Going Deeper in "You Are Amazing"
Acts 10:44-48
44 Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. 45 The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. 46 For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God.
Then Peter asked, 47 “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” 48 So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days.
Read the following a few times:
Reflect on the following:
1. What events led up to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles in this passage?
2. How did Peter and the Jewish believers respond to witnessing the Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit?
3. Peter inherited a long tradition of chauvinism from his parents and generations of rabbis gone wrong. As the most visible leader of the church, however, Peter couldn’t remain as he had been; he needed radical, spiritual heart surgery. What makes it hard to have a change our beliefs?
4. What significance does the inclusion of Gentiles in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit hold for the early church?
5. What barriers or prejudices needed to be overcome for the gospel to be shared with the Gentiles?
6. How does Peter explain the actions of the Holy Spirit falling upon the Gentiles to the Jewish believers?
7. How does this passage challenge our understanding of who is included in God's plan of salvation?
8. How does the Holy Spirit continue to break down barriers and unite believers across cultural and ethnic divides today?
9. How can we apply the principles of this passage to our own lives and ministry, particularly in terms of welcoming and embracing diversity within the body of Christ?
Challenges:
1. Reflect on any prejudices or biases you may hold towards people of different cultures or backgrounds. Ask God to help you overcome these barriers and embrace all people as equals in His sight.
2. Challenge yourself to reach out to someone from a different cultural or ethnic background and engage in meaningful dialogue or fellowship.