David Bahn – Reflections

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Acts 11:1-18

Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. ² So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, ³ “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” ⁴ But Peter began and explained it to them in order: ⁵ “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. ⁶ Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. ⁷ And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ ⁸ But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ ⁹ But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ ¹⁰ This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. 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.”

I can count on one hand the times I’ve seen a direct response of repentance to an admonition I’ve offered. That is partly because I don’t tend toward admonishment. It’s not my style. Perhaps it should be. Maybe I should be more direct and challenging. After all Jesus was often very challenging and quite direct. “Unless you repent,” he said on one occasion, “you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3) John the Baptizer also brought strong words to bear on the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to be baptized by him in the desert, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Matthew 3:6)

Take  for example, also the Old Testament prophets. They railed against the apostate Israelites.

[The LORD says,] I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.
¹⁴ Your new moons and your appointed feasts
    my soul hates;
they have become a burden to me;
    I am weary of bearing them.
¹⁵ When you spread out your hands,
    I will hide my eyes from you;
even though you make many prayers,
    I will not listen;
    your hands are full of blood.
¹⁶ Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
    remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes;
cease to do evil,
¹⁷     learn to do good;
seek justice,
    correct oppression;
bring justice to the fatherless,
    plead the widow’s cause. – Isaiah 1:14-17

But I am struck by Peter’s kinder, gentler approach. This isn’t an in-your-face confrontation like he offered in Acts 2:36, “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified [emphasis added].” But here it’s a kinder approach. And that simple word of grace had an outsized impact. Luke tells us, “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.’”

This is God’s gift – sending Jesus to save us, and sending messengers to bring his word to us. Add to that the gift of the Holy Spirit who moves our hearts to repent and believe.

I’ve seen short-term results from strong blasts from the pulpit. And I’ve seen life-changes through quiet and gentle admonition. This is the latter kind. I wish every soul was as open to this gentle message of God’s grace.

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Acts 11:1-18

Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. ² So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, ³ “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” ⁴ But Peter began and explained it to them in order: ⁵ “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. ⁶ Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. ⁷ And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ ⁸ But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ ⁹ But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ ¹⁰ This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. 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.”

When I was in college I fell in among some Jesus Freaks. They carried Bibles, made a point of their faith, and would ask – unashamedly – “Are you saved, brother? Are you saved, sister?” They were sincere and earnest in their beliefs. Jesus had a claim on their hearts that made a real difference.

I was pretty sincere in my faith at that time as well. I had joined the Lutheran Church at the Lutheran Chapel of Hope at SEMO University. The pastor, Rev. Robert Lange, was a dedicated and faithful servant who wanted to share the faith with others. So he organized an evangelism program in which I was involved. We would visit students in their dorms and ask them about their spiritual beliefs.

Our evangelistic approach was a bit more nuanced. We didn’t ask people if they were saved or not. We were taught to ask permission to ask a spiritual question. Have you come to the point that if you were to die tonight, you know you would go to heaven? Once that was answered (usually with “I hope so.”), we would follow up by asking, If you were to die tonight and stand before God, and he were to ask you, ‘Why should I let you into my heaven?’ What would you say?

Most often people would answer by saying something like, “I know I’m not perfect, but I try to live a good life. Then the conversation would begin. We’re all sinners, we would say. And the wages of sin is death.  We would talk about God’s gift of grace. Heaven is a free gift. It cannot be earned or deserved. We gain entry into heaven because of God’s grace. He forgives our sins for Jesus’ sake. Through faith in Jesus we are saved.

I’m not a fan of the “Are you saved?” approach to evangelism. It seems to beg the question, “Saved from what?!?” But the truth is, we all need to be saved. Our sins have separated us from God. His righteous judgment against us sinners is death and eternal damnation. Ugh. Pretty harsh. But nevertheless true.

I thought of that as I read this passage and noticed how Peter reports the angel’s message to Cornelius: ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’

That whole being saved thing must be important. It is a biblical term. So back to the question, “Saved from what?” It just might be that we are being saved from ourselves and our own short-sighted ideas of good and evil, right and wrong, truth and lies. We get it so wrong.

Want proof? How often do you check your foundational belief system against the Bible? How often do you look for a loophole, an end around, or some other means of avoiding the more difficult commandments of God, or the things that don’t add up? How easily do you close your eyes to things the Bible says because they don’t make sense or align with what you think ought to be? Left to our own devices we’ll take the forbidden fruit. And we’ll die. 

But God has saved us from this dreadful end. He sent Jesus to fulfill all righteousness for us. And through faith in him we are saved. We may not often think of it in such strident terms, but it is true and good and gracious. We’ve been saved. That’s a message we need to hear again and again. Maybe you know someone who needs to hear that message as well.

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Acts 11:1-18

Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. ² So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, ³ “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” ⁴ But Peter began and explained it to them in order: ⁵ “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. ⁶ Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. ⁷ And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ ⁸ But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ ⁹ But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ ¹⁰ This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. 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.”

The Rev. Dr. Jeff Gibbs is a good friend and seminary classmate. He was presenting at a pastors conference to which I had invited him. He was a seminary professor by that time, and was offering insights that were biblically sound and spiritually edifying. When one young pastor began to question his conclusions, Jeff answered him patiently. Well done, I thought. That should satisfy him. But, oh no. This young man was not so easily satisfied. He pressed harder. “But that means…” he insisted, laying out his argument against what my friend was saying. Of all the nerve, I thought! He’s just a young pastor with maybe 2 or three years experience. Jeff was 10 or more years into his ministry. He had a PhD, for goodness sake. But Jeff remained very calm and patient. I was almost ashamed that I wanted simply to tamp down the young pastor for his insolence. I was ashamed that I did not often display the patience Jeff did on this occasion. I know Jeff pretty well, and I suspect he would admit to having his moments as well – impatient moments. But not on this occasion.

I’m reminded of this when I read of how Peter answered the people who leveled their criticisms against him. Luke tells us that when they criticized him, “Peter began and explained it to them in order” what had brought this about. He will not just say, “I’m the leader of the Apostles. You just need to get in line with what I say.” He did not claim papal infallibility. He did not just dismiss them. He answered them, telling of how it all came about – the events that Luke records for us in the previous chapter of Acts.

Peter is not one I would think of as patient – based on his track record as a disciple of Jesus during his  three year ministry tour. He was more prone to brash declarations, self-confident pronouncements, and talk-now-think-later speeches. But he seems to have learned something from his time with Jesus, the on-going spiritual formation in the days following Jesus’ resurrection, and his experience on Pentecost. Speaking by the power of the Holy Spirit and seeing 3000 people brought to faith and being baptized on one day might make one arrogant. But all that and the most recent experience of the foods let down from heaven seem to have centered his heart. He is showing signs of patience here. Years later he would even write, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

Peter will patiently and in order lay out what had happened and how it was that he had indeed stayed with Gentiles and even eaten with them, and how God had given them the Holy Spirit just as he had others had come to believe in Jesus.

I shake my head. I want to take some lessons from Peter. I want to learn patience. I need to display more of it. Perhaps I need it also to be shown to me once in a while. Yes, perhaps I do.

Please pray these psalms with me on this Lord’s Day

Psalm 26:8-12

O Lord, I love the habitation of your house
    and the place where your glory dwells.
⁹ Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,
    nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
¹⁰ in whose hands are evil devices,
    and whose right hands are full of bribes.

¹¹ But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
    redeem me, and be gracious to me.
¹² My foot stands on level ground;
    in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.

Psalm 56:3-4

When I am afraid,
    I put my trust in you.
⁴ In God, whose word I praise,
    in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
    What can flesh do to me?

Psalm 86:4-6

Gladden the soul of your servant,
    for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
⁵ For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
    abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
⁶ Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
    listen to my plea for grace.

Psalm 116:1-2, 12-14

I love the Lord, because he has heard
    my voice and my pleas for mercy.
² Because he inclined his ear to me,
    therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

¹² What shall I render to the Lord
    for all his benefits to me?
¹³ I will lift up the cup of salvation
    and call on the name of the Lord,
¹⁴ I will pay my vows to the Lord
    in the presence of all his people.

Psalm 146

Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
² I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
    I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

³ Put not your trust in princes,
    in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
⁴ When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
    on that very day his plans perish.

⁵ Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord his God,
⁶ who made heaven and earth,
    the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
⁷     who executes justice for the oppressed,
    who gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free;
⁸     the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
    the Lord loves the righteous.
⁹ The Lord watches over the sojourners;
    he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
    but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

¹⁰ The Lord will reign forever,
    your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the Lord!

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016.
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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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.

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Psalm 107:1-3

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
² Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
    whom he has redeemed from trouble
³ and gathered in from the lands,
    from the east and from the west,
    from the north and from the south.

Some simple thoughts about thanksgiving today.

We know not just to be thankful, but to whom we should be thankful. God has revealed himself. He has a name – a holy, sacred name: YaHWeH, rendered LORD (in all caps) in many Bible translations. This is the name given by God to Moses and by which name he is known in the Old Testament times. When the 72 Greek scholars in 250 BC translated the Old Testament Hebrew into Greek, they chose kyrios (Lord) as the translation of God’s sacred name. So in the New Testament, when we confess Jesus is Lord, we are confessing him to be God.

Jesus acknowledges as much when the thankful Samaritan falls at his feet. Jesus says, “Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Jesus is Lord. We know to whom we are to give thanks. We thank God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for his gifts.

We also know under what circumstances we are to give thanks. When we experience God’s special and particular favor we should thank God. When we see a beautiful sunset: thank God. When we receive a special gift: thank God. When we are healed: thank God.

We must also thank God in difficult circumstances. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” says Paul. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) We thank God for his providential care, gracious love, mercy, faithfulness, and gift of salvation through faith in Jesus. Those gifts don’t disappear when circumstances go poorly.

We thank God, also, at every meal, at every remembrance of his daily provision, and for all his gifts big and small. For to fail to do so is evidence of a lack of faith and a most dangerous way to live.

Martin Luther’s explanation to the fourth petition of the Lord’s Prayer

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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’ve been watching The Chosen, an Angels studio production depicting the ministry of Jesus, and especially centering in on Jesus’ chosen (hence the name of the series) disciples. The remarkable thing of the series is how it makes the lives of the disciples seem very real, with all their struggles and daily life challenges and joys. That has to be imagined. There is some creative license allowed to make this a compelling story. All the while when the Jesus character is teaching or performing miracles, the words and actions portrayed are extremely true to Scripture. Sometimes they put words in Jesus’ mouth that are certainly imagined. “Get used to different,” he says when Jesus calls Matthew to follow him. (See the clip below).

Jesus’ ministry was different in almost every possible way. He did not align himself with the religious leaders of his day. He challenged their understanding and interpretation of the Laws of Moses. He claimed to be before Abraham. He hung out with sinners and tax collectors. In fact he called the tax collector Matthew to be one of his chosen 12 disciples. These 12 he would name apostles (sent ones) and send them into the world to preach the good news of peace through faith in him.

Most unusually, Jesus chose those who would follow him as his disciples. They were the chosen ones. Jesus even makes a point of this by telling them, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (John 15:16)

Peter makes the point as he speaks to Cornelius, that there were certain chosen ones who were to be witnesses to his resurrection. Such a choice! Sometimes I wonder how they felt about that. They certainly knew it was a privilege to have seen Jesus after his resurrection. To be shown that Jesus was really alive – repeatedly at that – was an amazing blessing. But the blessing is also a burden. They can’t help but speak of what they had seen and heard. And sometimes it would bring trouble to them.

They were chosen for a purpose – and so are we. In his mercy, love, kindness, and grace he chose us to receive the forgiveness of sins and salvation through faith in Jesus. Sometimes that may seem to be a burden. But in the end we will rejoice in his grace to us. We and all creation will praise him for his glorious grace. For we have been chosen: a far greater blessing than it is a burden.

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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.

Ukraine. Israel. Gaza. Clearly there is no peace there. War tears limbs and families apart. Children lose feet. Parents lose children. Friends lose friends. Fear takes the throne in people’s hearts. Death pitches a tent in every neighborhood. Turmoil reigns. Sadness holds sway.

This is not God’s plan for mankind. This is not the gift of God of which Peter speaks to the people at Cornelius’ house. He preached good news of peace through Jesus Christ. That’s Jesus’ gift to us. 

Why, then is there still war? How is it that having been given peace by Jesus do even Jesus’ people engage in war? I’m thinking about the Christmas Eve 1914 that the German and British soldiers observed a cease fire, sang Christmas Carols across the trenches in WWI, and then the next day went back to fighting. It was called the Christmas Truce, but it was all too short-lived.

But we don’t have to look back 100-plus years to see short-lived truces of all kinds. Members of two political foes can stand on the Capitol steps and sing God Bless America only to give in to partisan political strife a few weeks later. Neighbors can give up their grudges for a peaceful holiday season only to rekindle strife the next week. Brothers and sisters in Christ can behave in church only to engage in cut-throat business competition. And husbands and wives, parents and children, and even kissing cousins can get crosswise with each other.

Peace is a gift from Jesus. But it seems so very difficult to maintain. That’s why Paul urges the Ephesian Christians (and us),

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, ² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ³ eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. -Ephesians 4:1-3

We experienced a wonderful Sunday-after Easter worship service while traveling earlier this year. The pastor made the point: When Jesus said, “Peace be with you!”, it wasn’t a wish. It was a gift. This is God’s gift to us. We have peace with God. It is a given. That being so, we must live at peace with one another. God’s gift of peace calms the heart and makes peace possible between sister and brother in Christ. That is truly good news.

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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.

Instant replay has become a regular feature of televised sports. More recently we have come to expect that controversial calls will undergo video review by the referees. Some of them looking into a hooded display on the side of the field. Others remotely reviewing the plays. The goal is to make certain that what actually happened determines the call. Did he step out of bounds? Was she offsides when she got the ball and scored? It shouldn’t left be up to a fickle or biased umpire. If it’s a three-pointer, it should yield three points.

Peter speaks to the people in Caesarea about the impartiality of God. His message is direct and clear: God shows no partiality. He says, “In every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” Every nation. Anyone. Fear God and do what is right, you are acceptable to God.

This would be a challenging message to the Jews of Peter’s day. The Jewish people were convinced that they had special privilege before God. They were the chosen people. They were precious to God. Theirs were the prophets. Theirs was the law. Theirs was the covenant. But now God was reaching beyond bloodline and ancestry. Not just the Jewish nation, but every nation. Not just certain ones, anyone.

But this would be good news to these here in Cornelius’ household. “Every nation” and “anyone” included them all. And the basis for this was and is the ministry of Jesus. He brings peace. He is Lord of all. He did good to those who were oppressed. “And he commanded [them] 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.“

I wonder, however, if their reaction might be like my own, and maybe yours as well. We know we’ve got a problem. We don’t always fear God and do what is right. We are all too aware of our sins in thought, word, and deed. The idea of being judged totally impartially is maybe not totally welcome. We’d prefer not to be shown that we stepped out of bounds, were offsides, or didn’t make the play. A totally impartial judgment might not be what we want.

Thank God Peter reminds us that, “everyone who believes in [Jesus] receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” The judgment for our sins fell on Jesus. He fulfilled all righteousness for us. All who believe in him are justified by his death and resurrection. That’s grace. We all need grace. Jesus is full of grace and truth. Whoever believes in him will be saved.

Please pray these psalms with me on this Lord’s Day

Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
² Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
³ There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
⁴ Their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
⁵     which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
⁶ Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
⁸ the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
⁹ the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
¹¹ Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.

¹² Who can discern his errors?
    Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
¹³ Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
    let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
    and innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 49:1-9

Hear this, all peoples!
    Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
² both low and high,
    rich and poor together!
³ My mouth shall speak wisdom;
    the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.
⁴ I will incline my ear to a proverb;
    I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.

⁵ Why should I fear in times of trouble,
    when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me,
⁶ those who trust in their wealth
    and boast of the abundance of their riches?
⁷ Truly no man can ransom another,
    or give to God the price of his life,
⁸ for the ransom of their life is costly
    and can never suffice,
⁹ that he should live on forever
    and never see the pit.

Psalm 79:8-11

Do not remember against us our former iniquities;
    let your compassion come speedily to meet us,
    for we are brought very low.
⁹ Help us, O God of our salvation,
    for the glory of your name;
deliver us, and atone for our sins,
    for your name’s sake!
¹⁰ Why should the nations say,
    “Where is their God?”
Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants
    be known among the nations before our eyes!

¹¹ Let the groans of the prisoners come before you;
    according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die!

Psalm 109:26-27

Help me, O Lord my God!
    Save me according to your steadfast love!
²⁷ Let them know that this is your hand;
    you, O Lord, have done it!

Psalm 139

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
² You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
³ You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
⁴ Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
⁵ You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it.

⁷ Where shall I go from your Spirit?
    Or where shall I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
    If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
⁹ If I take the wings of the morning
    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand shall lead me,
    and your right hand shall hold me.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
    and the light about me be night,”
¹² even the darkness is not dark to you;
    the night is bright as the day,
    for darkness is as light with you.

¹³ For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.

¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸ If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
    I awake, and I am still with you.

¹⁹ Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
    O men of blood, depart from me!
²⁰ They speak against you with malicious intent;
    your enemies take your name in vain.
²¹ Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?
    And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
²² I hate them with complete hatred;
    I count them my enemies.

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart!
    Try me and know my thoughts!
²⁴ And see if there be any grievous way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting!

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016.
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.