BJ McConnell
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Sept 28, 2019 2:32:20 GMT -5
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Favorite Verse: 2 Cor 5:17
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Post by BJ McConnell on Jan 17, 2020 3:31:53 GMT -5
The Book of Acts Chapters 10-11 Read It Online Peter Goes To Caesarea, Paul and the Jerusalem Council
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BJ McConnell
Forum Owner
Sept 28, 2019 2:32:20 GMT -5
Posts: 246 Amens: 13
Favorite Verse: 2 Cor 5:17
Bible Study Member?: Yes
Born Again Christian?: Yes
User Offline
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Post by BJ McConnell on Feb 22, 2020 11:06:35 GMT -5
This week's reading covers a very important section of scripture. Chapter 10 tells of how Peter ended up going to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile who sent for Peter to hear him speak of Jesus. What we see in the beginning of the chapter is that God has to prepare the heart of Peter so that he would be willing to go to the house of these Gentiles. But why? Up until this point, the Apostles have still not gone beyond Jerusalem with the gospel. They are still of the mindset that the message of salvation is for Jews only. But here we see God showing Peter a vision that ultimately is meant to teach him not to ignore the Gentiles. So Peter goes to the house of Cornelius and speaks of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sins. And as soon as he finished speaking the Holy Spirit falls down upon everyone there. When this happens, Peter finally realizes that salvation is available to all who will believe, not just to the Jews.
When Peter returns to Jerusalem in chapter 11, he is immediately confronted and accused by the other Jewish believers for going into the home of a Gentile and for eating with them. In response, Peter tells them of his vision and then explains what happened when he told the Gentiles of the gospel, explaining that if God judged them worthy of salvation he was not going to stand in opposition. Hearing this, the other Jewish believers then accept that salvation has been made available to the Gentiles, however, just a few verses later we see that the Jewish disciples continue to preach only to the Jews (Acts 11:19).
In the final verses of chapter 11 tells of how Barnabas was sent to seek Saul (Paul) and it is revealed that the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. So, as I mentioned in a previous study, while many people teach that Christianity began at Pentecost, the truth from the scriptures is that for Gentiles, Christianity really began at Antioch under the teachings of Paul, not at Pentecost.
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