Acts 1:8

… and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to

the ends of the earth.”

In Acts 9:31 there is a transition; a shift of focus

from the Jewish church, and the calling of Paul to the

expansion of the church to areas outside of Jerusalem

and Judea, that includes the Gentiles.

gRace Relations(Acts 10)

Acts 10:1-8Cornelius was one of the “God fearers”• People who believed and worshiped the

one true God, but were not of the Hebrew line, and did not hold to Jewish rituals, laws, and ceremonies

• There are many “God fearers” in our culture today, who are not practicing “Christians” and have not experienced the gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Acts 10:9-16

Peter’s vision of the sheet• An allegory, not meant to be taken literally

(we’ll talk more about this next Sunday)

• Rather than religious dogma, God was teaching Peter about legalism vs grace

• The vision came THREE TIMES–Peter had to be reminded of other 3s in his

life• God was once again stretching Peter, and the

church out of their comfort zone; out of the box of religion

Acts 10:17-23

1. While Peter was processing the vision, three men arrived at Simon’s gate

2. God’s timing is always perfect

3. God confirmed by the Spirit that Peter was to receive the men “without misgivings”

4. Peter was instructed by God to GO! He was SENT!

5. He entered their house – placing himself in their cultural domain and breaking down walls of separation

Acts 10:34-43

Peter proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ

• Jesus anointed with the Holy Spirit and power• His ministry of healing and deliverance• His death on the cross• His resurrection on the third day• Appointed by God as Judge of the living

and the dead• Forgiveness of sin comes through

believing in Him

Acts 10:44-48

1) The Holy Spirit fell2) Something visible/audible

happened3) Water baptism was

administered immediately

A paradigm shift1) The gospel is not just for practicing

Jews2) Religion is being challenged3) The fulfillment of the Law through

Christ is being manifest4) Prejudice and racism are being

confronted5) The Dispensation of Grace is born

Are we all called to be “cross cultural” missionaries?

Who are our modern day “Gentiles or Samaritans?

Why shouldn’t we just expect them to come to us, and become like us?

What rules or “social norms” would we have to re-think, in order to go to them?

Romans 10:14-15

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?

How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”