This Week: August 31
Beyond Our Assumptions
In Acts 10:1–17, Peter receives a vision of a sheet filled with animals—clean and unclean—and hears a voice saying, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” At the same time, Cornelius, a Roman centurion, is told by an angel to send for Peter.
This moment changes everything. God reveals that the gospel is not just for one group but for all people. Peter’s assumptions are challenged, and the church’s mission expands beyond Israel to the ends of the earth.
This moment changes everything. God reveals that the gospel is not just for one group but for all people. Peter’s assumptions are challenged, and the church’s mission expands beyond Israel to the ends of the earth.
“What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” (Acts 10:15)
We are inheritors of Cornelius’s legacy because someone was willing to step past their assumptions and open the door.
Table of Contents
Key Points:
- God Prepares Both Sides – Cornelius and Peter each receive visions; God is already at work before they meet.
- Assumptions Must Be Challenged – What Peter thought was unclean, God declared clean.
- The Gospel Crosses Boundaries – God’s love is not limited to people who look or live like us.
- We Are Called to Open the Table Wider – Faithfulness means welcoming those God welcomes.
5-Day Devotional
Day 1: God at Work Before Us
Scripture Reference: “He saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, ‘Cornelius.’ He stared at him in terror and said, ‘What is it, Lord?’ The angel answered, ‘Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.’” (Acts 10:3–4)
God was preparing Cornelius before Peter ever arrived. The Spirit is often ahead of us, working in unseen ways.
Action Step: Ask God to open your eyes to where He is already at work around you.
Prayer Prompt: Lord, show me where You are moving so I can join in.
God was preparing Cornelius before Peter ever arrived. The Spirit is often ahead of us, working in unseen ways.
Action Step: Ask God to open your eyes to where He is already at work around you.
Prayer Prompt: Lord, show me where You are moving so I can join in.
Day 2: Redrawing the Lines
Scripture Reference: “The voice said to him again, a second time, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’” (Acts 10:15)
Peter had to let go of lifelong categories about clean and unclean. Sometimes repentance means rethinking.
Action Step: Write down one assumption or prejudice you carry. Cross it out and write: “Beloved by God.”
Prayer Prompt: Jesus, free me from labels that keep me from loving.
Peter had to let go of lifelong categories about clean and unclean. Sometimes repentance means rethinking.
Action Step: Write down one assumption or prejudice you carry. Cross it out and write: “Beloved by God.”
Prayer Prompt: Jesus, free me from labels that keep me from loving.
Day 3: The Gospel for All
Scripture Reference: “Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.’” (Acts 10:34–35)
God’s welcome is wider than our preferences. The Spirit is poured out on all.
Action Step: Share a meal or conversation with someone who is different from you this week.
Prayer Prompt: Lord, help me love as You love—with no partiality.
God’s welcome is wider than our preferences. The Spirit is poured out on all.
Action Step: Share a meal or conversation with someone who is different from you this week.
Prayer Prompt: Lord, help me love as You love—with no partiality.
Day 4: Witness to the Ends of the Earth
Scripture Reference: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
The vision with Cornelius shows the mission expanding beyond Israel. The Spirit empowers us to reach further than we imagined.
Action Step: Identify one person outside your normal circle who needs encouragement. Reach out to them this week.
Prayer Prompt: Holy Spirit, send me beyond my comfort zone with courage and love.
The vision with Cornelius shows the mission expanding beyond Israel. The Spirit empowers us to reach further than we imagined.
Action Step: Identify one person outside your normal circle who needs encouragement. Reach out to them this week.
Prayer Prompt: Holy Spirit, send me beyond my comfort zone with courage and love.
Day 5: Breaking Down Walls
Scripture Reference: “For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.” (Ephesians 2:14)
In Christ, enemies become family and walls become bridges. Peter’s table grew wider—and so must ours.
Action Step: Pray for someone you normally avoid or dismiss. Ask God to soften your heart.
Prayer Prompt: Prince of Peace, break down my walls and make me an instrument of reconciliation.
In Christ, enemies become family and walls become bridges. Peter’s table grew wider—and so must ours.
Action Step: Pray for someone you normally avoid or dismiss. Ask God to soften your heart.
Prayer Prompt: Prince of Peace, break down my walls and make me an instrument of reconciliation.
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