David Bahn – Reflections

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. – Acts 10:44-48

When I was in high school I was on the staff of the school newspaper and year book. As a photographer I was given a press pass. I used it for all it was worth. At the football games and other sports events, I would flash my press pass and gain free entry, and access to the sidelines. Whenever I could I would take advantage of that access. It was pretty heady for a 16-year-old boy – even though the evidence was a laminated piece of flimsy cardboard. It was evidence of my status and privilege.

On this occasion evidence of God acceptance was much more significant: the obvious and outward presence of the Holy Spirit. Even more important, this event signifies the opening of the gospel to a whole new class of people. Gentiles would be welcomed fully into the fellowship of Jesus’ followers.

If you look at the book of Acts – sometimes called the Gospel of the Holy Spirit – you will find that the outward manifestation of the gift of the Holy Spirit comes at three significant moments in the unfolding of the mission of God.

• The first happens at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit moved the apostles to speak of the wonderful deeds of God in various languages.
• The second time is here (Acts 10) when the Gospel makes the move into the gentile peoples. This is a landmark case, making a point: Gentiles are legitimate heirs to the rule and reign of God.
• The third occurrence is when “some disciples” were learned to have been baptized into John’s baptism, but not Jesus’ baptism. When they were baptized in Jesus’ name, and they receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1–7).

Some would want to make the presence and the outward manifestation of the Holy Spirit the proof of conversion to the faith. Some would even say that such outward manifestation is necessary to conversation to the faith. There is no biblical basis for such a claim. But this manifestation was God’s testimony to the authenticity of these Gentile’s faith and place in the kingdom of God, and his vindication of Peter’s preaching to the Gentiles.

I wonder if we realize how much of a privilege we have to call on Jesus, to be saved, and to live under the rule and reign of Christ. The message of the Christian church in North America seems focused on trying to get people to want to come to church, rather than proclaiming the fact that God receives all kinds and manner of people for Jesus’ sake. But that is exactly what Jesus does: he receives all who come to him, who call on his name, and who receive his gift of life and salvation – which is not reserved only for the Jewish people.

That’s good news for most of us reading this post: were it not for Peter’s witness to these Gentile people, God’s vindication of their conversion, and the unfolding movement of the rule and reign of God into the hearts of more and more people from every tribe, nation, and language, you and I would likely not be reading this or rejoicing in God’s salvation through faith in Jesus. But here we are. Thanks be to God!

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.” – Acts 10:34-43

Diane and I recently went to see a Broadway production of The Lion King, playing at the Hobby Center in downtown Houston. I was struck that the audience was comprised of all ages and kinds of people. Children with their parents and grandparents (why didn’t I see that coming?). Older folks all decked out in going-to-a-broadway-play finery. Young millennials single, couples, and groups of friends. Two older gentlemen – of foreign ethnicity by the evidence of their accent – sat next to us. The place was packed with all kinds of people. We had managed to buy the last two seats together for that performance.

And what a performance! The costuming was extraordinary! The choreography was outstanding! The music was rich. The grand entrance of all the animals was actually moving as we saw actors costumed as giraffes so graceful, with all the others: gazelles, an elephant, and many others. The creativity brought to this production was stunning.

They were celebrating the circle of life. They were living it out – amidst the realities of struggle, envy, greed, and all that goes with life in a fallen world. And they were sharing their worldview: a pantheistic, ancestor-worship-shaped, and fatalistic spin on life played out within the context of the struggle between good and evil.

Peter offers us a rather different worldview, based on God’s impartial love for all people, the work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus and his ultimate rule and reign in Jesus. Peter is speaking to a group of people of all ages and types: soldiers, servants, parents, children, and grandparents. He offers a message that is for all people.

God sent Jesus to do good: a man anointed with the Holy Spirit, living a life of perfect faithfulness, healing the people and teaching the truth of God. John had prepared the way, calling for people to repent. Jesus came and showed God’s love for all people. For all that, Jesus was put to death by the religious leaders. But God raised him up: vindicating Jesus’ perfect life of faithfulness, grace and truth. Jesus will be the judge of the living and the dead on the Great Last Day.

Our place in all this is to repent and believe the good news of Jesus’ redemption, forgiveness, and salvation. Our calling is to believe that God is good, and his mercy endures forever. Our place is at the foot of the “tree” on which Jesus died, believing the message of all of Scripture – Old Testament and New Testament – that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins, by his name.

Our celebrations are often not dramatically-creative; though at Christmas and Easter we do tend to make a big deal. But we do well to celebrate this – all of us: young and old, rich and poor (there were not many poor people inside the Hobby Center the other night), men and women, boys and girls. We live that out in the context of struggle, joy, disappointment, success, brokenness, hope, and grace. This Good News worldview is also to be shared. That’s what Peter is doing here: announcing God’s grace and salvation, forgiveness and mercy in Jesus to all people.

Jesus’ rule and reign of grace and love in the heart of the believer is a cause of celebration (cf. Luke 15:10). His rule and reign shapes the way we live with each other (cf. Colossians 3:14-16). What a joy this message is to share, by which we ourselves are strengthened (cf. Philemon 1:6).

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.” – Acts 10:34-43

There was a heated and contentious exchange recently between Senator Bernie Sanders and Russell Vought, President Trump’s nominee for deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget. It was framed in such a manner that Mr. Vought could not easily express the truth of Peter’s statement: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him” (v. 34-35). That is not all that Peter said, but it would have been a good starting point, especially had Vought been able to quote Peter further on: “As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)…” (v. 36). 

I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the issue of salvation that has been won for us by Jesus’ sacrificial death and his resurrection from the dead, and how that relates to a key teaching of the New Testament and of Jesus in particular: the rule and reign of God (usually translated as “kingdom of God”).

Too often the matter of salvation is set up as a choice between two options. The first is if you don’t believe in Jesus you’re going to hell. The second amounts to God loves all people and will surely save good people. The problem with the first statement – true as it may be on one level – is that it reduces faith to a check-the-box exercise. Check the right box and you get a prize. The problem with the second statement (which seems to align with Peter’s comment in v. 34) is that while we may indeed identify some people as outwardly good, Jesus called even his disciples “evil”! (cf. Matthew 7:11). We all need redemption. Apart from the grace of God in Jesus Christ we are all lost.

Here is where the rule and reign of God comes into play: God rules over all things through his Son, Jesus Christ. He rules the world in his great power. He rules the Christian in his realm of grace. He rules the coming kingdom in glory. So it is this: We are all under the rule and reign of Christ – like it or not. That’s what Peter says, “he is Lord of all.” The question is whether we wish to be under his rule of grace, and ultimately glory. We are all under Jesus reign of power for he upholds “the universe with the might of his power” (cf. Hebrews 1:3). That is true for all people.

To be in the realm of Jesus’ grace and glory, however, is a matter of faith. Those who look to him will not be disappointed. Those who do not will be eternally sad. His will, however, is that all people look to him and are saved. God wants all people to rejoice in his glorious grace (cf. Ephesians 1:5-6), centered in Christ Jesus, and to delight in his true and eternal glory.

The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. ²⁴ And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. ²⁵ When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. ²⁶ But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” ²⁷ And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. ²⁸ And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. ²⁹ So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”

³⁰ And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing ³¹ and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. ³² Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ ³³ So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” – Acts 10:23b-33

There are those who speak truth so deeply that I want to hang on every word. One was a seminary professor who had a delightful way with words and thoughts. Another is a wordsmith whose books contain such wonderful stories and turns of phrases that I want to devour them over and over.

I don’t do the same with owners manuals. Those are reserved for times of trouble and problem-solving. They may contain important and true information. Some of the directives may even be vitally important to know and follow. If you don’t change your oil regularly your engine will eventually break!

If you think of God’s word as coming from the owners manual, and his commandments as directions for maintaining a good life, you may be less inclined to want to read and hear what God has to say. Thankfully God’s word is much more than a collection of directions and problem-solving tools.

God’s mission is not simply to give you a good life, or help you succeed, or build a good family (good as those may be!). So his word is not simply a page or paragraph from the Owner’s manual. His words are the words of life itself. They are sweet to the taste and give balm to the soul.

God is writing a story in your life and mine. It started from the foundations of time. It became real and observable in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. The story continued through people like Peter and the early missionary/apostles. Cornelius was eager to hear how that story would unfold. It’s still unfolding in people’s lives today. Are you ready to listen? Stay tuned, and read on.

The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. ¹⁰ And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance ¹¹ and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth.¹² In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. ¹³ And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” ¹⁴ But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” ¹⁵ And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” ¹⁶ This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

¹⁷ Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate ¹⁸ and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there.¹⁹ And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. ²⁰ Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” ²¹ And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” ²² And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” ²³ So he invited them in to be his guests. – Acts 10:9-23

How can you tell the difference between a message from God conveyed in a dream, and a wild idea you imagine in the middle of the night because you at some bad onions? It isn’t just a matter of doing godly things. The message “PC” in the sky was interpreted by a farmer as “Preach Christ.” He was a very poor preacher and someone suggested to him that the “PC” might have easily meant, “Plant Corn.” How do you tell what God is saying and how he is guiding you? How do you make that call?

Peter has a dream that he doesn’t quite understand. This is most likely due to the fact that the message he was being given was so remarkably different from his religious practice, understanding, and sensibilities. How was he to apply what God was telling him in the dream? How much credence should he give to the message he had received in the dream? How could he determine whether this was truly of God or not?

At this point in the story we actually do not know the answer. But further evidence of God’s hand in the prayer and the request of Cornelius’ messengers is soon to come to light. Sometimes in such situations we must simply “do the next thing.” At this point Peter agrees to meet Cornelius. That was the next thing. He doesn’t immediately go back to Jerusalem and tell everyone that the Jewish ceremonial laws were no longer in force. He simply takes the next step.

God will reveal his plan in due time. For now we simply need to do the next thing. It is in doing that next thing that we may discover that God is up to something much bigger than  we could ever imagine.

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. – Acts 10:1-8

The Good News of the forgiveness of sins is precious to me personally. I need forgiveness daily. I am a sinner. Out of that forgiveness I also seek to live a godly, and God-honoring life. Part of that includes the discipline of writing this devotional blog. I don’t have many readers. I don’t try to be deeply profound. But it is important to me, personally, that I reflect on the Word daily. This is my discipline, and if it edifies others, so much the better. 

The spiritual disciplines of Cornelius is known by people to the extent that Luke reports it here. He tells us that Cornelius was, “a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.” It is noteworthy that it is to this man that God sends an angel who prepares the way for Peter to visit as part of a significant revelation regarding the salvation of the gentiles. 

The angel announces that Cornelius’ prayers have been heard and his generosity has been noticed by God. We have no clear statement about the length of time he had been devoutly praying and giving. We know, however, that it was long enough that his whole household was faithful. This would have included multiple generations, his household servants, and apparently some of the soldiers who attended him. His was, as Eugene Peterson would describe, a “long obedience in the same direction.”

Living under the gracious and salvation-giving rule and reign of Jesus is a matter of faith. It is a gift of God, the essential element of the Good News of Jesus’ love and redemption. Faithfulness in embracing that grace places God’s people in a position to be a part of his redemptive work in the lives of others. Faith will manifest itself in various ways. Cornelius has been saved. Peter will explain that truth to him and the people Cornelius gathers when Peter visits. Cornelius’ blessing is also that he was able to play a part in a major turn of events in the spread of the Good News of Jesus. 

The gift of God’s salvation and our place in the heart of God through the Good News of Jesus is enough in and of itself. Sometimes, however, God allows us to be a part of his story of grace in others’ lives. That is a privilege beyond measure.

Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. ³⁷ In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. ³⁸ Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” ³⁹ So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. ⁴⁰ But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. ⁴¹ And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. ⁴² And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. ⁴³ And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner. – Acts 9:36-43

I recall attending a concert at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, Texas at which Itzhak Perlman performed. Perlman is a world renowned violinist; one whose presence and performance is unparalleled in the orchestral world. I remember saying to a total stranger that night, “I think this is the most famous person I have ever heard perform.” Itzhak Perlman was and is a true superstar. We paid a premium price for the tickets to that concert, and it was well worth it. He played beautifully.

You might list any number of people whom you would rate as highly-famous superstar types. In his day, Peter was one such a superstar – together with Dorcas, the woman who had died and who Peter raised to life. These people are larger than life to many people. Their impact was so profound that Peter was sought out at the time of Dorcas’ death.

In the end – after Peter restores her to life – the widows and saints are called together to rejoice in the work of God. It is remarkable to me that the effect of Peter’s healing, the impact of Dorcas’ death and restoration is sufficient for a special call out to these other two groups. When they come, we are told that many believed in the Lord.

Christians who are called to extraordinary works of mission, grace, healing, or service will seek to point people to God, not themselves. I’m sure that when Dorcas got up, she had her handiwork put away: “No more fuss for me,” would have been her commentary. “This is Jesus’ work. I do what I do for his glory.” Peter, too, would not wish to be the focus of anyone’s worship.

When people do great things and point others to God, it takes away the penchant toward envy. Widows (the least secure or strong in society) and saints (those most dedicated to Jesus) alike will be emboldened to look to Jesus and seek his favor. Perhaps they will even focus our hearts on God’s goodness and move us to dedicate ourselves more fully to God. For Jesus is the source of healing, hope, life, and salvation. Those who look to him rejoice in his goodness, grace, salvation, and eternal love shown to saints, widows, superstars and all who believe in Jesus.

Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. ³³ There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. ³⁴ And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. ³⁵ And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. – Acts 9:32-35

It might be as simple as a run of bad experiences with a certain brand of clothing. It could be as major as a complete loss of trust with your doctor. Sometimes it’s a visit to the doctor and the words, “You’ve got diabetes.” It can be a real turning point. Often they are brought on by more negative events: illness, loss of job, breakdown of a relationship.

But once in a while these turning points come as a result of a very good turn of events: you meet Mr. Right. You get a large promotion and pay raise. You discover that you are an heir to a fortune of which you had no previous knowledge.

Such is the case in these few verses from Acts 9. Peter encounters Aeneas and brings God’s healing power to him. His life is changed. He’s standing upright. His future is not to be lived from the sickbed any longer. God has come calling in a dramatic way.

Whole towns can be changed by these turning points. In this case it was Lydda. When the people there saw Aeneas healed and well, strong and upright, they were amazed. They turned to the Lord. Their outlook was changed because Aeneas’ outlook was changed.

I wonder what we might examine more closely that would yield a new outlook toward God ourselves. Have we seen someone’s life changed by God’s intervention and healing? Have we overlooked some great work of God in a friend’s life and failed to grasp the extent of God’s grace and how it is meant to turn us to God?

God works in people’s lives not only for their own good, but for the good of all people. His desire is to bring us close to him, to ground us in the truth of Jesus Christ and the grace of forgiveness. When we see him at work in others, we do well to turn to him in thankful faith.

When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, ²⁴ but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him,²⁵ but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

²⁶ And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. ²⁷ But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.²⁸ So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. ²⁹ And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. ³⁰ And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

³¹ So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. – Acts 9:23-31

I have a very special afghan blanket that I received as a Christmas gift some years ago. It has the words of the Lord’s Prayer woven into it, and I find that blanket to be very comforting – especially when I’m not feeling well, or in some way needing comfort. I love the Lord’s Prayer in and of itself. I believe that Jesus’ words there embody a full and rich breadth of our relationship with God and one another, and form a deep foundation for prayer in general. When, furthermore, I am needing the extra comfort of God’s mercy, love, and help, I find it so very calming literally to “wrap myself in the Lord’s Prayer.”

That thought was triggered by the interesting phrase in Acts 9:31, “…in the comfort of the Holy Spirit…” the church multiplied. Interesting: the comfort of the Holy Spirit is connected to the multiplication of the church on this occasion.

Certainly that is in part true due to the terrible and dramatically-close encounter of the followers of Jesus in Damascus who had been threatened by Saul and those who wanted to put an end to the church. If their chief persecutor was now neutralized (to say the very least), they could enjoy a time of peace and no longer cower under threat of Saul and his ilk.

Notice, however, that this comfort of the Holy Spirit is shaped and held along with the fear of God. It reminds me of Martin Luther’s explanation to the Ten Commandments, in which he explains the first commandment in the simple but powerful words, “We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.” Then he begins each succeeding commandment’s explanation with the words, “We should fear and love God so that…”

Comfort that is not held in check by the fear of God is a formula for an impotent and eviscerated, form of faith that has little need for the true comfort of God. For in that mode, the only need for comfort is that of returning to our comfort zones, not for God’s abiding presence, courage, comfort, strength, and enlightening in the midst of the messiness and challenges of life lived outside our comfort zones for the sake of those who do not know Christ, or simply to be in the world but not of it.

Fear-less Christianity is Cozy Religion to which God has not called any of us. God’s comfort is most comforting to those who fear God and seek to follow Jesus every day of their lives. The comfort may come in a confidence in the face of persecution, or the ever-present need for God’s mercy and forgiveness. In the fear of God we may also say, “Thanks be to God for his enduring grace, comforting presence, and for people like Saul who spent his life bringing the message of Good News in Jesus to more and more people.

For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. ²⁰ And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” ²¹ And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” ²² But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. – Acts 9:19b-22

There are those who say that they have no trouble with Jesus, but that their beef is with the church. They say they love Jesus, but not those who call themselves Christians. It’s tantamount to saying that the church is too full of hypocrites. One person offered a snappy reply to such an observation: “There’s always room for one more!” Ugh.

But think about it. If you’re really wanting to follow Jesus you will have a heart for sinners. You will not withdraw even from the self-righteous hypocrites, for Jesus would talk with them regularly – albeit in a confrontational mode, for they needed to be warned, and called to repentance. So to say you love Jesus but not his church is a dicey dance to say the least.

Jesus loves sinners, and he’s shown that in the conversion of Saul, the role of Ananias in bringing Saul to a place of restoration, and now in Saul’s ministry of advocating for Jesus among those who would deny him, or his message.

That takes two forms here in this section: One is the process of confounding those who deny that Jesus is the Christ. Some people make Jesus a do-gooder, a prophet, a teacher of love – but not the Savior of the World. Some make him a religious charlatan and a fraud. Saul had once thought the same, but his encounter and Ananias’ ministry had changed his heart. Now Saul’s rich wealth of Old Testament knowledge was overflowing in new clarity: it’s all about Jesus. Jesus is the fulfillment of all that God had promised through the Old Testament prophets. Saul is now confounding those who say otherwise. This was his work among the Jews.

Saul is also saying that Jesus is the Son of God. This is his work among those who don’t bring a strong Jewish sensibility and ethos into their worldview. Jesus is not just some religious figure. He is the Son of God.

Perhaps you know someone who thinks little of Jesus. That one well should hear that Jesus is to be taken quite seriously. Some may think that Jesus is important and good, but not the answer for all our spiritual needs. That one would do well to learn why Saul is confounding those who would dismiss Jesus in this subtle manner. Jesus is the Son of God and the Christ – the One anointed by God to be Savior of the world. He reaches out to all people with the grace of God and the truth of his word.