Acts 11:13
And he shewed vs how hee had seene an Angell in his house, which stood and said vnto him, Send men to Ioppa, and call for Simon, whose sirname is Peter: Acts 11:13 (KJV)
The book of Acts, written by Luke, records the early history of the Christian Church. In Acts 11, Peter is recounting the events that took place when he was called by God to share the gospel with the Gentiles.
Background: Acts 10 narrates the story of Cornelius, a Roman centurion who was a devout man seeking God’s guidance. In response to Cornelius’ prayers and devotion, God sent an angel to him and instructed him to send for Peter.
Divine Encounter: In Acts 11:13, Peter tells his fellow believers how Cornelius explained his divine encounter. Cornelius had seen an angel in his house, and the angel instructed him to send men to Joppa to bring Peter.
The Message: The angel’s message to Cornelius was clear—to send for Peter. God was orchestrating a divine encounter between Peter and Cornelius, a Gentile, for a specific purpose.
Peter’s Response: In the following verses (Acts 10:14-16), Peter initially hesitates because he sees unclean animals in a vision and hears a voice telling him to eat them. Through this vision and the leading of the Holy Spirit, Peter comes to understand that God does not show partiality and that the gospel is for everyone who believes.
Gospel for All Nations: Acts 11:13 highlights an essential turning point in the early Church’s understanding of the gospel’s universality. God uses the angelic visitation to Cornelius and Peter’s obedience to demonstrate that salvation is not limited to the Jews but extends to the Gentiles as well.
Peter’s Preaching: After Peter arrives at Cornelius’ house (Acts 10:34-48), he shares the message of Jesus Christ with Cornelius and his household. They respond in faith, receive the Holy Spirit, and are baptized. This event marks the beginning of the Gentiles’ inclusion into the Church, emphasizing the fulfillment of God’s plan to extend salvation to all nations.
Key Lessons: God initiates divine encounters and orchestrates events to fulfill His purposes. God’s message of salvation is for all people, regardless of their background or nationality. The Church should embrace and reach out to people of all nations, sharing the gospel and making disciples.
Application: Acts 11:13 reminds us that God can work in unexpected ways and call us to engage with people outside our familiar circles. We should be open to divine encounters and willing to share the good news of Jesus Christ with all people, regardless of their background or ethnicity.
