Truth in Acts

Like a lighthouse in Great Lakes fog, Acts cuts through modern Christianity with vibrant, practical truth. I’m thinking about two truths from this New Testament book this morning as I wait to board the plane for central Haiti.

In Acts 10, Peter (a Jewish Christian) tells Cornelius (a Gentile soldier) and his family, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.” (Acts 10:28) God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.

Every person is created by God in His image and is endowed by their Creator – not by us – with worth and dignity. This inherent value has nothing to do with where a person lives, how much they have, their level of education or career attainment. You and I are citizens of the United States not because we deserve to live in a wealthy, free nation, but because God willed it so. He gave us opportunities so many people in our world only dream of so we could bring glory to Him. That’s humbling and motivating to me!

I’m also noticing in Acts how often believers gather together to pray. The church began in a prayer meeting (Acts 1 and 2) and continued to pray as it expanded across the known world. Acts 12 shows us the habit of the early church. Herod imprisoned Peter, a popular move during the Passover holiday. The unscrupulous ruler probably intended to execute Peter as he had the Apostle James not long before. God had other plans. He sent His angel to remove Peter’s chains, open his cell and the prison doors. Peter found himself on the streets of Jerusalem and realized it wasn’t just a nice dream.

Scripture tells us: “When he [Peter] realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.” (Acts 12:12) Many were gathered together and were praying. This was the church’s habit, and God has challenged me for several years now to make it my habit. It’s easy for us as Americans to depend on our smarts, skills and resources – and fail to depend on the Lord for what’s really needed: God’s supernatural intervention.

I’m finishing this post a week after I started it – and got better internet! We will wrap up PPI Course 3 tomorrow with 82 church leaders. The Lord is working among us through His Word and His Spirit! Our team has worked hard to prepare for this course (and the two courses that follow next week). We’re committed to excellence and, at this point, have a pretty well oil machine. But hard work, commitment to excellence and efficient teamwork are not the main reasons God is moving in the hearts of church leaders in our training.

I’m convinced God is answering your prayers for us and our team’s prayer together. We have asked the Lord to fill us with His Spirit so that we can honor, encourage and equip each church leader who attends our courses over these two weeks. And we see Him answering your and our prayers together!