ³⁹ And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, ⁴⁰ but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, ⁴¹ not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

⁴⁴ While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. ⁴⁵ And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. ⁴⁶ For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, ⁴⁷ “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

We are entitled people. We would never wish to admit it – even to ourselves. But we are entitled people. We are entitled to free speech, Thanksgiving turkey, access to HDTV football games, Black Friday sales, and same-day delivery. And when it comes to worship and church, we church shop. Some even faith shop: let’s just choose which set of beliefs we’ll hold to. We can even make a conglomeration of our own spirituality.

And before we claim that we’re not that bad, let me ask: do you have your favorite pew, pastor, preacher, or Lord’s Prayer version? I kinda do. and when we travel, I don’t think twice about whether it’s OK for me to attend a local Lutheran Church. And while I may speak with the pastor before attending communion, I do expect that I will be admitted to the sacrament. I suspect I’m not the only one.

That’s not totally wrong or presumptuous on our part. But it might be a blind spot in our attitude toward worship, faith, and salvation. We might easily overlook how remarkable it is to be a member of the household of faith. This blessing is undeserved. We have no right to it. Too often we take that for granted.

It wasn’t so in the earliest days of the Christian faith. The Word of the Lord is growing into Cornelius’  household in Samaria. But this is no place for entitlement. Peter has to ask, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” In other words, it was clear that these new believers were to be admitted to the fellowship of the redeemed. But Peter had to say it. 

The proof that these new believers were to be received as brothers and sisters in Christ was in the obvious and outward evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence. The new believers were speaking in tongues and extolling God. The presence and outpouring of the Holy Spirit was the proof of their conversion and their proper place in the Body of Christ.

This is a milestone in the spread of the Gospel. The Apostles are bringing their witness into Samaria. Jerusalem and Judea has heard. Soon people in the ends of the earth will hear and believe. God is putting his seal of approval on this expansion of the Gospel and the fellowship of believers.

Next time someone new sits in your pew, or a new worship song is introduced, or a new group of leaders comes forward, welcome them. We have been grafted into the vine. Neither they nor we are entitled to this. But there is room for more. And God wants all people to be saved. We’re all welcome in Christ’s church. The proof of this is in the cross of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts: faith, love, mission, and peace.