Equal Opportunity Savior

July 26

(Acts 15:7 NIV) “Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. {8} God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. {9} He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.”

(Romans 10:1-13 NIV) ““Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. {2} For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. {3} Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. {4} Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. {5} Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them." {6} But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' " (that is, to bring Christ down) {7} "or 'Who will descend into the deep?' " (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). {8} But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: {9} That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. {11} As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." {12} For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, {13} for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.””

Jesus is an equal opportunity Savior. Peter learned this when he preached to the Gentiles and they received the Holy Spirit -- the same Holy Spirit that the Jewish disciples had received. Peter concluded that God makes no distinction between Jew and Gentile when it comes to salvation. Paul the apostle came to this same conclusion. He advocated for Gentiles to be included as full members of the Church, without requiring circumcision. Salvation comes by grace through faith to all who believe. Jesus came to save every lost person. He died for the sins of the whole world. Peter said that God “made no distinction”. Paul said “there is no difference”. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord can be saved. Anyone whose heart had been purified by faith was welcome in the body of Christ. This was the “big tent” policy of the early church. Is this your church’s policy? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day