Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha
And he said unto
them, 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. Acts Chapter 10 verse 28.
Peter’s vision helped to expand Peter’s horizon of
ministry which was hitherto exclusive and limited to a certain race. Peter did
not realize that ministry for him as well as the other apostles was for all of
humanity. But for the timely vision, Peter would not have accompanied the
people Cornelius sent to him to meet with Cornelius and his household. The
visit to Cornelius coupled with the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit on
Cornelius and members of his household stretched the scope of ministry for
Peter. Additionally, Peter dropped his exclusionary practices to allow for
inclusion of all people into the kingdom of God.
There are lessons worth learning from Peter’s vision.
God’s love and salvation is for everybody irrespective of race and
socio-economic backgrounds. It is not for specific families, communities,
ethnic groups, race or nations. Therefore, stretch your borders beyond where
you are now – extend the borders to accommodate God’s inclusion of other ethnic
nationalities; expansion beyond your immediate environs and understanding.
Discard orientation, belief systems and relationships which limit, resist
inclusion and inclusionary practices which will bring about the expansion God
is bringing your way.
