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Tag: ethnos

From now on I will go ethnos
ACTS 18 continued..

ἔθνη – ethnos
“Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
ACTS of the Apostles 18:6b ESV – Paul’s curse toward the Jews rejecting the Gospel in Corinth

Paul’s persistence in ACHIA for 18 months

Our 2nd mission to Jews and the ethnos so far..

As we near the end of Paul’s second missionary journey the author of Acts who is also witness to this part of it shows his readers how the ethnos (gentiles) continue to be a challenge to the Jews.

Once again Paul began this second mission from Antioch Syria where the apostles’ depart with an epistle to all the churches from church leaders in Jerusalem.

Previously:

But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
ACTS of the Apostles 15:1 ESV

Even an epistle from Jerusalem from leaders of the church did not solve this issue of the ethnos joining the Jews in worship.

[In Derbe] Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem.
Acts of the Apostles 16:3-4 ESV

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia..
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By the way, as all this has happened Paul writes a letter back to the Galatians addressing some of these same issues of ethnos.
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“This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”

.. they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagog ESVue of the Jews.. he reasoned with them from the Scriptures..

4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks.. 5 But the Jews were jealous..

.. the Jews from Thessalonica.. came [to Berea], agitating and stirring up the crowds. ¹⁴Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there.
excerpts from ACTS 17 ESV

more about the resurrection?

with the Jews of Corinth
- Paul waits in Athens for Silas and Timothy to return by separate sailing from Macedonia.
- 17:34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
- 18 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. ²And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla..
- 18:5 ..Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia..
- (Most Biblical scholars believe that Luke, author of LUKE-ACTS, arrived with them.)
Luke – an ethnos physician from Antioch Syria

Luke was a frequent companion of the Apostle Paul, at least from the time of Paul’s Macedonian vision (Acts 16:9, 10) right up to the time of Paul’s martyrdom (2 Tim. 4:11).
BlueLetterBible.org commentary of John MacArthur

When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.
ACTS of the Apostles 18:5 ESV

6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

We will go to the ethnos!

Some Jews chained to the cultural teachings of first century synagogues believed that having been chosen by God then the ONLY way to please God was to stick together.

AND leaders of synagogues (NOT places of worship, but of teaching) stuck to select old testaments of certain ancient Scriptures.

The Jews had updated their LAW with rules replacing a broken OLD Covenant which God’s chosen had abandoned long-ago.

SO HOW DOES THIS LOOK TO A GENTILE like Luke REDEEMED BY and worshiping Jesus, THE JEWISH MESSIAH?

HOW DID GENTILES (ETHNOS) like LUKE view THE CHRIST (Greek for Messiah) OF THE JEWS?

We CONTINUE with LUKE’s 2nd account from this juncture between the FIRST TWO MISSIONARY JOURNEYS OF PAUL and a THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY with the Apostle’s focus into all the world directly pointed to the ethnos – the gentiles of the Roman Empire even beyond Greece.

From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

⁷And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue.

The Gentiles (ethnos) ἔθνος
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Lexicon :: Strong's G1484 - ethnos

Before we conclude our 2nd Missionary Journey with Paul let's look at what the Apostle's gentile physician meant in his 1st century account of the early church.
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The KJV translates Strong’s G1484 in the following manner: Gentiles (93x), nation (64x), heathen (5x), people (2x).
- a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together
  - a company, troop, swarm
- a multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus
  - the human family
- a tribe, nation, people group
- in the OT, foreign nations not worshipping the true God, pagans, Gentiles
- Paul uses the term for Gentile Christians
LUKE’s NEW TESTAMENT ACCOUNT:
- ethnos – 13x in his Gospel
- Greek ἔθνος (ethnos) – 43x in ACTS of the Apostles
Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation^G1484 under heaven. – ACTS 2:5

And all the circumcised believers who came with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles G1484 also. – ACTS 10:45

Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles G1484. – ACTS 13:46 [from Paul’s 1st missionary journey]

“Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

To be continued…

NEXT: more from Corinth & the conclusion of Paul’s 2nd missionary journey to the ethnos
June 22, 2023
Epistle from the Council of Jerusalem – Acts 15:20
The Council of Jerusalem has come to a decision. They will write an epistle of instruction to the gentile churches.
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Let's focus for a moment on a HOT TOPIC of A.D. 50 on which future missions of the apostles hinged.

(HOW will JEWS worship with other CULTURES?)

Church leaders ANSWERED with an EPISTLE from their Council in Jerusalem. 
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ἐπιστολή – a written message: — epistle, letter

So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:^G1992
Acts of the Apostles 15:30, King James Version

WHAT DO WE DO WHEN AS SOON AS WE MAKE AN IMPORTANT DECISION IMPACTING EVERYONE?

We send out an epistle or letter or message or broadcast.

AND like any council with authority this council of Church leaders in Jerusalem go back to their followers personally as well. These apostles of the gospel will also send their epistle or letter of instruction with other trusted messengers to churches they cannot encourage personally.
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We're getting a little ahead of today's work of the Jerusalem Council, but I thought it important to DEFINE our term and impact of today's meeting of the Apostles in Jerusalem.
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Lexicon :: Strong’s G1992 – epistolē

– From ἐπιστέλλω (G1989) epistellō –

Outline of Biblical Usage
- to send one a message, command
- to write a letter
- to enjoin by letter, to write instructions
Christians familiar with traditional readings of Scripture from the King James Version recognize an introduction like:

“A reading from the Epistle of Paul to the Romans.”
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The cover letter pictured is an actual parchment of Romans 1:1-7
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Acts of the Apostles 15:30 [above] reads ‘epistle‘ in the KJV.

But most Bibles simply translate it ‘letter.’

You may have seen a similar epistle in Acts 9 where Luke records a previous ‘official letter’ also sent with Paul (aka at that time Saul of Tarsus) from Jerusalem.

Damascus Road: Witness into all the World

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
– Acts of the Apostles 9:1-2 ESV

Christians familiar with the epistles or letters of the New Testament (after Acts) see epistles addressed to an individual church, i.e. Corinth, Ephesus, where these letters were also circulated to churches throughout and beyond those regions.

However this important earlier letter from the Council at Jerusalem was sent to as many churches as possible. And the Apostles gathered in Jerusalem specifically address Gentiles as participants and members.

SO It could have, but was not, named:

The Epistle of the Council of Jerusalem,

TO the Church at Antioch Syria (where it is to be sent) OR due to apostles sent out into all the world:

‘TO the churches of the Gentile Nations.’

Leaders of the Christians in Antioch had requested clarification from the Apostles and leaders of the church in Jerusalem. Most Hellenist or Greek church members were Gentiles rather than Jews of the Diaspora.

Acts 15 – Conclusion of Pastor James

Truth for Gentiles who turn to God

Previously, from ACTS 15:6-19

Do not trouble those turning to God

.. we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,
but should write to them
to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.
Acts 15:19b-20 ESV

Don’t cause trouble. Do not annoy. Do not harass.
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You get the idea; this is what Saul of Tarsus had planned to do in Damascus with the authority of the Jewish Council to persecute the converted.
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ἐπιστρέφω – Lexicon :: Strong’s G1994 – epistrephō
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transitively, a. to turn to the worship of the true God, 
b. to cause to return, to bring back; figuratively, to the love and obedience of God ..
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Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God [theos] from among the Gentiles ἔθνος [ethnos].

YES, God chose the Jews

BUT why would we want to keep those Gentiles whom the Lord our God has drawn through Christ?

AND WHY add requirements which would hinder Gentiles from turning to God?

SO James adjudicates the matter also addressing the concerns of the Jews.

EXCEPT these practices of Jewish Law
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Here, James adds a requirement for the Gentiles but it is NOT circumcision.
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- abstain from
  - the things polluted by idols
  - sexual immorality
  - what has been strangled
  - [from] blood
21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

James .. To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings.

A Map [above] shows first century Jewish cities of the Roman Empire to which James refers in an epistle he authored most likely during Paul’s first missionary journey just prior to the Council at Jerusalem.

As you can see, much more communication will be required to cover so many Hellenist cities with Jewish and Christian worshipers.
ἐπιστολή – a written message: — epistle, letter
Acts 15 – Conclusion of Pastor James
Do not trouble those turning to God
EXCEPT these practices of Jewish Law
Scriptural (Old Testament) Reasons for James’ exceptions
Pollutions of idols
Fornication – πορνεία – Lexicon :: Strong’s G4202 – porneia –
Things Strangled – πνικτός pniktós, pnik-tos’
and Blood – αἵματος – αἷμα Lexicon :: Strong’s G129 – haima of man or animals
The Sacrifice of Blood
Leviticus 17: ESV
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Acts 15:20 King James Version — But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
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Scriptural (Old Testament) Reasons for James’ exceptions

Pollutions of idols

– Gen 35:2; Exo 20:3-5,23; Exo 34:15,16; Num 25:2; Psa 106:37-39; Eze 20:30,31;

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: Will you defile yourselves after the manner of your fathers and go whoring after their detestable things? When you present your gifts and offer up your children in fire, you defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. And shall I *be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not *be inquired of by you.
Ezra 20:30-31 KJV – *note: Lexicon :: Strong’s H1875 – dāraš

Fornication – πορνεία – Lexicon :: Strong’s G4202 – porneia –
- illicit sexual intercourse
  - adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.
  - sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18
  - sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk. 10:11-12
- metaph. the worship of idols
  - of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols
The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of *whoredoms and children of *whoredoms: for the land hath committed great *whoredom, departing from the LORD.
Hosea 1:2 KJV note: *Lexicon :: Strong’s H2183 – zᵊnûnîm
from Lexicon :: Strong’s H2181 – zānâ – A primitive root [highly-fed and therefore wanton]

Things Strangled – πνικτός pniktós, pnik-tos’

from G4155; throttled, i.e. (neuter concretely) an animal choked to death (not bled):—strangled.

and Blood – αἵματος – αἷμα Lexicon :: Strong’s G129 – haima of man or animals
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 καὶ τοῦ αἵματος - "from what has been strangled, and from blood." - ESV is best understood in the context of Leviticus, Book of the Priests, which provides some detail about Sacrifices to God, which Christ became by His own Blood, the flesh of our Lord Jesus pierced for our transgressions.
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The Sacrifice of Blood

Leviticus 17: ESV

וַיִּקְרָא (Leviticus) 17 :: Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC)

וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹֽר׃

1. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

10 “If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people.

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls,
for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.
Leviticus 17:11 ESV

12 Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood.

13 “Any one also of the people of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who takes in hunting any beast or bird that may be eaten shall pour out its blood and cover it with earth.

For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, You shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.
Leviticus 17:14 ESV

Letter from the Council

Acts 15:

²²Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas…

To Be Continued…
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.. with the text of their Epistle authorizing apostles for another mission to the Gentiles. 
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January 10, 2023
Friends, Romans, Brothers: Lend me your ears
An angel of the Lord summoned Jews from Joppa and Romans from Caesarea to hear Peter preach the Gospel for all.

Acts 10: of Peter and the Romans in Caesarea
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In case you missed it, Peter's Roman Centurion host has just bowed down to him when the Apostle approached the group of believers at his own home.
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Caesar’s Palace East welcomes PETRUS

When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him.

An angel brought Peter and a group of faithful Jews from Joppa at the invitation of their Roman occupiers. (What an odd scenario, it would seem.)

The Roman Legion of the Italian Cohort, a highly regarded army of Caesar, has invited not only Peter to his home, but also many friends and family. This scene might look somewhat like a large home church and our host, Cornelius, recounts for all as witness what has recently taken place:

So I ask, for what reason did you send for me?”

Cornelius said, “Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining clothing, and he said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your charitable gifts have been remembered before God. Therefore send some men to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner, by the sea.’
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How else would a Roman Legion know where to find a Jew from Galilee traveling in Judea?
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33 So I sent men to you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come.

Now then, we are all here present before God to hear everything that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

Let’s just set this amazing scene in context: A Roman leader of men who God has drawn to the salvation that comes from the Jews invited Simon Peter to preach! WE ARE ALL HERE PRESENT BEFORE GOD… It’s an expression of worship. Tell us what the Lord has commanded you.

Peter’s previous witness of Roman faith

Gospel of Luke 7:

[Jesus in Capernaum] Now a centurion’s slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, asking Him to come and save the life of his slave..

..when He was not yet far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to enter under my roof; for that reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You; but just say the word, and my servant shall be healed.

Simon Peter, a fisherman of Capernaum, certainly would have been with the Lord Jesus. And the humility of this centurion mirrors the faithful believer, Cornelius, who now bows down to Peter and then invites him to preach.
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Do YOU, my fellow 21st century believer, have trouble with Authority such as this? Listen to this and the Lord's response.
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“For I also am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under myself; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”
Gospel of Luke 7:8 NASB20

Now when Jesus heard this, He was amazed at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him,
“I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.”
Gospel of Luke 7:9 – the Messiah Jesus to Jews on the faith of these romans

THE GOD of Every Nation

Acts 10: of Peter preaching to the Romans at Caesarea

³⁴Opening his mouth, Peter said:

“I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.
Acts 10:34-35 – Proclamation of Peter of the Gospel for Gentiles

Two Acceptable Conditions to God

Peter now speaks to ‘every nation’ – ethnos – not just Romans (who now rule the land). AND now certainly (according to Peter), not exclusively Jews.

Jesus also uses this word frequently, sometimes translated, ‘gentiles,’ a very hebrew concept of unclean men separated from those circumcised by blood as holy to the Lord God.
- the man who FEARS HIM [God]
  - φοβέω – phobeō
    Do YOU FEAR GOD, my fellow follower of Christ Jesus?
[Cornelius, a centurion was] a devout man and one who feared^G5399 God with all his household, and made many charitable contributions to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually.
Acts of the Apostles 10:2 NASB20
- and does what is right..
  - ἐργάζομαι – ergazomai
  - δικαιοσύνη – dikaiosynē
    “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness G1343, for they will be satisfied.
    δικαιοσύνη dikaiosýnē, dik-ah-yos-oo’-nay; from G1342; equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification:—righteousness.
θεός

Peter uses a universal word from the greek for God: θεός – theos
- God: θεός – theos is written over 1300 times in the NEW Testament
- All of the Gospel writers use ‘God’ to describe the Lord God to gentiles
  - The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God^G2316 – Mark 1:1
- JESUS uses God: θεός – theos many many times.
  - “The one who believes in the Son has eternal life; but the one who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God^G2316 remains on him.” – John 3:36
- ACTS of the Apostles speaks of God: θεός more than any book of the Bible θεός – theh’-os 168x
  - “It is this Jesus whom God raised up, a fact to which we are all witnesses. – Acts 2:32 – Peter
- The Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) use several words for ‘God,’ this similar to ēl – אֵל
A Gospel History for Roman Brothers and Sisters

36 The word [logos] which He sent [apostellō] to the sons of Israel [Ἰσραήλ “he shall be a prince of God”], preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord [κύριος – From kuros (supremacy)]of all)—
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Peter points out first to these Jewish proselytes that GOD anointed Jesus as Lord of all. 
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you yourselves know the thing that happened throughout Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
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The Apostle Simon Peter then confirms what many have already seen and heard in Jerusalem over these past months.
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“We are witnesses of all the things that He did both in the countryside of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross.
Acts of the Apostles 10:39 NASB20

“God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He [become visible] be revealed, not to all the people, but to witnesses who had been chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.

“And He ordered us to [proclaim] preach to the people, and to testify solemnly that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.
Acts 10:42 NASB20 of the Apostle Peter
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Again, Peter preaches to these Romans who are jewish proselytes with some understanding of Scripture. 
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“All the prophets testify of Him, that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”
Acts 10:43 NASB20

Romans – (gentiles) BAPTIZED! (another sign)

Atti 10:44-48 Il battesimo dei primi pagani (The baptism of the first pagans)

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. All the Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been poured out on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God.
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Sound familiar? 
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Pentecost – a narrative of the fifty days fulfilled

—we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty deeds of God.” – Acts 2:11b

Leadership: Responding to the Spirit of God

Then Peter responded,

47 “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?”

48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

What a few days it must have been in Caesarea.. as Peter led these first Romans from baptism to go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ the risen Lord!
April 27, 2022