Breaking Down All Barriers
 
I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. Acts 13:47. References from Acts 10:1-11:18.

The first Christians were nearly all Jews, as was Jesus. Joel's prophecy said that the Spirit would be poured out on all people (Joel 2:28;  Acts 2:17), and the events of Acts 2 confirmed this. Still, it was hard for the early church to understand how Gentiles fit into God's plan. It was probably impossible to envision a unified church with Jewish and Gentile Christians. But God faithfully guides His church in the direction in which He wants it to go.

Cornelius was a Gentile who feared God, but God was about to reveal Himself further to this faithful man, and He was going to use Peter to accomplish this.

God used a vision to prepare Peter for this new assignment. In this vision, the strict Jewish division between ritually clean and unclean foods was broken down (v15). This removed one of the stumbling blocks that a devout Jew like Peter would have had about sharing a meal with a Gentile like Cornelius. It also symbolized what God was about to do in the church (v34-35). As Peter preached the gospel in Cornelius's household, the Spirit descended, just as He had at Pentecost (v45). They all spoke in tongues as the Spirit entered their bodies.

It's interesting that the leadership didn't question that Gentiles had been baptized, but rather that Peter had eaten with them (Acts 11:3). This shows how strong the divisions were between Jew and Gentile. Yet when those in Jerusalem understood what God was doing among the Gentiles, they too rejoiced in worship. Later, Paul would describe the unity between Jew and Gentile this way: For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (Eph 2:14).


Take Off Those Beggar's Clothes!

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Sometimes we are caught without the 'right' clothing, and it bothers us. It might hinder or embarrass us in what we are about to do, since we do need different clothing to different things. Firemen need protective clothing, when they go to the site of a fire. Other jobs require the use of uniforms. Farmers don't dress up to do their work around their farm. They wear clothing that is suited to outdoors and hard work.

Blind Bartimaeus sat by the edge of the road begging. People could tell he was a poor man and a beggar by what he wore. We are often identified by what we 'wear'. Our outwardly appearance lets people usually know the way we are inwardly. And, it's not always the 'clothes we wear' that will alert them to the kind of person we are.

There is a time of weeping, a time of mourning, but there is also a time for rejoicing and thanksgiving. As Jesus passed by blind Bartameaus, Bartameaus became aggressive. He cried out to God, 'have mercy on me'. Others wanted him to be quiet and hold his peace, but Bartameaus just cried out louder. Jesus called to him, and he arose, casting off his 'beggar's garment'. Jesus asked him what he wanted, and he replied that he wanted his sight. The Lord told him to go on his way, he was made whole.

If we would learn to cast off our 'beggar's garments' and come boldly to the throne of God, He will hear us and answer our prayer. We need to get aggressive as Bartimaeus did that day. Let's not sit around and have a pity party, but run to God and put on our garment of praise and thanksgiving!