Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

Open and Closed—two antonyms that represent vastly different concepts. These words can describe a door, a restaurant, a cookie jar, or countless other things. But they can also refer to our mindset. In today’s culture, it feels like everyone is pushed into one camp or the other on every topic. Yet, in Acts 11, we see a similar issue from 2,000 years ago. But this wasn’t about political parties, economic strategies, or whether the SEC is still the best football conference. No, this was about whether the Gentiles had a place with Jesus.

At the time, the Jews were strict followers of the law, and the law stated that Gentiles were unclean and unworthy. A good rule follower would not even associate with them. The division was intense. So, when Peter began preaching to the Gentiles, visiting them, and even baptizing them, he opened a cultural can of worms. It became even more divisive than a Mississippi State fan inviting an Ole Miss fan to their tailgate and into their club-level seats. People were talking.

Peter then recounts a dream he had, where “unclean” animals walked by, and the Lord told him, “Kill and eat.” This was a huge cultural taboo, but God responded, “What God has made clean, you must not call impure.” I can relate to Peter here. His entire religious history was being flipped upside down. The laws he had been taught growing up weren’t from God—they were just religious rules.

It’s hard for us to fully understand how earth-shattering this must have been for Peter and his community. They were being called to love—openly and unconditionally—and, more importantly, to love like Jesus. Their religion, race, and status didn’t matter. Jesus loved them equally, and He calls us to do the same.
In verse 16, Peter recalls, “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” The old is gone, and the new has come. The old laws didn’t matter, but the love of Christ did.

Perhaps one of the most powerful verses comes at the end of verse 18: “So then, God has given repentance resulting in life even to the Gentiles.” Even to the Gentiles. What a hopeful statement! No matter your history, your status, or your past, repentance is available—even to you.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.