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Acts 10.1–33: God begins to break down barriers (Day 10)

Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.

Pray

Pray

Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.

Reflect

Daily reflection: Acts 10

At the very beginning of the Church, the new believers faced a huge question ­– should the Jesus movement be for Jews only, or were Gentiles to be included as well? While there were plenty of Gentiles around in Palestine, observant Jews kept themselves separate and did not visit or eat with them. At the same time, many Gentiles were attracted to the religion of the Jews, with its strict morality and spiritual depth.

Peter's vision of a sheet let down from heaven containing clean and unclean animals was sign to him that in God's kingdom those old barriers were breaking down. Cornelius, the 'God-fearing' Roman centurion, could be a brother in Christ, and Gentiles could receive the Holy Spirit.

Christians are still prone to worry about associating with the 'wrong' people or going to the 'wrong' places. There can be a sense that to be really holy, we have to avoid getting our hands dirty by avoiding people who don't share our faith or our opinions. This is the opposite of what Jesus did, or what Peter was taught. If we mingle with people who aren't like us, we should be less concerned about them infecting us with sin, and more concerned about infecting them with grace.

Pray

Pray

God, help me to see every human being as made in your image and loved by you.


This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor

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