What steps can we take to welcome all believers, as seen in Acts 11:15? The Moment that Changed Everything “ ‘As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as He had on us at the beginning.’ ” (Acts 11:15) What Peter Witnessed • God acted first—before any human approval was given • The same Holy Spirit sealed Gentile believers exactly as He had Jewish believers (Acts 2:4) • The evidence was undeniable, removing grounds for partiality Key Principle: Recognize God’s Initiative • If the Spirit welcomes someone, we must welcome them (John 6:37) • Any prior prejudice or tradition must yield to God’s clear work (Mark 7:8-9) Practical Steps to Welcome All Believers 1. Listen for the Spirit’s Evidence • Look for the fruit of repentance and faith (Galatians 5:22-23) • Value testimonies that highlight God’s grace rather than human qualifications 2. Confirm Equal Standing in Christ • Declare openly that there is “neither Jew nor Greek… for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28) • Teach that baptism and communion are shared by every believer without distinction (1 Corinthians 12:13) 3. Remove Man-Made Barriers • Eliminate extra-biblical requirements for fellowship (Romans 14:1-3) • Address prejudices—ethnic, social, or cultural—through honest repentance (James 2:1-4) 4. Extend Tangible Fellowship • Invite new believers into homes and small groups (Acts 2:46) • Share resources as needs arise, imitating the early church’s generosity (Acts 4:34-35) 5. Affirm Publicly and Celebrate • Rejoice when the gospel crosses boundaries (Luke 15:7) • Testify to the congregation so everyone sees God’s inclusiveness at work (Acts 11:18) 6. Disciple Side by Side • Pair mature believers with newcomers for teaching and prayer (2 Timothy 2:2) • Encourage service teams that mix backgrounds, strengthening unity (Ephesians 4:16) The Fruit of Obedience • A church marked by peace, “one new man” in Christ (Ephesians 2:14-16) • A credible witness to the world that Jesus truly saves to the uttermost (John 17:21) • An environment where every gift flourishes, bringing growth to all (1 Corinthians 12:7) By following Peter’s example—recognizing God’s hand, laying down prejudices, and embracing Spirit-filled believers—we align ourselves with the heart of Acts 11:15 and open wide the doors of genuine Christian fellowship. |
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