Radical Grace: Breaking Barriers in the Gospel
Summary
The story of the early church in Acts is a story of God’s grace breaking through every human barrier. As the message of Jesus’ resurrection spread, it became clear that faith in Christ was not just for those who already knew the Old Testament, the ceremonial laws, or the traditions of Israel. The conversion stories of Saul and the Ethiopian eunuch showed how God’s Spirit works through His Word and through baptism to bring people to faith, regardless of their background. But the story of Cornelius, a Gentile Roman soldier, marks a turning point: God’s grace is for all, even those who were once considered outsiders.
When Peter is criticized for eating with Gentiles, he recounts the vision God gave him—declaring all things clean—and the unmistakable work of the Holy Spirit in Cornelius’ household. Peter’s question is simple but profound: “If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus, how could I possibly hinder God?” The early church is stunned into silence, then erupts in praise, recognizing that God’s mercy is bigger than their traditions or expectations.
Yet, the struggle to keep the gospel free from human requirements continues. Some insist that Gentiles must be circumcised and keep the law to be saved. But Peter and James, the brother of Jesus, stand firm: salvation is by grace alone, through faith in Christ alone. The law, which none could keep perfectly, was never meant to save, but to point us to our need for Jesus. The only “requirement” is faith—a gift from God Himself.
This radical grace is not just a doctrine, but a call to unity and humility. The church is called to lay aside preferences and cultural barriers for the sake of the gospel. The forgiveness and acceptance we have in Christ is to be extended to all, regardless of background, culture, or past. The power of the gospel is impartial and unstoppable, still at work today through ordinary people, breaking down walls and bringing new life wherever it is proclaimed.
Key Takeaways
- God’s grace is radically inclusive, breaking down every barrier we might erect. The story of Cornelius shows that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love, and that the gospel is for all people, not just those who fit our expectations or traditions. This challenges us to examine our own hearts for any boundaries we might set that Christ has already torn down. [03:07]
- The Holy Spirit works through the Word and through people, not through human qualifications or rituals. Whether it was Saul, the Ethiopian eunuch, or Cornelius, each came to faith by hearing the Word and receiving the Spirit, not by their own merit or religious performance. This reminds us that our role is to faithfully share the message and trust God to do the transforming work. [10:24]
- The temptation to add requirements to the gospel is persistent and subtle. The early church wrestled with whether Gentiles needed to be circumcised or keep the law, but Peter and James insisted that salvation is by grace alone. We too must guard against making our preferences, traditions, or cultural norms prerequisites for belonging to Christ’s family. [19:08]
- The law reveals our need for a Savior, but it cannot save us. Peter’s words remind us that neither we nor our ancestors could bear the yoke of the law; only Christ could fulfill it perfectly. Our hope and confidence rest not in our ability to keep God’s commands, but in Christ’s finished work and the gift of faith He gives. [20:56]
- The gospel calls us to unity, humility, and mission. As the early church learned to welcome those who were different, they modeled a community shaped by forgiveness and grace. We are called to keep the main thing the main thing—Jesus for all people—and to extend the same mercy and acceptance we have received, trusting that God still works through ordinary people to bring extraordinary hope. [24:18]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Review: Stories of Faith in Acts
[03:07] - The Gentile Question: Who Can Be Saved?
[05:04] - The Controversy: Peter Eats with Gentiles
[06:19] - Peter’s Vision: What God Has Made Clean
[08:32] - Peter’s Threefold Denial and Restoration
[10:24] - Peter Sent to Cornelius
[13:19] - The Holy Spirit Falls on Gentiles
[14:17] - Jesus’ Commission: To the Ends of the Earth
[15:28] - The Challenge of Crossing Barriers
[17:01] - Salvation by Faith Alone
[17:52] - The Messiness of Life Together
[19:08] - The Debate: Must Gentiles Be Circumcised?
[20:56] - Peter’s Defense: Saved by Grace
[22:07] - James’ Wisdom: Unity in Diversity
[24:18] - The Power and Impartiality of the Gospel
[27:12] - Christ Alone: The Ongoing Mission
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
- Acts 10:34-48 (Peter and Cornelius: God shows no partiality, the Holy Spirit falls on Gentiles, and they are baptized)
- Acts 11:1-18 (Peter explains his actions to the church in Jerusalem, and the church praises God for including Gentiles)
- Acts 15:1-11 (The Jerusalem Council: The debate over circumcision and salvation by grace through faith)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Acts 10:34-35, what does Peter say he has learned about God’s character and who can receive the gospel?
2. When Peter explains his actions to the church in Acts 11:15-17, what evidence does he give that God was at work among the Gentiles?
3. According to Acts 15:7-11, what is Peter’s main argument against requiring Gentile believers to follow the law of Moses?
4. In the sermon, what was the reaction of the early church when they realized Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit? [13:19]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why was it so shocking for the early church that Gentiles could receive the Holy Spirit and be baptized without first becoming Jewish? What does this reveal about their expectations and traditions? [03:07]
2. How does Peter’s vision (Acts 10) and his experience with Cornelius challenge the boundaries the early church had set up? What does this say about God’s grace? [06:19]
3. Why do you think some believers wanted to add requirements like circumcision or keeping the law for Gentile converts? What fears or concerns might have motivated them? [19:08]
4. According to the sermon, what is the only “requirement” for belonging to God’s family, and why is this so radical? [20:56]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says God’s grace is “radically inclusive, breaking down every barrier we might erect.” Are there any boundaries or expectations—spoken or unspoken—that you or our church might be putting up that could keep others from feeling welcome? What would it look like to tear those down? [03:07]
2. Peter was criticized for eating with Gentiles, but he obeyed God’s leading anyway. Have you ever felt pressure to stick with tradition or group expectations, even when you sensed God calling you to something new? How did you respond, or how might you respond differently now? [05:04]
3. The early church struggled with the temptation to add requirements to the gospel. Are there ways you have seen churches today make it harder for people to belong to Christ’s family? What are some “extra” requirements we might add, even unintentionally? [19:08]
4. The law reveals our need for a Savior, but it cannot save us. Are there areas in your life where you are still trying to “earn” God’s acceptance or approval? What would it look like to rest in Christ’s finished work instead? [20:56]
5. The gospel calls us to unity, humility, and mission. Is there someone in your life or community who feels like an “outsider” to faith or church? What is one practical step you could take this week to extend welcome and grace to them? [24:18]
6. The Holy Spirit works through ordinary people and simple acts of obedience. Where do you sense God might be inviting you to step out in faith, even if it feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar? [10:24]
7. The early church was “stunned into silence, then erupted in praise” when they saw God’s mercy at work. When was the last time you were surprised by God’s grace—either in your life or someone else’s? How did you respond? [13:19]
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Devotional
Day 1: The Gospel Is for Everyone—No Barriers in Christ
God’s power and grace break down every human barrier, welcoming all people—regardless of background, culture, or past—into the family of faith through Jesus. The early church was shocked to see Gentiles, who did not know the Jewish laws or customs, receive the Word of God and believe in Jesus. This was not just a new chapter in church history, but a radical demonstration that God’s love and salvation are not limited by ethnicity, tradition, or human expectations. The same Spirit that worked in the hearts of Jewish believers was now at work in Gentiles, showing that in Christ, there is no distinction—He is for all. As you encounter people different from yourself, remember that the gospel is for them, too, and that God’s grace knows no boundaries. [03:07]
Acts 11:1-3 (ESV)
Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
Reflection: Who in your life do you find it hardest to see as someone God wants to welcome into His family? How can you take a step today to break down a barrier and extend Christ’s love to them?
Day 2: God’s Grace, Not Our Works, Saves Us
Salvation is a gift received by faith in Jesus alone, not by our ability to keep laws or traditions, and not by anything we can do to earn it. The early church wrestled with the temptation to add requirements to the gospel, insisting that Gentiles must be circumcised or follow certain customs to be saved. But Peter and the apostles recognized that neither they nor their ancestors could bear the weight of the law, and that salvation comes only through the grace of the Lord Jesus. This truth remains for us: our hope is not in our performance, but in Christ’s finished work. Rest today in the assurance that you are saved by grace, and let that freedom shape how you live and love others. [20:56]
Acts 15:7-11 (ESV)
And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to rely on your own efforts or “goodness” to earn God’s favor? What would it look like to surrender that area to God’s grace today?
Day 3: The Power of the Holy Spirit Works Through Ordinary People
God uses everyday people, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to share His message and bring others to faith—right where they are. In the stories of Acts, God works through people like Peter, Philip, and Ananias, sending them to those who need to hear the good news. It is not about their qualifications or status, but about God’s Spirit working through their willingness to speak and act. The same is true for you: God has perfectly positioned you in your relationships, workplace, and community to be a witness to His love. Trust that the Holy Spirit will give you the words and courage you need to share the hope of Jesus, even in unexpected places. [10:24]
Acts 11:13-15 (ESV)
And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.
Reflection: Who is one person in your daily life that you sense God might be prompting you to reach out to with encouragement or the message of Jesus? What is one step you can take today to do so?
Day 4: Forgiveness and Unity in the Messiness of Community
Life together in the church can be messy, but we are called to model forgiveness, mercy, and unity, laying aside our preferences for the sake of the gospel. The early church faced conflicts over customs and traditions, but leaders like James urged believers not to make it difficult for others to turn to God. Instead, they encouraged the church to focus on what unites them—faith in Christ—and to extend grace to one another. In your own relationships and church community, remember that unity is not about uniformity, but about keeping Jesus at the center and loving each other through differences and struggles. [22:07]
Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV)
With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Reflection: Is there a conflict or difference in your church or relationships that you need to approach with humility and forgiveness? What is one practical way you can pursue unity today?
Day 5: The Gospel’s Power and Impartiality—Christ Alone Saves
The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, revealing God’s righteousness and offering forgiveness to all—Jew and Gentile alike—through faith in Christ alone. No one deserves this gift, and no one is beyond its reach. Both Saul and Cornelius, though vastly different in background and character, were welcomed into God’s family on equal terms. This impartiality of the gospel calls us to marvel at God’s grace and to boldly share it with others, knowing that it is Christ alone who saves, not our heritage, achievements, or failures. Let this truth fill you with gratitude and confidence as you live out your faith. [24:18]
Romans 1:16-17 (ESV)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Reflection: How does knowing that the gospel is for everyone—including you—change the way you see yourself and others? Who can you share this good news with this week?
Quotes
Everyone who believes in him, in Jesus, receives forgiveness of sins. Everyone. There is no Jewish way or Gentile different way. There is one way, and it's Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life. And everyone who believes in him receives the forgiveness of sins. [00:16:50] (27 seconds)
Not because of anything that they could do. Not because of anything that they have done. Not because of a promise that they'd made. No, they receive the forgiveness of sins as a gift by faith in Christ alone. And even that faith is a gift. [00:17:17] (17 seconds)
If you're here this day and you're feeling the burden of the law on your heart and on your mind and you're thinking to yourself i don't know i can't do it you're right you can't you can't you can't but christ can christ has and he has carried you your burden and your sins to his cross, paid for them completely and in full. And by grace through faith, he invites you to live in and through him. [00:26:54] (30 seconds)
Now then, why are you testing God? By putting a yoke on the disciples' necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear. The law. You want these Gentiles who are coming to be believers in Jesus to live under the law and to do it so perfectly. And let's take a good look at our hearts and our own lives and realize you haven't kept the law either. And the only thing the law has done, it has not saved you. It has only condemned you and shown you your sin, and so you can't bear it. Why should they bear it? [00:20:08] (35 seconds)
Both received forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Spirit. And both were baptized and welcomed into the Christian family on equal terms. This fact is a signal testimony to the power and impartiality of the gospel of Christ, which is still the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes, first for the Jew and then for the Gentile. [00:24:22] (22 seconds)
By that power, just like it brought about the conversion of people like Saul and Cornelius and the Ethiopian eunuch and these whole households being saved, so too does that word still go out today right into this community, into the places you and I are perfectly positioned to share that hope of Christ Jesus alone, no strings attached, nothing added, just Jesus and only Jesus. Working through everyday ordinary people like you and like me, right where we're at, to share the hope that we have. [00:27:28] (37 seconds)
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