Inclusive Grace: The Mystery of Gentile Salvation
Summary
In Acts chapter 10, we encounter a pivotal moment in redemptive history, marking a significant transition from the old covenant to a new epoch of God's redemptive activity. This chapter is crucial because it reveals the mystery that had been hidden for ages: the inclusion of Gentiles into the body of Christ, the church. Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, speaks of this mystery as "Christ in you, the hope of glory," emphasizing that Gentiles, once considered unclean and outside the covenant, are now part of God's people through Christ.
The narrative in Acts 10 centers around Cornelius, a Roman centurion and a God-fearer, who receives a vision from an angel instructing him to send for Peter. Meanwhile, Peter, staying in Joppa with Simon the tanner, has a vision of a sheet descending from heaven filled with all kinds of animals. God commands Peter to "rise, kill, and eat," challenging the Jewish dietary laws that Peter had adhered to all his life. Peter's initial refusal, "No, Lord," highlights the tension between the old covenant's restrictions and the new covenant's inclusivity.
God's response to Peter, "What God has cleansed, you must not call common," signifies the abrogation of the dietary laws and symbolizes the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles. This moment is not merely about food but about people. It signifies that those who were once considered unclean are now made clean through Christ. The chapter underscores the profound truth that in Christ, there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile; all are one in Him.
This revelation is foundational for the church's mission, as it expands the scope of the gospel to include all nations, fulfilling the Great Commission. It reminds us that our identity in Christ transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries, and through Him, we are declared clean and given access to God's presence.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Mystery Revealed: The mystery of the inclusion of Gentiles into the church, once hidden, is now revealed. This mystery, "Christ in you, the hope of glory," signifies that Gentiles, previously considered outsiders, are now part of God's redemptive plan. This revelation challenges us to embrace the inclusivity of the gospel and recognize the unity we have in Christ. [02:17]
2. Breaking Down Barriers: The vision given to Peter symbolizes the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles. God's command to Peter to eat what was once considered unclean illustrates the new covenant's inclusivity. This teaches us that in Christ, cultural and ethnic divisions are abolished, and we are called to embrace all believers as part of God's family. [17:29]
3. God's Sovereign Plan: The transition from the old covenant to the new highlights God's sovereign plan in redemptive history. The dietary laws, once essential for maintaining Jewish identity, are set aside to fulfill God's purpose of creating a unified church. This reminds us that God's plans are perfect and His purposes are always for our good and His glory. [21:52]
4. Our Identity in Christ: The declaration that what God has cleansed should not be called common speaks to our identity in Christ. Despite our past or our perceived unworthiness, in Christ, we are declared clean and righteous. This truth encourages us to live confidently in our identity as children of God, free from condemnation. [24:53]
5. The Universal Call of the Gospel: The inclusion of Gentiles into the church underscores the universal call of the gospel. It challenges us to share the message of Christ with all people, regardless of their background, and to be agents of reconciliation in a divided world. This is a call to live out the Great Commission, bringing the hope of Christ to the ends of the earth. [22:38]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:33] - Importance of Acts 10
- [01:24] - Paul's Revelation to the Colossians
- [02:17] - The Mystery of the Gentiles
- [03:09] - Understanding Biblical Mystery
- [04:01] - Gentiles and the Covenant
- [05:47] - Peter's Stay in Joppa
- [06:29] - Cornelius' Background
- [07:14] - Cornelius' Devotion
- [08:49] - The God Fearers
- [10:15] - Cornelius' Vision
- [11:43] - God's Recognition of Cornelius
- [13:23] - Peter's Vision
- [14:48] - The Command to Peter
- [17:29] - Repeal of Dietary Laws
- [21:52] - God's Purpose for Israel
- [22:38] - Inclusion of All Nations
- [24:53] - Our Cleansing in Christ
- [25:52] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Acts 10:1-48
- Colossians 1:24-27
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the significance of Cornelius' vision, and how did it set the stage for Peter's vision? [10:15]
2. How did Peter initially respond to the vision of the sheet with animals, and what does this reveal about his understanding of Jewish dietary laws? [15:44]
3. What was God's response to Peter's refusal to eat the animals, and what did it symbolize in terms of the new covenant? [17:29]
4. How does the narrative in Acts 10 illustrate the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles? [22:38]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the inclusion of Gentiles into the church as described in Acts 10 challenge traditional Jewish beliefs and practices? [04:59]
2. In what ways does the vision given to Peter symbolize the broader message of the gospel's inclusivity? [23:44]
3. How does the concept of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" redefine the identity of Gentile believers according to Colossians 1:27?
4. What does the transition from the old covenant to the new covenant reveal about God's sovereign plan in redemptive history? [21:52]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like an outsider. How does the message of Acts 10 encourage you to see yourself as part of God's family? [24:53]
2. Are there cultural or personal barriers in your life that prevent you from fully embracing the inclusivity of the gospel? How can you work to overcome these barriers?
3. How can you actively participate in breaking down cultural and ethnic divisions within your community or church? [22:38]
4. In what ways can you live out the truth that your identity in Christ transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries? [24:53]
5. Identify someone in your life who might feel excluded or marginalized. What steps can you take to share the message of Christ's inclusivity with them this week?
6. How can you ensure that your actions and attitudes reflect the universal call of the gospel to all people, regardless of their background? [22:38]
7. Consider the idea of being declared clean and righteous in Christ. How does this truth impact your daily life and interactions with others? [24:53]
Devotional
Day 1: The Unveiling of God's Inclusive Plan
The mystery of the inclusion of Gentiles into the church, once hidden, is now revealed. This mystery, "Christ in you, the hope of glory," signifies that Gentiles, previously considered outsiders, are now part of God's redemptive plan. This revelation challenges us to embrace the inclusivity of the gospel and recognize the unity we have in Christ. The narrative in Acts 10 highlights this pivotal moment in redemptive history, where the boundaries that once separated Jews and Gentiles are dissolved through Christ. This profound truth calls us to reflect on the unity and diversity within the body of Christ, urging us to celebrate the richness that comes from being one in Him. [02:17]
Colossians 1:26-27 (ESV): "The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
Reflection: Who in your life might you have unintentionally excluded from the message of the gospel? How can you reach out to them this week with the love and inclusivity of Christ?
Day 2: Breaking Down Dividing Walls
The vision given to Peter symbolizes the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles. God's command to Peter to eat what was once considered unclean illustrates the new covenant's inclusivity. This teaches us that in Christ, cultural and ethnic divisions are abolished, and we are called to embrace all believers as part of God's family. The vision challenges us to examine our own prejudices and biases, encouraging us to see others through the lens of Christ's love and acceptance. It is a call to actively participate in the ministry of reconciliation, breaking down walls that divide us. [17:29]
Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV): "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."
Reflection: What cultural or personal barriers do you need to break down in your own life to better reflect the unity of the body of Christ?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Sovereign Plan
The transition from the old covenant to the new highlights God's sovereign plan in redemptive history. The dietary laws, once essential for maintaining Jewish identity, are set aside to fulfill God's purpose of creating a unified church. This reminds us that God's plans are perfect and His purposes are always for our good and His glory. As we reflect on this transition, we are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty, even when His plans challenge our understanding or comfort zones. It is a call to surrender our own agendas and align ourselves with His divine purpose. [21:52]
Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust God's sovereign plan? How can you begin to surrender these areas to Him today?
Day 4: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ
The declaration that what God has cleansed should not be called common speaks to our identity in Christ. Despite our past or our perceived unworthiness, in Christ, we are declared clean and righteous. This truth encourages us to live confidently in our identity as children of God, free from condemnation. It is a reminder that our worth is not determined by our past or by the world's standards, but by the transformative work of Christ in us. Embracing this identity empowers us to live boldly and purposefully for His glory. [24:53]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: How does your understanding of your identity in Christ influence the way you live your daily life? What changes can you make to align more closely with this identity?
Day 5: Responding to the Universal Call of the Gospel
The inclusion of Gentiles into the church underscores the universal call of the gospel. It challenges us to share the message of Christ with all people, regardless of their background, and to be agents of reconciliation in a divided world. This is a call to live out the Great Commission, bringing the hope of Christ to the ends of the earth. As we reflect on this call, we are reminded of the urgency and importance of sharing the gospel, not just in words, but through our actions and relationships. [22:38]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: Who in your community or sphere of influence needs to hear the message of the gospel? How can you intentionally reach out to them this week with the love and hope of Christ?
Quotes
I believe that this chapter, chapter 10, is one of the most important chapters of the entire book of Acts, if not the most important chapter. And I would also add to that, that this chapter in my judgment is one of the most important chapters that we find anywhere in the New Testament because it brings to our attention an extremely important moment in redemptive history, a time of transition from the old way of doing things to a whole new epoch of redemptive activity by God. [00:00:08]
Paul says this, “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. [00:01:05]
To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” What Paul is saying to this congregation that is made up of Gentiles is this. He’s rehearsing his own credentials. He says, -- I am afflicted at every side and yet I’m rejoicing in my sufferings because you are benefiting from them. [00:01:49]
I’m filling up that which is left unfinished in the sufferings of Christ Himself, in the apostolic ministry that He’s called me to perform among the Gentiles. And what I have been called to do now is to reveal to you a mystery that has been hidden for ages and ages and generations of generations. I’m going to tell you something, explain something to you, open up something to you that has been obscured for centuries. [00:02:41]
I’m going to explain the mystery, and the Greek word there is mysterion. We get the word “mystery” for mystery novels and suspense dramas and all of that from this, but in the New Testament sense what a mystery is, is something that God had held back in times past of His disclosure of His purposes, which He at a certain point in history, then declares openly. It once was hidden but now is made manifest. [00:03:09]
And what is that mystery? He said it’s the mystery of the church, of the Gentiles in the church, that you, Gentiles, who had been strangers to the covenant of the things of God, you who were foreigners, you who were pilgrims, who were kept outside of the inner sanctuary of Israel, you who formerly were unclean and defiled and had no access into the presence of God, now I’m declaring to you that through the ministry of Christ, that you are a part of His body the church, that it is Christ in You, the hope of Gentiles. [00:03:41]
That’s the mystery. In previous generations, it was assumed before the Gentile, who was unclean, who was defiled, impure, not consecrated, outside the scope of the covenant God had made with Abraham and Moses and so on, -- that that person was without hope. But now with the presence of Christ breaking down the barriers that had separated Jew and Gentile, that hope is extended to the Gentiles. [00:04:41]
Now, I am looking at least one person right now who is Jewish by origin and ethnic background, who is now a Christian, a member of this body, but I suspect that almost everybody else in this room is of Gentile background. I mean, the only reason we’re here this morning is because of what takes place in Cornelius’ household at Caesarea that we’ve read about here in Acts, chapter 10. [00:05:00]
And so the book follows that progress of the church opening in Jerusalem, expanding then into Judea, out to Samaria, and then out to the uttermost parts of the earth with Paul’s missionary journeys. And also the book of Acts has to do with four distinct groups of people: the Jews, the Samaritans, the Gentiles, and the God fearers. [00:08:18]
The God fearers were those Gentiles, Greek speaking Gentiles usually, who converted to Judaism in every respect except one, they did not subject themselves to circumcision, for obvious reasons. It’s one thing to be circumcised as an infant. It’s another thing as a grown man. And the men said, “Hey, you know, we’ll be happy to just be out in the court of the Gentiles, and we’ll take our vows and we’ll practice Judaism, but no thanks on the circumcision.” [00:09:06]
So that’s where they were, and they were called the God fearers because even though they were Gentiles, they didn’t believe in the gods and goddesses of Rome or the pantheon of deities of Greece or any of the Oriental religions of the day, but rather they believed in the Most High God and were faithful followers of Yahweh the God of Israel. [00:09:39]
Now, that’s where Cornelius was in his faith and that was his status as he’s defined here by Luke as a God fearer, one who feared God, as well as all of his household, who gave alms generously to the people and prayed to God always. Now what happens, is about three o’clock in the afternoon, suddenly Cornelius has a vision of an angel who appears to him and speaks to him, saying, Cornelius. [00:10:08]
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