Peter’s Defense

What God reveals to Peter during his visit to Cornelius’ house is highly controversial: that God is available to everyone and anyone who has faith in him. This crosses racial and cultural lines, which raises some eyebrows - until the Church leaders hear him out.

Read: Acts 11:1-18 (NLT)

Explore the Theme: Peter’s actions are questioned by the Church; they call Peter in to explain his actions. They see the risk in what he is doing in breaking the letter of the law that they know. They can’t yet see that it is a sign of the expanding of God’s work in the world. What do you think they experienced as their doubts were transformed into greater faith?

Ask God: When Peter meets the brothers, the Spirit tells him to go with them, to risk what he knows for something that is beyond what he has previously understood. Peter immediately follows; he doesn’t hesitate. Ask God if there is an area the Spirit may be leading you in and if there is, ask for faith to step into it

Live it Out: What would it look like if you were to step out in faith, trusting that God is working all things out? If you are unsure of an area of faith the Spirit is leading you into, ask your community group to pray with you to help you discern where you can step out in faith. If you are not in a community group, this may be something practical you can consider stepping into.