Chapter 11:1-18 – The Transgressing God

We have spoken about how the character and divinity of God expressed fully in Jesus is demonstrated more in boundary-breaking than in boundary keeping. 
God, in the words of Willie Jennings, is a Transgressing God. 
In this chapter, Peter is called to account for sharing food and faith with Gentiles with “the uncircumcised”. The bulk of the first 18 verses of the chapter contain Peter’s explanation to those who are accusing Peter of not keeping true to the faith. 
Chapters 10 and 11 of the Book of Acts are astounding in that there is a joining of people to people. Those who would have been deemed outsiders, the non-faithful are welcomed. Peter simply explains the vision that he had and the encounter with Cornelius and the coming of the Holy Spirit in power to the Gentiles. Those listening seem to accept the explanation.  
Jennings, in his commentary, picks up a concept of Dietrich Bonhoeffer in saying that this is an example of “The word of God against the word of God”. The people demanding an explanation from Peter are standing on the scriptures. Peter clearly was reluctant to do as God was saying as he was himself seeking to remain faithful.  
We have all seen religious institutions and religious people speak and teach as if truth itself is fixed. Our faith has been abused in such ways. We have been told that we can’t possibly be open in faith to others who are outside, unacceptable. By God’s grace and presence, Peter heard the call to be open to others. By God’s grace others heard the same. The past is tremendously important, but God still speaks. We don’t worship a memory. We don’t live according to some ancient moral code. We are called to hear “the word of God against the word of God” as demonstrated in the live-giving way of Jesus Christ. 

Don’t allow those who would seek to constrain and restrict Christian faith and practice to scare you. The loudest yellers almost always the weakest people. Christian faith is so so much better than any exclusivist rendering of it.  

Dear God: 

Give us eyes to see and ears to hear. Come Holy Spirit and show us the love of Jesus for ALL people.  Amen.