Heralds Digest

  “If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life. ”” Acts 11 : 17 - 18 NKJV Reflecting on the danger of self service in the account of apostle Peter, it became alarming how the scriptures are awash with many characters of strong worth and sacrifices who struggled and slumped on the altar of self service. Notable among these characters is Abiathar the priest at the close of his service before king David. Considering the ties between David and Abiathar which were cemented by the blood of 85 peoples in his household and several other sacrifices, it was incredibly touching how Abiathar fell alongside Joab by following Adonijah in rebellion against the counsel of God (1 King 1:7). Peter probably remembered how self service led to his denial of Jesus Chris...

  “ If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” ” Acts 11 : 17 - 18 NKJV Even in secular organizations and systems, fellowship demands fruitfulness. Needless to talk of the empowering influence of the Holy Spirit on all believers for fruitful services. The only challenge is that we often oppose the influence of the Spirit, knowingly or unknowingly, instead of following His leading. Peter’s experience and rhetorical question to his contending apostles and disciples opened the regular floor of contention in our everyday ministry: “ If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God” ? Unfortunately, opposing God is the common cause of fruitlessness, frustration, and...

“If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭11:17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.11.17.nkjv Discrimination and the complications with the demand for diversity in fellowship activities are often treated as social problem rather than spiritual misconception. Even at the early church, the apostles and elders struggled with the undermining of God’s Grace as the solution to the natural lack of appetite for social inclusiveness. However, Peter provided a relief in the possibility of grace in diversity. The grace to people with different race, colour, cultural background, denominational affiliation, and professional class may possess divers social attachment; it is wrapped as the same gift from God if grace is involved. Therefore, it is easier to manage the differences in people of like-precious faith under the same roof at home, same regulation in workplaces, and same rules in ...

“When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭11:18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/act.11.18.nkjv The combination of honesty with good reporting is not common, especially in public speaking. The politics of peace demands the sampling of popular opinion and a determination towards the presentation of good and acceptable report, with little emphasis on honesty. Notwithstanding, Peter gave an honest report of the instances that led to his ministration to the gentile family of Cornelius in Casearea. It was a dispassionate, honest, and true report of the happenings, without consideration of his personal biases. Unfortunately, honesty in today's reporting suffers the deserved popular respect because of personal considerations, promoting diplomacy and institutional etiquette above the sentiments of the Holy Spirit. Whereas, honesty is completely disloyal to all personal and i...