children sts Lesson 39 – Peter Defends Outreach to the Gentiles

Text: Acts 11:1–30

Sharing the Gospel of salvation with the Gentiles (people who are not Jews) is the perfect will of God. However, the disciples who were the foundation of the New Testament church did not really understand this important purpose of God for all mankind. They thought that salvation through Christ was only meant for the Jews (children of Israel). God therefore used the encounter between apostle Peter and the centurion named Cornelius to correct this wrong idea.

Firstly, God showed Peter a clear vision about the necessity of doing away with the Jewish idea of segregation or “Jewish superiority” to other nations. God led Peter to the house of Cornelius (a Gentile) to preach the gospel.

Through the message they listened to, Cornelius with his family believed in Jesus and instantly received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Coming back after this wonderful outreach, the Jewish believers accused Peter of going to eat with the Gentiles. They were more concerned about ceremonial religion than the salvation of souls. Peter had to spend time explaining to them his vision and how God directed him to the house of Cornelius.

Jesus loves everyone and is not interested that anyone should perish. He has come to seek and save all that are lost. As a friend of Jesus, you are called to preach the gospel to every creature. Do not discriminate, tell everyone that Jesus is the Saviour. Sinners are called to surrender to Jesus, repent and receive salvation from sin.

1. Conversion of the Gentiles Defended

Acts 11:1–18; 10:34–38; Romans 10:12–15

Acts chapter 10 gives us the account of how the door of the gospel was opened to the Gentiles through the conversion of Cornelius and his family. The rest of the apostles and brethren heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. When Peter returned to Jerusalem, those Jewish believers accused him of going to eat with Gentiles.

In those days, the Jews do not always enter into Gentile house to eat with them for fear of being defiled. The Jews had many traditions and human laws that forbade them from having fellowship with the Gentiles.

Peter carefully explained the events in the order in which they occurred:

1. i) His vision in Joppa with the sheet and unclean animals
   ii) The voice from heaven, “what God had cleansed is no more common”
   iii) The arrival of men from Caesarea
   iv) The Spirit telling him to go with them in company of six brethren
   v) How Cornelius was told by an angel to send for Peter
   vi) How as he began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on the Gentiles just as it fell on the apostles at the beginning

Peter reasoned that, if Gentiles received the same promise as they did when they believed, who was he to stand in God’s way? Those who challenged Peter became silent and had no option than to glorify God.

The lesson we learn here is that Jesus loves everyone whether yellow, black or white. They are all precious in His sight. Children of God must not discriminate against anyone. You are called to share the love of Jesus to everyone you come in contact with – children of other religion, race, tribe, colour, physically challenged, the poor, uneducated and others. Doing this will show that we are true Christians.

2. The Church in Antioch

Acts 11:19–30

The persecution that arose against the believers in Acts chapter 8 made them to scatter abroad to other cities. This led to the preaching of the gospel in four places such as Phenice, Cyprus, Antioch and Cyrene.

These disciples enjoyed great success in the spread of the gospel especially in Antioch. The hand of the Lord was with them and great numbers of people believed and accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard what the Lord had done, they sent Barnabas to Antioch to help encourage and build up the faith of the new believers.

He did not just do that, he went in search of Saul who was now known as Paul and brought him to Antioch. They all worked together and laboured tirelessly for the spread of the gospel. Not only that, Christlike love, devotion and sweet fellowship became the characteristic traits of the brethren. It was because of these that the people around started calling them “Christians”. This teaches us that a believer must behave like Christ.

If you have repented and turned from your bad ways, the fruit of Christlike life must be seen in you. The believers in Antioch were referred to as Christians because they behaved like Christ. You must be a Christian in your word, relationship with others, dressing, action and general lifestyle. This is the type of life that honours God.

3. Call to Preach the Gospel to Every Creature

Acts 11:4–17; Matthew 28:16–20; Mark 16:15–20

Apostle Peter shared his own personal story of faith. He was not simply talking about what type of food to eat, he was referring to the sharing of the gospel to everyone, everywhere.

Through a series of events, God brought Peter and Cornelius together to make it clear to all of us that the gospel is meant to be preached to all people regardless of race, gender, nationality, or location. Jesus emphasises this in what is commonly referred to as the Great Commission.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

This passage is the call of God to all friends of Jesus. He set the example by leading the apostle to the Gentiles. If not, we, today, wouldn’t have been able to hear the gospel and be saved. Therefore, we must not allow the word to die in our hands.

Let us go out even as little children and share the message of Christ’s love to the sinners. We have a lot of resources at our disposal – tracts, gospel literature, social media and many more. Take advantage of those resources and preach the gospel to sinners around you. God will bless you for your obedience.

Questions

1. Who accused Peter of going to eat with the Gentiles?
2. Who is a Gentile?
3. Mention the reason why Peter went to Cornelius house.
4. What were the visible traits in the church at Antioch that made people to call them Christians?
5. Friends of Jesus are called to ______ every ______.

Memory Verse

“Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could…”

Lesson

Jesus is the Saviour of the world.

Thought

I will serve Jesus and preach the gospel to sinners.

Activity

Pray for five minutes everyday of the week for all the missionaries in foreign lands.

Homework

Search your Bible and write down in your church notebook four verses from different books of the Bible that show that Jesus is the Saviour of all creatures.

Congregational Song

GHS 107 – Go and Tell Them

Choruses

1. Jesus the same yesterday, and today and forever.
2. I have a new life.
3. Go tell it on the mountain.

Bible Word Search

Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:

1. Conversion
2. Gentiles
3. Defend
4. Outreach
5. Church