Storytellers, pt. 3
Ben Bishop | August 14, 2022
We hope this guide will help you take the good news you hear today into your daily lives.
This week, Ben Bishop dives into the story of Peter and the Roman centurion Cornelius in Acts chapter 10. How will Peter respond when called by the Spirit to go against his religious tradition and associate with a Gentile?
Scripture and Notes
“This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
Matthew 3:17 (NLT)
The angel said, “Your prayers and neighborly acts have brought you to God’s attention. Here’s what you are to do. Send men to Joppa to get Simon, the one everyone calls Peter. He is staying with Simon the Tanner, whose house is down by the sea.”
Acts 10:4-6 (MSG)
Then a voice came: “Go to it, Peter—kill and eat.”
Peter said, “Oh, no, Lord. I’ve never so much as tasted food that was not kosher.”
The voice came a second time: “If God says it’s okay, it’s okay.”
Acts 10:14-15 (MSG)
…the Spirit whispered to him, “Three men are knocking at the door looking for you. Get down there and go with them. Don’t ask any questions. I sent them to get you.”
Peter went down and said to the men, “I think I’m the man you’re looking for. What’s up?”
Acts 10:20-21 (MSG)
“It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open. The Message he sent to the children of Israel—that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again—well, he’s doing it everywhere, among everyone.”
Acts 10:34-36 (MSG)
The believing Jews who had come with Peter couldn’t believe it, couldn’t believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on “outsiders” non-Jews, but there it was—they heard them speaking in tongues, heard them praising God.
Acts 10:45-46 (MSG)
What does the Lord require? To do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8 (NLT)
Going Deeper: God Plays No Favorites
In Acts 10, Peter, a Jewish apostle, and Cornelius, a Roman centurion and Gentile God-worshipper are united by the Holy Spirit. We shouldn’t overlook the significance of this cultural crossover in the 1st Century Mediterranean world. Peter expresses it best below:
“You know, I’m sure that this is highly irregular. Jews just don’t do this—visit and relax with people of another race. But God has just shown me that no race is better than any other.”
Acts 10:28 (The Message)
In your quiet time this week, ask God to show you if there are any areas of your life where you are being called to reach outside your comfort zone, to begin building a bridge across racial, ethic, or socio-economic divisions. Be encouraged that the same Holy Spirit we read about in Acts 10 is actively working in our lives today—you are not alone in this work.
“It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open. The Message he sent to the children of Israel—that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again—well, he’s doing it everywhere, among everyone.”
Acts 10:34-36 (The Message)
You may want to spend time with the verses above, or read Acts 10 for yourself this week as you pray or journal about what God may be placing on your heart.
