This week we see three themes of the Book of Acts come into focus. How will the fledgling church relate to the Gentile world? In Acts 11 Peter returns to the faithful in Jerusalem and explains that God commanded him to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. This ends with the disciples in Jerusalem exclaiming “God has given even to the Gentiles repentance that leads to eternal life.” (Acts 11:18). This sets the stage for Paul’s more ambitious missionary journeys into the Gentile world.
Acts 12 examines the church’s relationship to the Roman Government. Herod begins to persecute the early church, putting James to death, and threatening Peter. In the end, the Gospel prevails. Acts 13 -14 recounts the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas in inner Asia Minor. The journey begins and ends in Antioch, and is filled with heady success (with the minor exception of a stoning in Iconium). The journey ends with a report to the Antioch church “that God opened the door of faith for the Gentiles.” (Acts 14:27)
Acts 15 begins a new chapter to the story of the Gentile Mission. For the first time, major dissention and debate erupt over what to do with these new Gentile converts! Who knew that church growth could be so controversial! Pay close attention to the controversy and the manner of debate. Could this possibly be a model for the modern church as we face contentious issues?
