Accepting the Gentiles into the Church

 Acts 11:1-18

Rehash of last week - 

Acts 11:1-3 -  received the Word = received Christ
(A)  "circumcised believers" ?  Weren't all believers circumcised at this point? - up to this point - yes! Including the Samaritans and the Egyptian Eunuch.
Probably reference to "Judaizers" - Acts 15:1-2, also Galatians - Thought new believers had to follow Mosaic Law

(B)  The criticism" ? not that "you took gospel to the Gentiles",  rather = "you entered and ate with them!" - 

On one hand, no "Law" against sharing gospel with the Gentiles
However, "tradition of the elders" forbade (unnecessary) communion with them.
This = not a salvation or baptism issue, but fellowship issue.

So... Acts 11:4-18 - what God has made clean is clean.
NOW the issue of receiving Gentiles into the church = covered
BUT ... issue of "should they now keep Mosaic Law?" is not nearly covered!!

Since some of this still surfaces today... - "not under the law"/what about Sabbath keeping?/ marriage and divorce? foods?

Just a quick note on the 3 divisions of the LAW:

   the Civil Law of Israel - are not under this
   the Ceremonial Law - not under this.  designed to lead people to Christ.  Jesus fulfilled.
   the Moral Law - hasn't changed

NOW:  some observations, lessons, applications for us today:

#1.  The early church was (obviously) NOT a Baptist church!!??  IF it were..... Acts 11:18 ... "OK!  Gentiles accepted BUT ... Issue = you entered and at!!  And a long, volitile Business meeting would follow!!

Point:  Don't Major on the Minors  = peripheral issues but they are not essential issues.  Peripheral issues are important!  BUT ... they are not essential!!

#2.  Questioning God is not necessarily doubting (or disobeying) God.
Acts 11:8 - Peter = confused, perplexed/ seeking clarity.
Compare:  Ananias (Acts 9:13-14)   Job,  Jeremiah "buy the field"

#3.  You don't have to understand God to obey God
   examples:  Peter - here.  Ananias & Saul   Jeremiah & field
You need to understand WHAT He wants, not WHY!!   - Peter didn't understand, but was obedient.
FAITH = acting on what you Know ... Even when you're confused, puzzled, afraid or grieved by it!  (Abraham told to sacrifice Isaac)

#4.  Acts 11:16 "then I remembered" = Peter heard this 3 years earlier ... and it made NO sense then... But NOW!!??
Point = All Biblical Knowledge is useful at some time and place.

And You'll never outgrow the need or capacity for learning more about God.  Never get that mature!!
example:  apostle John in his 90's when he received "Revelation" 

#5. How to maintain Purity without maintaining distance?   1 Cor. 5:9-11  1 Pet. 2:9
We are supposed to be different.

#6.  Acts 11:18 - still stands today - Acts 11:18 - shortened ... "God has granted repentance unto life"
(ie:  Eternal life - through His Son)

OR might say "He has granted the opportunity/option of...
But.... "Grace offered is not necessarily grace received.  MUST accept Jesus Christ.

#7.  Acts 11:13-14 = "angel said 'send for Peter and hes message!'
Question:  Why didn't the Angel share the message?  gospel??
On one hand, don't know!  However, I do know
God has called and charged us (Christians) to share this message.  Matt. 28:18-20
Angels don't seem to be allowed to do this.

Therefore, Octavia Baptist Church mission statement = CP2G - (connect people to God)  go MAD (make a difference)  go MAED - (make an eternal difference)

Closing:  Rom. 1:14-17