You’re reading ACTS: LESSONS IN FAITH, by Eric Elder, featuring thirty inspiring devotionals based on the lives of the very first followers of Christ. Also available in paperback and eBook formats in our bookstore for a donation of any size!

Scripture Reading: Acts 11

Some people think that Christianity is exclusive.  They think that because Christ said that people must believe in Him in order to come back to the Father that Christianity excludes people.  The truth is, Christianity is not exclusive, but incredibly inclusive.  It’s open to all people, of all ages, from all races and all nationalities.

The story of Peter and Cornelius in Acts chapters 10 and 11 shows us just how inclusive Christianity really is.  Peter was a Jew and one of the closest follower of Christ, but God sent Peter to Cornelius, who was not Jewish, to tell him the good news about Christ.  Peter went, but not without some having to triple check with God beforehand.  The Bible says that as Peter was praying one day, he had a vision from God:

“He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’  

‘Surely not, Lord!’ Peter replied. ‘I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.’ 

The voice spoke to him a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ 

This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven” (Acts 10:11-16). 

As Peter was wondering about the vision, some men arrived at his door, asking if he would come with them to see Cornelius, a man who was a Roman soldier, but who was devout and God-fearing, prayed regularly and gave generously to those in need.

Realizing the vision was from God, Peter went with them, shared the good news of Christ with Cornelius and all those at his house, and they were all baptized in both water and in the Holy Spirit.

Peter realized God’s desire to keep the Jewish people holy by not interacting with non-Jews was for their protection, but not for the exclusion of others.  It was a way to keep the Jews pure, not keep others out.  Others have always been welcome, and now, through Jesus, the way was made clear for them.  When Peter told the other disciples what had happened, they praised God saying “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life” (Acts 11:18b).

I used to think Christians were being prideful and arrogant when they claimed that you had to believe in Christ in order to come to God.  But I learned that it was not Christians who made that claim, but Jesus Himself.  Just before His death and resurrection into heaven, Jesus told His disciples how to get where He was going:

“You know the way to the place where I am going….I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:4,6). 

There was no pride or arrogance in what Jesus said, but simple, humble truth.  Christ went on to demonstrate His love for us and the truthfulness of what He said when He died for our sins and opened the way for anyone who believed in Him to come back to God, free, clean and forgiven.

Peter shared this good news on another occasion to a crowd of thousands who had gathered from all over the world.  During his message, Peter made this bold claim about Jesus:  “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).  When the people heard it, rather than turning their backs and responding with disgust at Peter’s arrogance, over 3,000 of them turned their hearts towards Christ, putting their faith in Him, and being baptized in His name.

Faith includes, as Cornelius and his entire household discovered.

If you’ve never put your faith in Christ, I encourage you to do it today.  If you know someone who needs to put their faith in Christ, invite them to come to Him today.  He is the way and the truth and the life, and His way is open to all.

Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Jesus as the way back to You.  Help me invite others back, too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.