Peter and the Gentiles

Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call (Acts 2:38-39, NKJV).

(Overview and commentary on: Peter and the Gentiles - Lesson 9)

Karakia Timatanga | Opening Prayer

He hōnore, he korōria ki te atua

All honour and glory to our maker

He maungārongo ki te whenua

Let there be peace and tranquillity on earth

He whakaaro pai ki ngā tangata katoa

Goodwill to mankind

Āmine.                                  

Amen

Saturday | Sabbath | Hātarei

We are in the category of “all who are afar off” – on the very edges of hope. We are afar off on three counts: we are removed in time by almost two millennia, we are just over 16,000 km away from where these events took place and we are barely conceptualised in Peter’s mind. However, we are all in the category “as many as the Lord our God will call”. I say we are all in this category, and also on the very edges of hope because Peter (2 Pe 3:9) explains that everyone is called to repentance and that the time lag to His appearance is in fact evidence of His patience. We are also on the very edges of hope because there is a general concern that the condition of our planet is deteriorating (http://www.clubofrome.org) and in the mean-time, as far as God is concerned there is also a corresponding decline in faith (Lk 18:8) and love (Mt 24:12). The time lag from the human perspective (2 Pe 3:4) is daunting because our lives are so short and our need for God’s restored heaven and earth so great. From the perspective of one who is eternal, four thousand years or so, to the incarnation of Jesus was as nothing.

Sunday | Rātapu

Peter at Pentecost

Schantz and Thompson (2015) give a good overview of Peter’s role at Pentecost. This event was perhaps one of the most significant events in Peter’s life and in the history of the church. How did it come about? It came about because Peter was reinstated by Christ and this reinstatement was recognised by his fellow apostles. I suppose today (slightly facetiously), Peter’s role in the church might be akin to a repentant telly evangelist of which there seem to be all too many. A key difference between Peter and the modern equivalents is that we can be assured that Peter was genuine because of his direct endorsement by Christ. Sometimes doing the wrong stuff does not prevent us from taking leadership roles and at other times it can. The question for the church is how can we know the difference?

Monday | Rāhina

The Conversion of Cornelius: Part 1

This passage describes a godly man who lives in accordance with what he understands. Cornelius is prayerful and demonstrates mercy and kindness to those less fortunate than himself. This story is indeed key to the gospel being taken to the gentiles. Interestingly enough many of the Gentiles we meet in the gospels and the book of Acts are outstanding in their faith and attitude towards their fellow man.

The gospel, being taken to the gentiles is a divine act. It required direct intervention by God because the barriers between Jews and Gentiles were so great. Two verses that are very instructive in this passage are Acts 10:34-35:

Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.

As Shantz and Thompson (2015) point out this man has a lot to learn with regard to Christian doctrine and practise. More importantly God accepts this man as being on an equal footing to someone who “knows the truth” on two counts: first he fears God (respects God, worships God, prioritises Him) and second he does what is right. On these two counts many of us would fall short. What flows from this, is that as Adventists we must not assume any privilege, sense of entitlement, or claim above any other Christian (or monotheist) on the basis of what we believe, because God in the first instance, looks at only two fundamentals. Perhaps this idea can be taken further also towards those who are also ignorant of belief. This is a little bit more tenuous but God, thank goodness is judge, and that He does under certain circumstances overlook things (Ac 17:30)

Tuesday | Rātū

The Conversion of Cornelius: Part 2

As an aside the lesson brings up the point (Schantz & Thompson, 2015) that the angel did not bring the gospel to Cornelius. The angel could have but didn’t. Why not? Probably for the same reason that God sent Jesus into the world i.e., only humanity can carry out this task. In the world of men God intervenes supernaturally only as a matter of last resort. When something has been revealed there is a responsibility placed on the person to whom it has been revealed to act (Dt. 29:29). In carrying out the tasks assigned by God, in this case the presentation of the gospel to Cornelius the Gentile, God is not only liberating Gentiles, He is also liberating the Jews. The blessing of passing on the message of salvation is as much benefit to the person giving it as receiving it. It is a reminder of our own need and God’s graciousness to us also.

Wednesday  | Rāapa

Peter’s Vision

Schantz and Thompson (2015) cover this section in accordance with the context of the passage and I think rightfully ignore the controversial aspect of the vision. In my view they have interpreted the meaning of this passage correctly. God in giving Peter this vision of unclean animals is presenting Peter with a concept that he finds religiously and culturally abhorrent. The lesson that the Lord is trying to teach the early (and later) Christians is that people from other cultures are God’s children also. Visiting a Gentile was as abhorrent to Peter and his fellow Jews as was eating unclean foods.

Perhaps I am not as circumspect as Schantz and Thompson (2015) because I intend to briefly attend to the elephant in the room regarding unclean food. Along with Jews, Moslems and a few other small, non-conformist Christian groups (e.g. British Israelites, United Church of God), Adventists as a whole do not eat unclean food. The primary argument against eating such food has been along the lines that: the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and that this food is unhealthy; therefore I will not eat it because of its unhealthy effect on my body. This is a legitimate argument, but in practise, we, very often, won’t eat this food but will eat cake, chocolate, puddings etc. which may have a similar effect on the body, or perhaps not engage in exercise. Another argument is that the eating of such food was forbidden because it was part of a holiness code. We are not to eat such food because God wants us to be undefiled and holy. In this argument there is still an emphasis on the body as being sacred to God but the reason for abstention is not health but holiness.

In this post I don’t want to spend any more time reflecting on this but I do wish to draw attention to the misuse of this passage. Some Christians, perhaps unwittingly, take this passage out of context and try and debunk the view that Christians should abstain from eating such foods. This is not the passage to argue from. Peter clearly states the reason and interpretation of the dream and it has nothing to do with whether a Christian should or shouldn’t eat unclean food. The passage is about the breaking down of cultural barriers associated with race.

The question that Schantz and Thompson (2015) ask at the end of this section is worth more consideration.

How do we show respect for people whose faith we believe is wrong without giving the impression that we respect those beliefs ourselves? What is the difference between respecting people as opposed to respecting their beliefs?

Personally, I think we need to be very careful in this area of respect. People are deeply connected to their systems of belief and it is often a part of their identity as people. All too often I have seen Christians attempt to debunk the beliefs of others with little consideration of the impact on the person. In doing this the Christian, alienates the non-believer and comes out of the process looking very smug and arrogant. This can happen with many issues but it can at times become particularly sharp over an issue such as evolution. At the very least Christians must refrain from making personal attacks. We all for a multitude of reasons, hold a variety of fallacious views, about the world and our place in it.

Paul, the most successful early missionary, shockingly abandoned some Jewish beliefs in order to build bridges with other cultures. Also in his address in Athens he focussed his initial arguments from what was believed in common. His final approach however, did not centre at all in debunking the beliefs or arguments of others – it rested on the primacy and universal appeal of Christ’s death for us all.

Thursday | Rāpare

The Jerusalem Decree

1 Co 7:19 probably says it all:

Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts. 

This statement by Paul boils down the arguments to there essential components for Jews and Gentiles. There are some things that don't matter but obeying God does. Gentiles, if you are going to follow Christ you must do this.

Considerations for practise

These two lists are from the United Church of God based on Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. 

What do you think of their interpretation of clean and unclean food?

Unclean Animals

1. Swine: Boar, Peccary, Pig (hog, bacon, ham, lard, pork, most sausage and pepperoni)

2. Canines: Coyote, Dog, Fox, Hyena, Jackal, Wolf

3. Felines: Cat, Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Panther, Tiger

4. Equines: Donkey (ass), Horse, Mule, Onager, Zebra (quagga)

5. Other Animals: Armadillo, Badger, Bat, Bear, Beaver, Camel, Elephant, Gorilla Groundhog, Hippopotamus, Kangaroo, Llama (alpaca, vicuña), Mole, Monkey, Mouse, Muskrat, Opossum, Porcupine, Rabbit (hare), Raccoon, Rat, Rhinoceros, Skunk, Slug, Snail (escargot), Squirrel, Wallaby, Weasel, Wolverine, Worm, All insects except some in the locust family

6. Marine Animals Without Fins and Scales: Bullhead, Catfish, Eel, European Turbot, Marlin, Paddlefish, Shark, Stickleback, Squid, Sturgeon (includes most caviar), Swordfish

7. Shellfish: Abalone (NZ paua), Clam, Conch, Crab, Crayfish (crawfish, crawdad), Lobster, Mussel, Oyster, Scallop, Shrimp (prawn)

8. Soft body: Cuttlefish, Jellyfish, Limpet, Octopus, Squid (calamari)

9. Sea mammals: Dolphin, Otter, Porpoise, Seal, Walrus, Whale

10. Birds of Prey, Scavengers and Others: Albatross, Bittern, Buzzard, Condor, Coot, Cormorant, Crane, Crow, Cuckoo, Eagle, Flamingo Grebe, Grosbeak, Gull, Hawk, Heron, Kite, Lapwing, Loon, Magpie, Osprey, Ostrich, Owl, Parrot, Pelican, Penguin, Plover, Rail, Raven, Roadrunner, Sandpiper, Seagull, Stork, Swallow, Swift, Vulture, Water hen, Woodpecker

11. Reptiles: Alligator, Caiman, Crocodile, Lizard, Snake, Turtle

12. Amphibians: Blindworm, Frog, Newt, Salamander, Toad

Clean Animals

1. Mammals That Chew the Cud and Part the Hoof: Antelope, Bison (buffalo), Caribou, Cattle (beef, veal), Deer (venison), Elk, Gazelle, Giraffe, Goat, Hart, Ibex, Moose, Ox, Reindeer, Sheep (lamb, mutton)

2. Fish With Fins and Scales: Anchovy, Barracuda, Bass, Black pomfret (or monchong), Bluefish, Bluegill, Carp, Cod, Crappie, Drum, Flounder, Grouper, Grunt, Haddock, Hake, Halibut, Hardhead, Herring (or alewife), Kingfish, Mackerel (or corbia), Mahimahi (or dorado, dolphinfish [not to be confused with the mammal dolphin]), Minnow, Mullet, Perch (or bream), Pike (or pickerel or jack), Pollack (or pollock or Boston bluefish), Rockfish, Salmon, Sardine (or pilchard), Shad, Silver hake (or whiting), Smelt (or frost fish or ice fish), Snapper (or ebu, jobfish, lehi, onaga, opakapaka or uku), Sole, Steelhead, Sucker, Sunfish, Tarpon, Trout (or weakfish), Tuna (or ahi, aku, albacore, bonito, or tombo), Turbot (except European turbot), Whitefish

3. Birds With Clean Characteristics: Chicken, Dove, Duck, Goose, Grouse, Guinea fowl, Partridge, Peafowl, Pheasant, Pigeon, Prairie chicken, Ptarmigan, Quail, Sagehen, Sparrow (and other songbirds), Swan*, Teal, Turkey

* In the King James Version, Leviticus 11:18 and Deuteronomy 14:16list “swan” among unclean birds. However, this seems to be a mistranslation. The original word apparently refers to a kind of owl and is so translated in most modern Bible versions.

4. Insects: Types of locusts that may include crickets and grasshoppers

Closing Prayer - Karakia Whakamutunga

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Kia tau ki a tātou katoa te atawhai o tō tātou Ariki, a Ihu Karaiti me te aroha o te Atua, me te whiwhingatahitanga ki te wairua tapu, ake, ake, ake, āmine.


References

Schantz, B. & Thompson, S. (2015). Biblical Missionaries. Adult Sabbath School Quarterly 3Q. 2015. Silver Spring: MD: Pacific Press.

The club of Rome. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.clubofrome.org/

United Church of God. (2013, August). Which animals does the Bible designate as 'Clean' and 'Unclean'? In  Beyond Today. Retrieved from: http://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/what-does-the-bible-teach-about-clean-and-unclean-meats/which-animals

Jesus: The Master of Missions

Again Jesus said, Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you (Jn 20:21).

(Overview and commentary on: Jesus, the master of missions, Lesson 7)

Karakia Timatanga | Opening Prayer

He hōnore, he korōria ki te atua

All honour and glory to our maker

He maungārongo ki te whenua

Let there be peace and tranquillity on earth

He whakaaro pai ki ngā tangata katoa

Goodwill to mankind

Āmine.                                  

Amen

Saturday | Sabbath | Hātarei

On reading the introduction to this week I couldn’t help but think that the work of the trinity in saving mankind is well summed up in the Apostle’s creed of which there are a number of variations. The expressions in this creed encapsulate the faith and hope of all who call themselves Christians.

The Apostles' Creed

Modern English Version (From the Book of Common Prayer)

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.

Sunday | Rātapu the Old Testament

Jesus in the Old Testament

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began (2 Tim. 1:8-9).

Before time began … before humanity, before creation, before the universe. That God knew what to do before time began is beyond understanding. Sometimes in the midst of difficulties it is hard to fathom why He pursued creation at such cost, to us and Himself. 

Schantz and Thompson (2015) rightly point out that there is ultimately no hope in the world. Our lives have a short and definite time span. How we spend our lives as Christians is determined by the understanding of a missionary God who offers us hope for life beyond the present. The Christian’s response to God is one of service to humanity because there is a future hope. The unbeliever who focuses on happiness and pleasure is also responding to their view of the world in a way that makes sense of their understanding. Therefore let us be humble and gracious to those who have a perspective different from our own. Christians who mock or belittle the views of others, however mistaken we think they might be, are diminishing their own calling to service. Let our attitude be the same as Jesus (Php 2:5). 

Monday | Rāhina

The Desire of Ages

The ‘Desire of Ages’ is an Adventist cliché, after the book. Humans do desire leadership. This is evident throughout history and the more notable leaders also portray heroic or salvific traits which endear them to their people. The Jews looked for a religious leader called the Messiah and to their minds he would rescue them militarily and politically as all their other heroes did i.e. Samson, David etc. Moses who was such a figure prophesied of a future Messiah Dt 18:15 and in Jn 4:25-26 the language of Jesus parallels the claim to fulfilment of this prophecy.

Religious, military, political (Messiah) figures are often followed by fanatics who are quite willing to die for the cause. This can be scary to others and results in further conflict. The difference in claim of Jesus from other Messiah’s is His universal claim on behalf of the world’s inhabitants (Lk 2:10-14; Lk 2:25-33; Lk 3:3-6; Jn 1:29). As a universal Messiah he is not looking to promote the interests of one particular group over another; he is looking to save us all. The deliverance is not a political one; the liberation is one from sin (Lk 19:10). This salvation will indeed effect what happens in the world today but the outcomes it brings are beneficial and do not promote violence. Matthew Henry’s commentary of Genesis 4:1 suggests that Eve may have thought that with Cain she had given birth to the one who would save them.

Tuesday | Rātū

Mission to the Jews

The same concepts that we find in Mt 10:5-6 are also found in Paul’s writing where he says (Rom 1:16-17):

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,[a] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.

Where a church is strong and healthy mission to people who do not believe is essential.

Wednesday  | Rāapa

Mission to the Gentiles

Luke14:16–24 describes a great banquet in which many of the guests refuse the invitation on various grounds. Jesus describes them as excuses – they are not genuine reasons because the King then goes invites people who really could give excuses. He invites the poor, the blind, the crippled and the lame. The poor could say – “I can not come – I can afford no gift”; The blind could say – “I can not come – I can not see the way”; The crippled and lame could say – “I can not come – I am unable to walk.” Those first invites are to His people the Jews; they are privileged and yet do not know it. Today in an ironic reversal this is the position of the church (Rev 3:17).

Who then can go in? Invitation is not based on your race but on certain conditions. Are you poor (in spirit)? Do you mourn (over your brokenness)? Are you humble (not considering yourself of great importance)? Are you hungry and thirsty (for righteousness)? Would you invite others if you could? Do you ask for purity (so that you can see)? Are you a social outcast (for the sake of the Gospel)?

The miracles Jesus performed were illustrations of the gospel invitation. We actually only get into the feast by belonging to the second category of invitations. God is ‘angry’ with the first group of people because He has put on a great feast and it has cost Him a lot, and these people don’t give a toss. The second group of people need a feast; they shouldn’t really be going because they are not worthy but … Praise be to God He is going to get them there because nothing is too hard for Him.

Thursday | Rāpare

The Great Commission

In Revelation 14:6  we see the Gospel, the eternal Gospel still being proclaimed. It is a continuation of the message we find in the New Testament. John confirms to us that it will go to all people. The angel is visible to all who look up.

Friday | Rāmere

Schantz and Thomspon (2015) ask the following question in Friday's section:

Despite the clear teaching on not setting dates for Christ’s return, hardly a year goes by before we hear something in the news about some group of Christians setting a date for Christ’s return. Why do you think people insist on doing this, other than as a good fund-raising technique? (After all, if Jesus is coming on June 19 of next year [or fill in any date you want], then what good is your money now?) Why is it bad for the Christian witness in the world when these dates, year after year, are shown to be false?

It's important for Adventists not to get caught in this theological error. More than a hundred and sixty years on we are still getting lambasted for the error of our theological ancestors the Millerites (Mohler, 2011).

Considerations for practise

1. How do you practice the grace of God in Christ Jesus?

2. What do you do about witnessing and or bringing people to church when your local congregation is not functional?

3. Have you received your invitation banquet and if so what category of sinner are you going as - poor, blind, lame crippled?

4. Apart from John the Beloved everyone of Jesus disciples died in martyrdom carrying out the Great Commission. Why do you think this was? What does this mean for us today? 

Closing Prayer - Karakia Whakamutunga

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Kia tau ki a tātou katoa te atawhai o tō tātou Ariki, a Ihu Karaiti me te aroha o te Atua, me te whiwhingatahitanga ki te wairua tapu, ake, ake, ake, āmine.


References

Apostles' Creed. (n.d.). In Wikipedia.  Retrieved August 7, 2015, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostles%27_Creed

Henry, M. (n.d.) Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary - Genesis 4 Bible Commentary. In Christ Notes. Retrieved August 7, 2015, from http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=1&c=4

Schantz, B. & Thompson, S. (2015). Biblical Missionaries. Adult Sabbath School Quarterly 3Q. 2015. Silver Spring: MD: Pacific Press.

Mohler, A. (2011). The end is near: the false teaching of Harold Camping. AlbertMohler.com. Retrieved from
http://www.albertmohler.com/2011/05/16/the-end-is-near-the-false-teaching-of-harold-camping/

The Apostles' Creed (n.d.). Retrieved August 7, 2015, from 

http://christianity.about.com/od/christiandoctrines/qt/apostlescreed.htm