I received some welcomed feedback recently from a reader of this blog.. And of course with thier permission I wanted to share ...... here it is
Good Afternoon Ormond- I read your bible study. I have a minor correction if you don’t mind. I believe the scripture you made reference to about respecter of persons Acts 10:34, was taken a little of out context. As a matter of fact the church has taken this “respecter of persons” concept out of context entirely. When I read the whole chapter, what I got of it is “that respecter of persons statement” does not mean that God accepts everyone.
Actually it has nothing to do with general acceptance or choice. Acts 10:34 “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons (doesn’t show favoritism or has high regards for stature, status quo). This is even substantiated with verse 35:
“But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” The whole chapter of Acts 10 basically deals with the fact that God’s Holy Spirit is going to be poured out on those of different races, regions, etc. who have been cleansed.
God tried to reveal this to Peter in a vision but he doubted as to its meaning. Thus God sent him to the house of a man named Cornelius who was a centurion of a band called the “Italian” band (we are assuming a Non-Jew), a devout man and one that feared God with all his house and prayed to God always. When Paul and certain brethren he brought along got to the man’s house Paul opened up by saying
Acts 10:28 “ Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. “While Paul was ministering to Cornelius and those in his house, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
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. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.” (Acts 10:44-46)
My response to these comments are as follows:
Thank you and I do agree completely. If you got the wrong impression from what was written here then more people did. I will have to reread my post and make corrections. If it is ok with you I may want to post your email without your personal 411 of course
