One of the biggest challenges the early church faced was figuring out how to include the Gentiles—people who weren’t part of the Jewish faith—into this new community of believers. For the earliest followers of Jesus, who were all Jewish, this wasn’t just a logistical issue; it was a deep, cultural, and religious hurdle. Welcoming people who didn’t follow the same customs or traditions was a major shift, and it forced the church to wrestle with old prejudices. But with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the early church learned a valuable lesson about God’s heart for all people.
Today, we’ll look at how the church navigated this challenge, what it means to break down barriers, and how we can apply these lessons to our own lives and communities.
Peter’s Vision: A New Understanding of Purity and Inclusion
In Acts 10, we meet a man named Cornelius, a Roman centurion and a Gentile. He was devout and God-fearing, but not part of the Jewish faith. God sent an angel to Cornelius, instructing him to send for Peter. At the same time, Peter had a vision from God while praying. He saw a sheet coming down from heaven with all kinds of animals—many of which were considered “unclean” under Jewish law. Then a voice said, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."
Peter was shocked. He had spent his entire life following Jewish dietary laws, which were a major part of Jewish identity. Peter responded, "Surely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." But the voice spoke again: "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean" (Acts 10:13-15).
This vision wasn’t just about food; it was about people. Through this encounter, God was showing Peter that the old barriers between Jews and Gentiles were coming down. God’s plan of salvation was not just for Israel, but for all people. The lesson was clear: inclusion in the family of God wasn’t about following specific rituals or laws, but about faith in Jesus.
Peter and Cornelius: A Radical Shift in Thinking
After the vision, Peter was invited to Cornelius’ house. He entered, despite Jewish customs that forbade entering a Gentile’s home, and shared the gospel with Cornelius and his household. As Peter spoke, the Holy Spirit came upon all who heard the message, just as it had on the Jewish believers at Pentecost. Peter was astonished. He said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have" (Acts 10:47).
This moment was a turning point. Peter realized that God didn’t show favoritism—salvation was for everyone, regardless of ethnicity or background (Acts 10:34-35). This wasn’t an easy realization for Peter or the early church, but it was the beginning of a new, inclusive understanding of the gospel.
The Early Church Wrestles with Prejudice
Peter’s experience with Cornelius wasn’t an isolated event. The issue of Gentile inclusion became a major topic of debate within the early church. Some Jewish believers felt that Gentiles should first convert to Judaism and follow the Law of Moses, including being circumcised, before they could fully join the church (Acts 15:1). This disagreement came to a head at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, where the apostles and elders gathered to discuss the matter.
After much debate, Peter stood up and reminded them of his experience with Cornelius. He declared, "God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith" (Acts 15:8-9). Paul and Barnabas also shared how God had worked among the Gentiles during their missionary journeys.
In the end, the council agreed that Gentiles didn’t need to become Jews to follow Jesus. Salvation was by grace through faith alone, not by following the law. This decision broke down centuries-old barriers and paved the way for the gospel to spread across cultural lines.
Breaking Down Barriers Today
The early church’s struggle with Gentile inclusion might feel far removed from our context, but the truth is, we still face similar challenges. Whether it’s cultural differences, social divides, or long-held prejudices, we often find ourselves putting up barriers to keep people out of our communities. But God’s message remains the same: His love and salvation are for everyone.
Galatians 3:28 reminds us that in Christ, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." The gospel breaks down the walls that divide us. Whether it’s race, social status, or past mistakes, none of those things matter when it comes to following Jesus.
How Can We Apply This?
So, what does this look like for us today? First, we need to examine our own hearts. Are there people we’re tempted to exclude or look down on because they’re different from us?
Are there prejudices we’ve held onto, consciously or unconsciously?
We’re called to reflect the inclusive love of God in the way we treat others. That means being willing to cross boundaries, just like Peter did when he entered Cornelius’ house. It means opening our doors and hearts to people who might not look like us, think like us, or share our background.
We also need to recognize that it’s not always comfortable. Breaking down barriers takes humility, grace, and a willingness to let go of old ways of thinking. But just as the Holy Spirit led Peter to a new understanding, He will lead us if we’re open to His guidance.
Reflection:
Are there any barriers you’ve built up, intentionally or unintentionally, that keep you from fully including others?
How can you embrace the inclusive heart of God and show His love to those who are different from you?
Scriptures for Further Reading:
Acts 10:1-48 – Peter’s vision and the inclusion of Cornelius.
Acts 15:1-21 – The Jerusalem Council and the inclusion of Gentiles.
Galatians 3:28 – Unity in Christ, regardless of cultural or social background.
Breaking down barriers isn’t easy, but it’s what the gospel calls us to do. Just as the early church learned to include the Gentiles, we are invited to expand our view of who’s welcome in God’s family. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can move beyond our prejudices and embrace the diversity of God’s kingdom.
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