Heralds Digest

“When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭11:23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.11.23.nkjv While it is generally taken that believers are first called Christians in Antioch, it is mostly a general concern that sustaining the character and charisma of Christ is difficult. However, Barnabas appeared to open the silver lining in his exhortation to believers in Antioch by differentiating between God’s grace and the gracious God. It is always amazing to discover the benefits of God’s grace, including salvation from sin for the unthinkable, healing and deliverance from the bondage of sickness for the lawful captives, and engagement in the ministry for the least-worthy of men on earth. Notwithstanding, many are often not wary to ride grace with conscious focus on the gracious God. Whereas, Barnabas “encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with...

“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 ...

“And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God...” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:45-46‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.10.45-46.nkjv Sanctification as a concept of ability instead of availability is always a myth for sincere souls and those who want to live for the glory of God. Whereas here, the Holy Spirit was poured out on those who were perceived to lack the ability to recite the date or moment of their salvation and clearly distinguish between their experiences before and after sanctification. Which implies that sanctification is rather a state of the heart fully surrendered unto the Lord and not really the status of a head fully surrounded by the knowledge of the words and way of God. The Holy Spirit is always ready and prepared as an availability tool for God’s errands; and not really an ability tool for man’s ego...

“how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:38‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.10.38.nkjv It is often said that God can do everything without man; but He chose never to do anything without man. With every man that is freely surrendered unto God, Peter here admitted that he becomes a true instrument in the hands of God. For example, Jesus of Nazareth was fully anointed by God to speak words of salvation and healing to those who were oppressed by the devil. And even today, if any man can possibly be without himself and be fully influenced by God, his works among the people at home, workplaces and the society will be powered by the winsome words of God. Unfortunately, it is absolutely impossible for us to be intoxicated by the works of our hands and be anointed by the words of God at the same time.

“So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:33‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.10.33.nkjv In today’s world of advanced technology, communications between Cornelius and Peter is possible in few minutes; and it is definitely weird to imagine a four day delay. Even messages from thousand of miles and across the world apart can be streamed live; while meeting methods like teleconferencing can save the hassles of space and economy constraints. Notwithstanding, there are numerous channels of communication that lacks the desirable content and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Obviously, advances in methods of communication without the message from the throne of grace are bound to be empty and void of the life-changing influences. Whereas, our world at home, workplaces and the society is blessed when a message man or woman is always prepared to be called upon to deli...

“Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.10.23.nkjv On the D-Day, and by an insight of the scriptures, we know that Peter embarked on a journey from Joppa to Caesarea with a team of at least nine people according to the will of God. Otherwise, the day would have been presumably started with the normal delights in whatever good adventure, pleasure, and engagement it brings. And one of the awful but sincere feelings of any day is the anxiety surrounding the possible ignorance of what each brand new day of a man’s life would bring. Whereas, the trip from Joppa to Caesarea for Peter and his team holds an exception to any anxiety in facing the challenges against every day’s engagements. Since there are several revelation of divine instructions to parties both in Caesarea and Joppa preceding the D-Day, it was difficult for anyone among the concer...

“And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:15-16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/act.10.15-16.nkjv Just as expected in believers relationships with God, fruitful relationships in the family are inspired by intimacy, trust and respect for other parties’ potentials without hard recourse to personal performance. Without submission to the value and virtue of family fellowship, Peter wouldn’t have accepted the call of the Father to step out of his comfort zone. And by insisting on “I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean” like Peter, relationships (either between husband and wife, or between parents and children) in homes strictly on hard boundaries around material things and individual performances, and with little or no compromises on the trust and respect for the personality of parties, are likely to hit the rock. When God sue...