Day 44 - Acts 11-12

The truth of the Gospel ends racism! That's the message of the first part of Acts 11. You can just sense the racist tendencies of the Jews to whom Peter is reporting. But by the end of the report from Peter concerning the conversion of Cornelius, the Gentile centurion, their attitude had changed completely. I love how Peter concludes his explanation of what happened, "Who was I that I could stand in God's way?” (vs17). Luke then records how the Gospel was being advanced among Jews and Gentiles alike.

This chapter also records the beginning of the connection between Paul and Barnabas. Barnabas was the instigator at first. He went and found Paul (vs25-26). Their first ministry together was in Antioch, and it was here that the followers of Jesus Christ began to be called "Christians." This is a wonderful term for it literally means, "little Christs." In other words, these people were acting like Jesus--they were exhibiting Christlikeness. Unfortunately, this term has lost a lot of its significance in our present day. It now refers to someone who claims to believe in Jesus rather than someone who actually is Christlike. I trust that if you call yourself a "Christian" that you will live up to its true meaning.

The persecution of Christians in the first century continued as Herod killed James and imprisoned Peter, intending to have him killed as well. The story of Peter's release is miraculous, but if you remember, it's not the first time that Peter has been able to "escape" from prison (see 5:17-21). With this in mind, you'd think that the early church would have been praying not only "earnestly" (vs5), but also expectantly. However, when Peter is freed from the prison by the angel (in answer to the earnest prayer of the church), the ones who have been praying don't believe that their prayers have been answered (vs15)! How often do we merely go through the motions of praying without the expectancy and faith that God will work?!

The result of the release of Peter angered Herod (and cost the sentries their lives vs19). Herod's anger continued, but this time against the people of Tyre and Sidon. In their attempt to appease Herod, they showered him with accolades (vs22). The result was that the pride of Herod increased, so God brought him down to the grave (and in a quite gruesome way at that! - vs23). So, the man who had been trying to persecute Christians and hinder the spread of the Gospel has now been executed by God Almighty, and "the word of God increased and multiplied" (vs24). How poignant is the inclusion of that verse at this point in the chapter! No matter what man may do, God and His truth continues to increase and multiply! Soli Deo Gloria!