Israel: The Kingdom’s 42nd Immortal Generation
Today’s Focus: Spiritual Israel: The First Century Church and Physical Israel
Scripture: Acts 10:11-16; 34,35
Greetings Kingdom Citizens
Much like Jesus, the first century church ran into conflicts with physical Israel as it relates to people being heirs of the promise. So let’s start in a unique place with Peter. We know Peter was the outspoken one of the original disciples. However, Peter had a slight problem and the Lord had to deal with this problem and so the Lord deals with Peter, who is child of Israel by blood, in this manner:
Acts 10:10-16: And he (Peter) became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, and saw Heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. But Peter said, Not so Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hast cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
Now for many people this is the scripture that justifies eating pork and everything else. Wrong interpretation. After the dream God sends three people to Peter to go to get him to come preach the gospel to Cornelius who is a Gentile. Remember Jews considered Gentiles to be UNCLEAN. Upon his meeting with Cornelius Peter spoke these words:
Acts 10:34,35: Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respector of persons: but in EVERY NATION HE THAT FEARETH HIM, AND WORKETH RIGHTEOUSNESS , IS ACCEPTED WITH HIM.
God was showing Peter that the promise of the Holy Spirit was not only for those of physical Israel but also the Gentiles and to sum it up. Here it is:
Acts 10:44,45: While Peter yet spake these words the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word. And THEY OF THE CIRCUMCISION (PHYSICAL CHILDREN OF ISRAEL) WHICH BELIEVED (MESSIANIC JEWS) WERE ASTONISHED, AS MANY AS CAME WITH PETER, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Now listen, there were Spiritual Children of Israel who had accepted the Word of Christ who were also natural children of Israel with Peter to see this powerful revelation. God did not want Peter to be a racist and think only the Holy Spirit was for the Jews but understand that the Lord died and was resurrected for everyone to have the opportunity to be an heir of the promise. It did not matter if you were a Jew or Gentile the promise is to everyone who receives Jesus Christ has the Lord, Messiah and Risen Savior.
In the next message we will look at another situation with the first century church and a confrontation with physical Israel of being the True Israel of God and heir of the promise.
Peace, Love and Grace from the Father,
Calvin Calhoun, Jr.
