ALL WELCOME
Opening Prayer
As I open your Word today, Father, prepare me to see things from your perspective, to apply what you teach me in new and different ways.
Read ACTS 10:9–23a
Peter’s Vision
9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three[a] men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
Peter at Cornelius’s House
The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along.
Footnotes
- Acts 10:19 One early manuscript two; other manuscripts do not have the number.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What things do you find hard to do—even though you know that you should do them?If you are anything like me there will be times when you know something but find it hard to put it into practice. Peter was in a similar position. The vision had started him thinking, but now he had to work it out. There was a lot at stake. He was being called to do something that went against everything he believed. He knew he would face criticism from others. Nevertheless, he was obedient to God’s call without knowing exactly where it would lead. That required a lot of faith. Sometimes we will have to step out not knowing where it will end, but trusting God to work out his purposes.
Peter was discovering that the old divisions had gone. A careful reading of the Old Testament would have told him that God’s promise was to bless all nations through Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 12:1–3), that the stranger was to be welcomed and accepted (Leviticus 19:34; Numbers 9:14). God’s love extends to the whole world (John 3:16). We humans have a natural tendency to erect barriers—to exclude those who are not like us. Any such barriers, based on things like age, social standing, or ethnic origin, have no place in the life or mission of the church.
Apply
Where do we put up walls that exclude some people? What might make people feel uncomfortable or unwelcome in your church?
Closing prayer
Father, please move in my community of faith and show us how to better extend welcome to everyone.
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