“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.’”
Acts 10:34
Dear HBIC Family,
This past week, I was able to rise to more full citizenship within our Brethren in Christ family after completing my maiden visit and stay at Roxbury Holiness Camp. Now, naysayers will ask, “Why did it take you nearly fifteen years?” To that, I’ll say, “Let’s not talk about old news.” Whether it was due to missions trips, speaking at other places, or even yearly family vacations, I just had not been able to make going to Roxbury work. I appreciate John Hawbaker for many reasons, but today I’m grateful for his persistence in getting me to Roxbury.
During my visits to Roxbury, I have very much enjoyed seeing familiar faces and meeting new sisters and brothers. I have enjoyed the worship, messages, and the many opportunities to break bread together or just to visit and fellowship with one another. However, my favorite part of Roxbury so far has been hearing the stories of God moving and the legacies of faith that have been passed down from generation to generation. I am always amazed by people who have followed Jesus for longer than I’ve been alive. Roxbury is amazing because you have this lot and their love, ministry, and faith that was received by them…and passed on to so many others.
One of the most challenging aspects of our faith is that it is not personal versus communal, it is both personal and communal. Personally, we have to choose to follow Jesus. Communally, we are part of a family of faith that has prepared the road to salvation for us, taught us, prayed for us, and led us to faith. Personally, we have to commit to following Jesus each day. Communally, we have God’s image and likeness in all of us, and God’s Spirit in those of us who believe in Christ. Personally, your relationship with God matters. Communally, your relationships with others, the creation, and our world as a whole matter too.
The story of Cornelius’ conversion is often taught as the first Gentile conversion to our faith. That may be true, depending on your definition of Gentile. For example, if you consider Samaritans to be Gentiles, then their conversions precede Cornelius’. If you know the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch, then you know that his conversion preceded Cornelius’ as well. So, if Cornelius’ is not the first Gentile conversion, what is its significance?? What do we learn from the story of Cornelius that helps us in our faith and work today?
This week, we will continue our Acts: The Church Then and Now series by learning from Cornelius’ life, witness, and testimony of faith. To prepare for this week’s services, I invite you to read and meditate on Acts 10. As you reflect, I would like to ask you to focus on the following questions:
What does this passage say about God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)?
What does this passage say about how God works before, during, and after conversion?
How has God worked in your life before, during, and after your conversion?
With whom is God calling you to share about what God has done in your life?
Last Sunday, we heard a wonderful message from our brother Ryan Cagno. In retelling the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (historically called Simeon), we were challenged to follow God by listening to the Spirit, being obedient God’s calling, and to join in the work God is already doing. We the Church (back in our early beginnings and today as well) are to be a family that follows Christ. This story, while very personal to Philip and Simeon, impacted their communities in Jerusalem, Samaria, and Ethiopia.
Sisters and brothers, we worship a God that works in us and through us. In us, God personally grows us into the image and likeness of His Son Jesus Christ. Through us, God communally grows us into the Body of Christ that unites with saints of old to continue the work of making “on earth as it is in heaven” possible. This is the same story I learned at Roxbury. And this is the story we will all learn this week through the legacy that Cornelius has left behind for us.
God bless you all.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Hank (Acts 10:34)