Bookmark Daily Bible Reading Calendar By: Ehimwenma E. Aimiuwu – Please LIKE us on Facebook
Acts 9:
Saul went to the high priest to give him a letter that would authorize him to arrest followers of Jesus in any synagogue in Damascus. As he approached Damascus, Jesus revealed himself to Saul in a bright light and asked Saul why he was persecuting him (Jesus). Saul called Jesus, ” Lord” for the first time and Jesus instructed him to enter the city and wait for more instructions. The people with Saul were shocked at what they heard, but saw nothing. Saul was blinded for three days and was led into Damascus by hand. Jesus then sent Ananias in a vision to go open Saul’s eyes because Jesus was going to use him to suffer for his name (Jesus) and as a chosen instrument to the Gentiles and Jews. Ananias went to Saul, prayed, and Saul’s eyes opened. Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit, was baptized, and began to declare Jesus as son of God to the amazement of the Jews. The Jews tried to kill Saul for following Jesus, but the apostles accepted as a brother when he returned to Jerusalem. Peter then healed a paralytic in Lydda, and raised the dead in Joppa. These miracles and faith in Jesus earned Jesus more followers.
Acts 10:
Cornelius was a Roman centurion (in charge of 100 men) who prayed diligently to God, gave the poor generously, and feared God. An angel of God appeared to him in a vision one mid-afternoon saying that his prayers and offering to the poor has been recognized by God. The angel also instructed him to bring Peter to his house in Caesarea from Joppa. At about noon the next day, Peter had a vision while praying on his roof and waiting for lunch. Then a sheet came down from heaven with all kinds of animals and a voice told Peter to kill and eat thrice. Peter refused the offer each time because it included some forbidden animals for food, but the voice always replied that Peter should not call anything God has made clean impure. Just then, Cornelius men arrived to invite Peter to come with them. The Spirit told Peter about them and requested that he follows them immediately. The following day, Peter and some men went with them and they got to Caesarea the following day. Cornelius’ house (a Roman – Italian) was filled with relatives and close friends. Peter then understood his vision about not calling what God has purified unclean because Jews were not supposed to associate or visit with Gentiles according to Jewish custom. Peter soon realized that God shows no favoritism for any people and the Jewish culture of supremacy was wrong and ungodly. Peter soon bore witness to the teaching of John the Baptist, teachings and healings of Jesus, Jesus’ death and resurrection, Jesus as judge of the living and the dead, and the testimony from the prophets that all who believed in Jesus shall receive the grace and reward of forgiveness of sins. Soon, all the Gentiles in the house received the Holy Spirit just as Peter the Jew. They began to speak in tongues, praise God, and were baptized. So going Good, knowing God, and praying to God is not enough to be saved. You must accepted Jesus as the son of God.
Act 11:
When Peter returned to Jerusalem, the Jewish Christians who heard that the Gentiles were receiving the Holy Spirit accused Peter of mingling with the forbidden Gentiles. Peter then explained how God told him in a vision not to call any people unclean. The Jewish Christians soon accepted Peter’s explanation because no one can oppose God. While Judaism promotes exclusion of peoples (non-Jews), Christianity includes all people under God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
