Unit 3: Visions of Praise
Good News for All – Bible Background • Printed Text • ACTS 10:34–47 | Devotional Reading • ACTS 15:6–18
AIM FOR CHANGE
By the end of the lesson, we will EXPLORE the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives, VALUE the leadership of Peter in the early church and his relationship with Christ, and SPREAD the Good News that Christ is for all who want to know Him.
IN FOCUS
One evening Aisha and Malik hosted their career adult Bible study group at their house to watch Mel Gibson’s movie The Passion of the Christ. Their son Damon was home from college for the weekend and asked if he could join them with a teammate of his, Kyle, whom Damon had been trying to witness to. Kyle would be the only white guy there, but he liked movies, so it seemed like a good way to spark a spiritual conversation with him. Afterward the group ordered pizza and discussed the movie’s emotional impact.
Kyle had really appreciated the movie’s cinematography, but raised a question about the casting. “I wonder if it would have been as successful if Mel Gibson had portrayed Jesus as a brown-skinned Jewish Israeli instead of a white guy. What do you think?”
Malik chose his words carefully as he answered the question. “No doubt it would have made a difference for Mel Gibson’s bank account. But personally, I have a problem with any portrayal of deity. Scripture states that we are not to create a graven image of God because images can divide and cause confusion. Yet since Jesus is both God and man, portraying Him based on His Jewish, non-White ethnicity is justified.” Aisha nodded and said, “God is no respecter of persons. He knows the differences in gender and race and utilizes those differences to His glory, but He limits no one because of it! If we dwell on things like the skin color of Jesus, it limits the message of Christ.”
Are you constrained by culture or can you witness to someone regardless of race or ethnicity?
KJV Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?