Breaking Down Barriers: How God’s Grace Extends to All
In a world often divided by differences, the story of Peter’s encounter with Cornelius reminds us that God’s grace knows no boundaries. This powerful biblical account challenges us to examine our own preconceptions about who “deserves” to hear the gospel message.
Why Does God Challenge Our Comfort Zones?
Peter, a devout Jewish follower of Christ, found himself in an uncomfortable position when God directed him to the home of Cornelius, a Roman centurion. This wasn’t just stepping outside his comfort zone—it was crossing significant cultural and religious boundaries that had been firmly established for generations.
God challenged Peter through a vision of unclean animals, commanding him to “kill and eat.” When Peter protested that nothing unclean had ever entered his mouth, God responded with a profound truth: “What God has cleansed, you must not call common.”
This wasn’t just about food. It was about people. God was preparing Peter to understand that His grace extends to everyone, regardless of background, ethnicity, or past.
What Happens When We Share Our Testimony?
When Peter returned to Jerusalem, he faced criticism from “those of the circumcision”—Jewish believers who questioned why he would associate with Gentiles. Rather than becoming defensive, Peter simply shared his testimony, recounting how God had led him and how the Holy Spirit had fallen on Cornelius’s household just as it had on the Jewish believers at Pentecost.
The result? Those who had criticized him “became silent” and then “glorified God,” recognizing that “God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”
This illustrates a powerful truth: our personal testimony of God’s work in our lives can open doors that arguments cannot. When we simply share what God has done for us, it empowers others to see beyond their preconceptions.
How Does God Use Ordinary People?
The passage continues by describing how believers scattered after Stephen’s persecution began sharing the gospel not just with Jews but with Greeks as well. These weren’t necessarily eloquent speakers or trained theologians—they were ordinary believers who had experienced God’s grace and couldn’t help but share it.
“And the hand of the Lord was with them. And a great number believed and turned to the Lord.”
This reminds us that God doesn’t require special qualifications to use us. We don’t need to be gifted speakers or have theological degrees. All we need is a willingness to share what God has done in our lives.
Why Is Sharing the Gospel Our Responsibility?
The gospel message isn’t meant to be received and then kept to ourselves. It’s meant to be shared—with everyone. There are no exceptions, no “bag limits” on who deserves to hear about God’s grace.
This doesn’t mean we’re responsible for how people respond to the message. Our responsibility is simply to share it. As the passage shows, when ordinary believers began sharing with Greeks (who thought they knew everything), many came to faith.
We might think our testimony isn’t powerful enough or that we don’t speak well enough, but God can use our simple witness to transform lives. The early church grew explosively not because of polished presentations but because believers shared what they had experienced.
What Does Pentecost Teach Us About God’s Mission?
Pentecost, which we celebrate as the birthday of the church, reminds us that God’s plan has always been to reach all nations. The Holy Spirit empowered believers to speak in languages they didn’t know—a clear sign that the gospel was meant to cross cultural and linguistic barriers.
This wasn’t just a one-time event but the beginning of a movement that continues today. The same Spirit that empowered those early believers empowers us to share God’s grace with everyone we encounter.
Life Application
This week, I challenge you to identify one person God is placing on your heart—someone who needs to hear the gospel message. Pray specifically for this person and for the opportunity to share your testimony with them.
Remember, you don’t need to have all the answers or be a perfect speaker. You simply need to share what Christ has done in your life. The Holy Spirit will give you the words you need when you need them.
Ask yourself:
Who is that one person God is calling me to share with this week?
What barriers or excuses am I hiding behind that prevent me from sharing God’s grace?
How has God worked in my life in a way that might encourage someone else?
Am I limiting God’s grace by deciding who “deserves” to hear it?
Our greatest fear shouldn’t be that we fail in sharing the gospel. Our greatest fear should be that we succeed in things that don’t matter. Getting people through the church doors is just the beginning—helping them experience transformation through Christ is what truly matters.
God’s grace has no limits. Neither should our willingness to share it.