Practical Experience

Acts 11:1-18 

1 The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’

8“I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. 11 “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’ 15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” 18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

Half Full, Half Empty

“What can you see, half-full or half-empty?” a speaker showed half-filled water bottle.

He concluded that optimistic people see half-full while pessimistic see half-empty.

Interestingly, there are pessimistic people who would shout, “It’s half-full.” One reason is, they have already heard or seen that half-empty, half-full illustration. They want to be counted as optimistic but in reality, they are pessimistic.

Listening to information is not enough to transform a pessimistic personality. It takes more of practical experience before one can be transformed from being pessimistic to be optimistic person.

The circumcised believers in Jerusalem heard that Peter’s visited and ate with Gentiles. Many Gentiles were converted but they were not prepared appreciate it. Cultural practices were more important to them than to have Gentiles receiving the gospel. When Peter went to Jerusalem, they criticized and wanted to prove Peter was wrong.

1.  Prove

1 The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

Peter had a wonderful experience sharing the good news to Cornelius and his household. Those circumcised believers who were with him were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out even on Gentiles. It should’ve been a glorious advancement of the church but not all believers rejoiced.

When Peter went to Jerusalem, the circumcised group had a hostile spirit and criticized him. They cannot agree; they cannot tolerate Peter’s action visiting Cornelius, a Gentile. They concluded that Peter, being a church leader should not fellowship with Gentiles.

Culturally, it is not acceptable for a Jew to visit, eat, or fellowship with Gentiles. They found fault with him; they criticized, proved, opposed, and disputed with Peter. Their investigation was bias; they challenged Peter’s action and they wanted to prove him wrong. They consider themselves to have all the rights to judge that Peter made a serious mistake.

Those fault-finder Jewish Christians proved and criticized him but he didn’t make excuses. Instead of justifying his action, Peter told the story of his personal practical experience.

4 Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’

8 “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

“The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.

11 “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’

15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”

Peter did not need to explain; he did not try to convince them to agree with him. He just shared his personal practical experience; he allowed the Holy Spirit to work in them.

Peter was actually culturally anxious about what’s clean or unclean. The Lord told him three times, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ Peter followed the Lord’s instruction and did not worry about cultural consequences.

English Class Teacher

Our church is attracting more and more English speaking people. The English Class needs an additional Sunday School Teacher. Not too many Sunday School Teachers are willing to teach the English class. Was it because of cultural or language barrier that scared them?

Peter was not scared when the Lord instructed him to tell the good news to Cornelius. Peter was also very confident to testify before hostile circumcised believers in Jerusalem. His obedience to testify to different culture and hostile listeners brought praise to God.

2.  Praise

18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

It was not because Peter was an eloquent speaker that they believe in his testimony. It was not because he was one of the original apostles that they were convinced. The hostile believers listened to Peter’s testimony and praised God because God Himself worked in and through them.

Have you experienced a hostile situation before agnostic or pessimistic people? You tried to explain the best way you can but they are decided not to believe you.

When listeners listen to your testimony, it is not because of your eloquence or stage acting. True believers believe you because God regenerated and transformed them.

When doubters doubt, we need to keep praying that God will transform them. Subsequently, obedience and love are a result of the work of the spirit in the believer’s life.

The Tree of Life:

In the movie “The Tree of Life,” the father dictated his son’s words and actions. He wanted his son to appreciate his choice of music. He wanted his son to hug and kiss him before going to bed. He wanted to hear his son saying, “I love you father!”

It is a mixture of joy and pride for fathers to hear their children saying “I love you, father!” Yet to dictate what to do and how to do it may be helpful to a child who is willing to learn. Love, however it is expressed, is not to be forced.

Hugs and kisses are culturally accepted as gesture of love and affection. Yet, God never commanded His children to hug and say ‘I love you’ to their parents.

The Lord Jesus never required his disciples to hug or kiss him as gesture of their love. In John 14:15, the Lord Jesus said, 15“If you love me, you will obey what I command.” Love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit; to love and obey Jesus are also the Spirit’s work.

Personal practical experiences with Jesus display obedience and love for the Lord. Do not be satisfied by claiming or singing, “I love you, Lord!” Pray and ask the Lord to give you the desire to personally experience God practically.

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