Sermon Starters | Lectionary Study | 5.15.19 | Acts 11:1-18

I apologize for not sending this sooner. I was at my seminaries reunion (Princeton Theological Seminary) and I thought this was set to release already. My apologies. 

If this is your first time reading these Sermon Starters, this link may be helpful to orient you.

Biblical: 

What is happening contextually?

In the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) there are 613 laws the Jewish people followed (and many still do today). Here in Acts 11: 1-18, we encounter some of the most well known laws that about what they are allowed (and not allowed) to eat. 

Who are the major players?

Peter - one of the original followers of Jesus had just traveled from Joppa and now finds himself being criticized by fellow believers. 

Apostles and other believers (circumcised) - in verse 1 they decided to pick on Peter regarding  his choice of company that weren’t like them. 

God - gifted of the vision that Peter experiences and the one responsible for Peter’s openness to engage with uncircumcised men. 

Gentiles - though these folks are not named nor do they have a speaking part. In every way those who were not Jewish were at the center of this important controversy. 

Other notes that may be interesting:

Where and when did Peter have this vision? Did he one day ask converts to the Christian faith follow the 613 Jewish laws and the next (after his vision) completely turn his stand around?

Who were these apostles and circumcised believers? In chapter 11, we don’t get to hear their response to Peter. I can’t help but wonder if they would have kept arguing with Peter or simply accepted his words as truth?

Theological

Please consider very carefully how you will approach, study and teach this text. Is the point of the Christian faith for everyone to think, talk and act like us? Where is the slippery slope of theological power that we might interpret and possibly abuse when studying the argument between the unnamed believers and Peter. How does our understanding of God and the precepts we are called to follow mirror or differ from that of the people in verse one or Peter?

What does it mean for us as followers of the way of Jesus? How should we engage our Hebrew Scriptures in relation to the Gospel message? As you ponder these significant and powerful questions (along with any other you have) may you be blessed as you seek truth in your growing faith. 

Relevance

In one of the most recent shootings in the United States, the shooter referenced his admiration of Jesus and Hitler as his inspiration. What kind of a world do we live in where someone would relate both Jesus and Hitler as similar inspirations? I recently heard that theologian Karl Barth once said in a lecture at Princeton University that what he fears is when people co-opt religion for their own purposes. Barth noted how the Nazis co-opted the Christian Faith, and I invite you to reflect on any other ways that the Christian faith is being co-opted for agendas that do not reflect the way of Jesus.

It’s your turn, what are the nuances in this weeks sermon that are grasping your imagination? Please feel free to share in the comments below. 

Peace be with you as you prepare your sermon this week.