SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2022 Powerful Daily Devotional

SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2022

TEXT: Acts 11:1-18

1. Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God.

2. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him,

3. saying, “Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?”

4. Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying,

5. “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me.

6. As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air.

7. I also heard a voice saying to me, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.‘

8. But I replied, “By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

9. But a second time the voice answered from heaven, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’

10. This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven.

11. At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were.

12. The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house.

13. He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, “Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter;

14. he will give a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.’

15. And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning.

16. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

17. If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?”

18. When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, “Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.”

(New Revised Standard Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: ACCEPT ONE ANOTHER IN CHRIST

The news reached the apostles and other believers in Judea that the Gentiles had received the Word of God. Instead of rejoicing at this development, they criticized Peter for entering and eating in the home of Cornelius – a Gentile.

After Peter explained how the Lord convinced him to accept Cornelius, the Jews listening to him were not only convinced but started praising God. The Holy Spirit also fell on them as Peter was speaking, just as the Jews had experienced.

We must accept one another and freely fellowship with fellow brethren, whether Jews or Gentiles.

QUESTION: Are you ready to accept and fellowship with brethren who are not from the same tribe, lineage, etc., with you?

PRAYER: No matter the likes, dislikes, profession, social status, etc., of fellow brethren, Father, please help me to accept them, in Jesus name, Amen.