Tag: Acts 10

Freedom from the Law

My son had a neighborhood friend in elementary school who often showed up at our house unannounced. Abandoning his bike on our front walkway, he’d knock at the door in search of a playmate. Ushering him inside, I’d suggest that he leave his helmet with his bike, but he always declined. An hour later, I’d find the boys surrounded by colorful Legos hunched over their latest creations. I’d chuckle to myself noticing his friend still sporting the helmet. Even when it no longer applied to the circumstances, he followed the law.

While it’s not an exact parallel, I pictured my son’s friend as I read Paul’s words of concern to the Galatian believers observing obsolete religious laws. They have begun listening to  teachers called “Judaizers” who tell them that to be true followers of Christ they must follow Jewish laws regarding circumcision and dietary restrictions. This is a direct contradiction to a significant event involving Peter recorded in Acts 10.

In this story the Lord appears to Peter in a vision and erases dietary laws that divide Jews and Gentiles. The Holy Spirit then sends Peter to the home of a Gentile believer named Cornelius. Peter tells him: “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. ” (Acts 10:28-29 NLT) Later, back in Jerusalem, Peter explains to the other church leaders, “Since God gave these Gentiles the same gift [of the Holy Spirit] he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:17, NLT)

Now, around a decade later Paul shares a disconcerting story about Peter in Galatians 2. Paul and his ministry partner, Barnabas, have been living in the city of Antioch and teaching believers the way of Jesus. When Peter first arrives to visit, he joins them in eating with Gentile believers. Later, however, Peter reverts to old Jewish laws and Paul calls out his hypocrisy: “When [Peter] first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.” (Galatians 2:12-13, NLT)

Imagine how hurtful and confusing Peter’s actions must have been for Gentile believers who had enjoyed fellowship with him around the table.  They’d been grafted into the family of God by faith in Christ, but now they’re treated as second class citizens. Peter’s role as an influential leader prompts Paul to act. He refuses to sit back and remain silent because a true understanding of God’s grace is at stake.

Rebuking Peter, Paul says, “You and I are Jews by birth, not ‘sinners’ like the Gentiles. Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.” (Galatians 2:15-16, NLT) Never one to shrink from the truth, Paul confronts Peter here to keep the gospel from becoming distorted.

Reading this story makes me think of a pendulum swinging between  legalism and grace that occurs in Christian communities.

One extreme happens when believers have a “checklist” mentality. Elizabeth Woodson describes this as legalism: “the belief that our salvation is directly linked to our actions.”1 She also says it’s the “belief that we earn or keep God’s favor by what we do or don’t do.”2 For those of who like routines or struggle with people pleasing, we may let practices intended to help us grow our faith swing us toward legalism. It happens when we feel guilty for missing a quiet time or a worship service; when we say “yes” to serving out of obligation rather than calling; when we give money out of guilt instead of with a generous or joyful spirit. Legalism also creeps in when we see sacraments like Communion or Baptism as requirements to prove our faith rather than expressions of it. When we start engaging in spiritual practices to fulfill an obligation rather than as an outpouring of our love for the Lord, we may be flirting with legalism.

If this feels familiar, here are a few questions to ask yourself: Do I practice certain spiritual disciplines to feel acceptable to God? Am I trying to earn or keep God’s favor by what I do? Am I encouraging those I love to do the same?

The other extreme overemphasizes and misinterprets grace. In this mindset, believers view freedom in Christ as license to do whatever they want. They accept the “free gift” of salvation without considering that it cost Jesus His life; they fail to understand the magnitude of the spiritual exchange taking place. Instead of experiencing transformation by the Spirit, they live no differently than the world–whether it’s the language they use, the entertainment they enjoy, the amount of alcohol they consume, their focus on consumerism and materialism, their sexual practices, etc.

Grace doesn’t give us license to do whatever we want, but freedom to walk in manner worthy of our calling in Christ (Ephesians 4:1). Followers of Jesus are no longer in bondage to sin because we’ve been cleansed by the blood of Christ and have the strength, wisdom, and power of the Holy Spirit to lead us. (Ephesians 5:25) .

If your pendulum swings more toward the “freedom” side, consider asking yourself: Is my way of expressing freedom leading me to look more like the world or more like Jesus? Could  my words, attitudes, and behaviors cause confusion to those younger in faith? Is my lifestyle spurring on others to walk in the way of Jesus?

Whether you lean more toward legalism and rules or misunderstood grace and “freedom,” pray and ask the Lord to bring you back into alignment, living by this truth: “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.” (Galatians 2:20-21, NLT)

  1. Elizabeth Woodson, Live Free: A Study of Galatians, Lifeway, 2025,  50.
  2. ibid, quoted from session 2 video

Inspired by Live Free: A Study of Galatians by Elizabeth Woodson, Lifeway, 2025. Follow along by ordering your copy here.

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No Partiality

Continuing to break new ground in the early church, the Holy Spirit reveals the next stage of God’s unfolding plan in Acts 10.  This chapter pivots from Saul back to Peter, who has an unusual meeting with a Roman Centurion named Cornelius that heralds a significant shift in the early Church. When the Jewish apostle and the God-fearing Gentile meet face to face, there’s no doubt it’s been divinely ordained. Recognizing God’s hand at work, Peter explains what the Lord has shown him: “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 10:34b-35, NIV)

Luke’s narrative continues, “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.” (Acts 10:44-46, NIV)

“With one simple act, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter shows that in the kingdom of God there is no favoritism—the gospel is for everyone.”1 While we may see this story as a significant turning point in our Church history, it also has relevant application for believers today. Jesus’ brother James writes: “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” (James 2:8-9, NIV)

The call to love our neighbors as ourselves appears nine times in Scripture. However, there are moments when we opt out of this command and rationalize our choice to do so. While we may not like admitting it, none of us is without blind spots and unconscious biases. Rather than denying this, we can honor the Lord by asking Him to show us attitudes that dishonor Him and discount others. 

If we’re honest, there are certain people we avoid because of behaviors, attitudes, and lifestyles that we dislike, disagree with, or find distasteful. Beyond obvious differences in race, socioeconomic status, or education, we also make more subtle judgements about others.

It’s natural for people to be drawn to those who are similar and to keep their distance from individuals who cause them to feel awkward, threatened, or uncomfortable. But when partiality shows up in those who follow Jesus, we must admit it and invite the Spirit’s guidance on making healthy changes. While it differs from person to person, here are a few examples that come to mind:

-People who hold different political views. That person who proudly supports a candidate, party, or issue that makes your blood boil is still worthy of God’s love. Jesus’ original twelve disciples included two who were polar opposites politically: “Jesus chose Simon the Zealot, a man who likely desired to forcibly remove the Roman government, and He also chose Matthew, a tax collector working for the Roman government. Both Simon and Matthew, though natural enemies, were part of the Twelve.”2 Two men with opposite political stances put aside their differences through a shared love of Jesus. Like them, we must keep our strong opinions in check and love people regardless of their political affiliations.

-People contending with issues that you don’t understand or haven’t experienced. Maybe it’s the parent of a child with a severe disability. Perhaps it’s a parent with a child struggling with sexual identity or gender dysphoria. Maybe it’s someone with an addiction or mental illness. Often people who are anxious, depressed, or in distress don’t have the energy for good social skills. Sometimes we find it easier to avoid those who have struggles that make us uncomfortable rather than listening, showing kindness, and seeking understanding. 

-People who seem shallow or disinterested in spiritual life. Perhaps there’s someone in your circle of acquaintances who prioritizes fun and socializing above all else. Maybe it’s a person who is always the life of the party or seems to lack depth of character. They hide their hurts and needs behind a broad smile, a boisterous laugh, and deflecting humor. When we judge and dismiss them, we’re keeping the Lord from using us to show them His love. 

-People who have made choices we don’t understand. Maybe it’s someone who leaves a spouse. Rather than reaching out to offer support, we hold back with subtle disapproval. Without knowing the story, we’ve already decided they are doing wrong. Instead of showing compassion or seeking understanding, our avoidance compounds feelings of loneliness or rejection they’re already experiencing; we alienate them from the supportive community of faith they need most.

When we’re quick to judge and draw conclusions based on what we see on the outside of another person, we’re displaying partiality. Maybe, like me, you fear that showing support communicates approval of sins. Perhaps you think withholding affection and warmth equates with maintaining high moral standards. Doing this means missing the opportunity to show God’s love when a person is struggling and feeling alone.

Although not everything described above equates with sin, most of us find certain sins more acceptable than others. But it’s important to remember that God sees all sin as worthy of death (Romans 6:23). We magnify other’s shortcomings and forget that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NIV). This makes us prideful, condescending, and judgmental, overlooking Scripture’s assertion that “mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13b, NIV) We must humbly remember “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, NIV) So, we’d be wise to take off the judge’s robes and leave that job to the Lord (Luke 6:37). God’s kindness leads to repentance (Romans 2:4) so, our passion should be to share His kindness without partiality. He doesn’t show favoritism, so let’s pray for eyes to see those we may be discounting that the Lord is calling us to love.

  • 1. Acts Part One: The Gospel Goes Out, The Village Church, 2019, 92.
  • 2. https://www.gotquestions.org/Zealots-Bible.html

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