DId God Really Say…

April 17, 2024

Read Deuteronomy 1, Psalm 122-123, Acts 10

In my early years I spent just about every Friday night watching my favorite show, the A-Team. The four members of the A-Team would be out to help someone in need, and you could garuntee by the end of the program they were going to create something to rescue and save the day. The lead role of Col. Hannibal Smith had a tag line he would say when the plan worked out. “I love it when a plan comes together!” Cue the music and then the show was off.

As I read Acts 10 I find myself wondering if God might have said the same thing when it was all said and done. Infinitely more complex and knowledgeable God pieced together a plan to bring the gospel to the Gentiles. A Gentile Roman Centurion named Cornelius was visited by an angel. “One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” ⁴ Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. ⁵ Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter” vv.3-5. At the same time God had also given Peter a vision of a sheet with animals on it and then commanded Peter to kill and eat them.  “’Surely not, Lord!’ Peter replied. ‘I have never eaten anything impure or unclean’” v. 14. Three times God told him the same thing. Just about then the men from Cornlius house arrive and ask for Peter to come with them. God confirms it and tells Peter to go with the men. On arrival at Cornelius’s house the rest of the story is made known to Peter. Then Peter understands the plan. “Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism ³⁵ but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right” vv. 34-35. God had to show Peter though a vision of food that the Gentiles were also clean and ready to receive the gospel from Peter. All these working parts came together to complete the mission and save the Gentiles that Cornelius had gathered at his home.

How have you been a part of God’s plan and seen God working together with others to accomplish the mission? What else do you see here in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.