The Acts of the Apostles 11:1-30
11:1-2 Before we begin these verses, we need to acknowledge the sometimes-unfortunate nature of humans. Humans can be hypocritical, arrogant, contradictory and judgmental. If this comes as a surprise to you, welcome to your first nano-seconds on Earth!
These were not bad people, necessarily, but they were flawed. Which of us doesn't fit into that category? The helpful news is, God is generous in remaining with us and providing endless instruction on how we can improve ourselves. Although these had accepted God and believed in His compassionate message, they did not yet apply it: compassion, comprehensively to their lives. They needed to be pulled out of their prejudgment in order to realize that all humans belonged to and deserved God, regardless of their cultural characteristics.
It's stunning how relevant this lesson still is, has probably increased in relevance, if anything. In this now globalized-world, cultures interact on every level, every day. It's crucial now more than ever that we accept and understand each other as the equals we are. There is a reason why "different" and "wrong" are two different words; they do not mean the same thing. Yet so many associate difference of thought and action as inherently wrong.
Humanity is a family, a family full of individuals who take their own individual paths toward the same destination. Diversity is unique and inspiring, allows for and contributes to the evolution of combined-thought and idea.
Peter receives criticism for associating with a certain group; do not let arrogance or close-mindedness disallow you from fully interpreting and expressing the impartial compassion that God gives.
11:3 Peter explains to them from the beginning, thereby highlighting the importance of communication. In any confrontation, your best weapon is the ability to dismantle the tension with logic, rather than react to the tension with frustration or anger.
11:4-10 Peter recounts the entire vision to them; he gives them all of the information he was given in order that they might learn the same lesson, in the same manner he was taught. God's method of teaching is effective, we can use it and apply it to our lives and our situations.
Recall that Peter was taught that what and who ever God welcomes as good and worthy is good and worthy. Gently but firmly, God explains (in metaphor) to Peter (and us) that we do not have the right or the authority to debase any group of people.
11:11-14 Continuing in delivering the complete story, Peter informs them of how he and Cornelius were led to meet each other. Peter was led into Cornelius' region; God wanted him to give and spread His message to everyone and it was time that Peter reached out of his comfort zone in order to do so. For a full study, refer to the previous study: The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 10.
11:15-17 Indeed God does give His whole self to all of His children. It is His right and His authority to determine that all people are equally deserving of all of His gifts. Although our worldview includes much diversity of culture, God's universal, spiritual view sees beyond that superficiality. We are much more than out exteriors and our souls are siblings.
11:18 Though they had previously responded negatively, this crowd received redemption when they expanded the bounds of their compassion. We are all flawed, but when are presented with truth and justice, we must allow it to penetrate and disintegrate the falsity and injustice we previously fostered.
11:19-20 We get an update on the disciples who dispersed after Stephen's earthly death, The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 7. They are also beginning to branch out into different regions.
11:21 The hand of the Lord, the guidance of our God, is always with those who are journeying toward a compassionate destination for a compassionate purpose. Without prejudice, these apostles were teaching, guiding, healing, comforting all people. They journeyed toward unfamiliar places and made strangers into family. God ensures that journeys such as these are successful.
11:22-24 With purpose of heart... continue with the Lord. Well, if that is not concise and motivational life advice, I do not know what is. The apostles continued to be inspired by God, by the work they were doing and also by the compassionate work their fellow human-beings were doing. Draw your strength and purpose from God and supplement it with the kindness and generosity of others. Realize the great fortune of sharing a planet which houses some really incredible souls.
Purpose of Heart: be purposeful. You are an instrument, a vessel through which so much good can come into the world.
11:25-26 As the philosophy of God extended and was absorbed more and more broadly, it established itself as "Christianity" among humanity. Since, the word is an umbrella, under which exists endless different variations and interpretations. It's essential that we remember this philosophy of God not by the word or by historically-altered or modern interpretations but by it's core message, taught by Jesus: compassion, justice, truth, forgiveness, patience, acceptance, duty to our fellow humans to be kind.
Because I study the Bible, I am readily thought of as a Christian. Yet with that word come many connotations which do not apply to me. I rarely use the word for this reason. I am a spiritual pantheist, believing that our God supersedes the characteristics humans have ascribed to our divine creator. Moreover, many misinterpretations and also purposefully altered interpretations have dirtied the name and I shutter at the thought of being grouped with them. The reason why I, somewhat, digress is because it is so important that we keep the original message which is untainted by the passage of time, motive or prejudice.
11:27-28 God showed Agabus of a great famine. Amos 8:11 teaches us that famine in scripture is a metaphor not for a lack of food, but a lack of God's word in the world among humanity.
11:29-30 Informed of the need, the apostles assemble and distribute themselves throughout the world in order to feed, sustain and nourish people with God's perfect sustenance of our souls. According to our own abilities, we must disseminate and feed the world with what we have to give.
Such a powerfully beautiful verse: the apostles mobilize, a spiritual army of God. Put your armor on, stand at attention, we are in the midst of a battle: the defense of maintaining compassion in the world.
