What steps can we take to ensure inclusivity in our church community? Setting the Scene in Acts 10 Peter, an observant Jewish believer, is led by the Holy Spirit to the home of Cornelius, a Gentile centurion. God visibly pours out the Spirit on these Gentiles (vv. 44-46), overturning every cultural barrier Peter had known. The event proves—literally and historically—that God welcomes all who repent and believe, regardless of background. Key Insight from Acts 10:48 “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.” Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ publicly seals their full inclusion, while Peter’s decision to remain with them “for a few days” models ongoing fellowship, not a one-time gesture. Practical Steps Toward Inclusivity • Receive people on the same biblical basis God does—faith in Christ alone—refusing to add cultural, ethnic, or social prerequisites (Acts 10:34-35). • Offer the same visible ordinances to every believer. Baptism and the Lord’s Table testify that “we who are many are one body” (1 Corinthians 10:17). • Stay and share life together. Hospitality after conversion, as Peter did, builds genuine bonds. • Teach the whole counsel of God so everyone grows toward “the unity of the faith” (Ephesians 4:13). • Appoint diverse servants and leaders as the Jerusalem church did (Acts 6:1-6), showing trust in the Spirit’s gifting rather than human preferences. • Speak and listen with grace, “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21). • Confront prejudice quickly, following James 2:1-4, to keep favoritism from taking root. • Celebrate testimonies of God’s work across cultures, echoing the church’s praise when Gentiles believed (Acts 11:18). Additional Biblical Foundations • Galatians 3:28—In Christ “there is neither Jew nor Greek… for you are all one.” • Ephesians 2:14-18—Christ “has broken down the dividing wall of hostility.” • Revelation 7:9-10—The redeemed from “every nation, tribe, people, and tongue” worship together eternally. • Romans 15:7—“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Living It Out Together • Keep Christ and His gospel central; shared doctrine unites more deeply than shared culture. • Anchor every ministry, from small groups to outreach, in the plain teaching of Scripture, ensuring equal access to truth. • Maintain open tables, open homes, and open hearts, demonstrating that the same Spirit who fell on Cornelius dwells in every believer today. |
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