by Pastor Rich Carlson

Peter’s vision of the animals on the sheet (see previous "God is Faithful" devotional) gave way to the lesson that everyone deserves a chance to hear the gospel of salvation. Chapter 11 begins with believers doubting the authenticity of Peter’s Gentile converts, but by the end of Peter’s story, the group "had no further objections, and praised God."

I tried to imagine what it must have been like in Peter’s day to deal with theological debates and controversy. A lot of Peter’s mission work involved such controversies of the day. One debate was over the question of whether the message of salvation was to be for all people. Until Peter’s experience with Cornelius, many Jewish Christians, probably including Peter, did not believe that was the case.

Even in the Old Testament, the children of Israel had received special blessings from God in order for them to pass on their blessings to the rest of the world. But they misinterpreted their role. The Jews of Jesus’ day missed it, and I ask myself today: Am I missing something too? I hope not.

Peter’s answer to the believers in this story helped me refocus on two things. When dealing with challenges in the church among fellow believers:
1.    Remember how God has led in the past.
2.    Remember something important that he said: "John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 11:16).

I need to remember how God has led in the past, and to remember what He has said.  If I remember those two things, I just may discover a new application or a healthy diversion from tradition. Though Christ’s message does not change, His methods might (I believe they probably will change).

Though the absoluteness of His truth is unalterable, His application doesn’t have to be. When I remember, I can be reassured of God’s commitment, along with His faithfulness to flexibility! Not in truth, but in the transmission of truth to each new generation.

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. "God is Faithful" is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.