As we return to Acts this Sunday, we once again find ourselves in a text that is providentially applicable to us today. Acts 12 presents the early church with a new, seemingly insurmountable opponent. Instead of being opposed and persecuted by the Jewish religious leaders or an overzealous Pharisee (Saul) bent on killing individual Christians, now all the governmental might of King Herod Antipas I (backed by the Roman garrison in Jerusalem) will attempt to destroy the church. The political power and might of Herod is enormous. He is a childhood friend of the Roman Emperor Claudius and uses the Roman garrison of Jerusalem to do his bidding. He succeeds in killing the Apostle James and imprisons Peter. And as the worldly powers marshal themselves to destroy the leadership of the church, all the believers can do is pray.

Chapter 12 is a clash of powers. The power of the world which seems unconquerable, and the power of God to overrule and overcome all others. Sunday, we will see that although individual Christians may suffer and even be killed, the Lord’s power is above all other powers. The Church’s prayers avail much, even when their faith is lacking, and when all the dust settles, the mission of Christ is increasing and multiplying (12:24). The church at prayer is surprised when their prayers are answered in this text, they needed to learn the lesson that we must internalize as well. There is no power in creation that can conquer the power of our God and His gospel.

God answers Moses objections by revealing more of Himself and His purpose to deliver Israel

Hannah sings a joyful, thankful, and worshipful prayer at the tabernacle of God as she dedicates her son Samuel to the service of the Lord. 1 Samuel begins with Hannah as a barren woman, suffering in despair and calling out to God for the blessing of a child. She prays at the tabernacle that God would give her a child and vows to give him back to the Lord (See 1 Samuel 1:27-28). And as our text for Sunday begins in chapter 2, Hannah breaks out into a psalm of praise (which is called a "prayer" in 2:1). The prayer of this mother is extraordinary, for is shows a heart of gratitude and trust in the God who rules over all. It shows that Hannah’s hope is in God, even as she is about to leave her son at the tabernacle to serve the Lord all his life. Hannah’s trust and hope in the Lord is the source of her joy and her strength, and this demonstrates that not only was Hannah giving her son to the Lord, but she had also given herself in faith to God. Her hope (and her hopes for her son Samuel) were bound up in the faithfulness and the promises of the sovereign God in whom she trusts. This mother’s prayer shows her joyful hope in the God who is faithful to her and to her child and to the God who is able to guard the feet of his faithful ones (1 Sam. 2:9)

This Sunday we will finish Acts 11 and be introduced to an incredible event in the mission of Acts. Acts 11:19-30 describes the planting of a church in the city of Antioch. The magnitude of this event in the early life of the church cannot be overstated. This is literally a church that will be used by God to change the world. The church in Antioch will be the first congregation composed of both Jews and Gentiles (the majority being Gentiles). What God revealed to Peter about the Gentiles in chapter 10, will come to fruition here in this large pagan city. The church in Antioch will also be the base of operations for the missionary journeys of Paul and Barnabas. God will move mightily through this congregation as the mission of Jesus takes root, grows, and spreads to the whole of the Roman empire.

In Acts 11:19-30, we are shown the DNA of this church. Luke records for us the planting and growth of this church where God is moving and the gospel is flourishing. Here we see a church that God uses to change the world. Sunday we will examine the fingerprints of a church that is used mightily of God and call ourselves to obey the exhortation of Barnabas to the church in Antioch – “he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose” (v.23)

Peter defends his actions as he relates how the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius and his household

Moses is protected by God's hand and raised up to power in Egypt. Yet it is not from there that God will use him as the deliverer. He must be humbled and brought low in the wilderness of Midian before God will use him for God's glory.

This is the gospel sermon that Peter preaches to the household of Cornelius right before the Holy Spirit falls upon them and they are ushered into the family of God. In this sermon, Peter reflects on what God has taught him (that God shows no partiality between peoples and nations) and he explains the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation. I am praying as we gather together to worship our risen Savior that God will move upon hearts in our community just as He did in the household of Cornelius that day.

God is fulfilling his promise to make Israel a great nation, even in the midst of oppression and affliction

This Sunday, as we look at Acts 10:1-33, we see Jesus removing a final barrier for the gospel to expand to the nations. We have already seen Phillip preaching in Samaria and to an Ethiopian Eunuch, but in Acts 10, God brings Peter together with a Gentile Roman soldier. The salvation of this soldier, Cornelius, throws the door open to show the Apostles, and the Jewish church that all people of every nation are equally welcomed into the kingdom of God through the gospel. In this chapter, God prepares Cornelius to understand that he needs the gospel. Cornelius is a devout, prayerful man. He is sincere in his belief and filled with good works. Yet, this cannot make him right with God. An angel of the Lord tells him to send for Peter. He needs the gospel in order to be saved.

And at the same time, God sends a divine message to Peter, showing him that there is no longer a distinction between "clean and unclean" people. Peter’s heart is also prepared to accept that God has opened the door wide for all nations, all races, and all cultures to be accepted by Him through the messiah that he has sent. And through the movements of verse 1-33, we find our calling in this kingdom as well. God spoke to Cornelius through an angel. He could have easily given Cornelius the gospel Himself. Yet, Jesus has chosen to spread the gospel kingdom through his people. Through disciples who make disciples. So, with one hand he prepares Cornelius and with the other hand he prepares Peter. And at the right time, He brings both of these people together so that His disciple shares His message with one who needs it. And as that message is given, Jesus saves him. That is a miracle that is still happening today. Jesus is sending out His people to make disciples for His name. He has a divine meeting planned for you and a divine commission for us all.