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Scripture
He that beleiveth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that beleiveth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36 KJV.)
Devotional
Our fourth mediation centers again on the thought of the Christian faith as a message for all peoples. We have looked at the first preaching of the gospel to non- Jews. Our Scripture basis has been Acts chapter 10. Here we have the account of the conversion of a Roman Centurion named Cornelius. This marked a new day for the Church of Christ. The good news of the Savior was now being shared with people of other cultures and beliefs. The character of the church would never be the same again. Now Christian assemblies or churches would spring up everywhere. No longer would there be barriers to the gospel - barriers of race, religion or culture. Christ would be freely offered to everyone.
What happens when you bring the gospel to another culture? Some of the Jewish Christians of the first century thought that Gentiles had to renounce their culture and embrace the culture and Hebrew rules in order to be real Christians. They felt Gentiles should be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. Gentiles must become good Jews. The Gospel however does not call upon people to change their language or their culture in order to be true believers in Christ. The only thing Gentiles had to forsake was sin.
It was the inclusion of the gentiles within the church that gave rise to the first Christian Council. It was called to deal with the question of these new gentile believers. Did they have to be circumcised and follow the rituals and traditions of Moses? The debate and ultimate decision of that Council forever stamped upon the church its true Christlike character. People were not received into the church on the basis of obedience to certain customs and rituals. The decision was that the gentiles had been purified by faith. They had become followers of Christ in the same way the early Jewish Christians had. They had been saved by faith. They believed in their hearts in the person of Jesus Christ. They believed he had died and rose from the dead. God had granted the gentiles repentance unto life because they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Scriptures teach that God is no respecter of persons. His love is extended to every nation. It is wonderful to read in the book of Revelation of a great company of people worshiping God. They are described as people from every race, tribe and tongue. The gospel was and is intended for every individual. The church’s mandate is to bring the gospel of redeeming grace to all. It does not matter what the background is. We may be rich or poor. We may be learned or unschooled. We may be of different languages. The color of our skin may vary. Yet, the living God is rich in grace and love towards all who call on him.
This is the story of the conversion of that Roman soldier, Cornelius. It announced that Christ died for every person. It proclaimed that all barriers to God’s love have be torn down. John the beloved disciple summed it up in these words: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through him.”
Christianity is a world faith. But friend, let’s not allow this concept to blur the truth that the gospel is for the individual. The faith of Christ is a personal matter. God’s love comes to you and to me. We are each asked to respond individually to the claims of Christ upon our lives. I trust that we will respond with faith and commitment to the one who loved us & gave himself for us.
Prayer
Father I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ your son and, our Saviour. I thank you that He Gave His life for me. Today I ask you to forgive my sins . I surrender my life to Him and dedicate myself to do your will. Amen
Meet the Author
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Rev. Ronald Osmond is a pastor with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Nfld. Some of the places he pastored are Corner Brook and St John's, Newfoundland as well as Vancover, British Columbia. He is a pastor and teacher as well as a radio speaker. Ronald and his wife Betty have five children all of whom are ministering with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada and the Assemblies of God,U.S.A. They are now retired and live in St.John's, NL. They may be reached at Ronosmond@aol.com |
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