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Congregation Bible study (30 mins.) bt chap. 9 paras. 1-7, introduction to section 3 and box on p. 70.
CHAPTER 09: “God is not partial”
Preaching reaches the uncircumcised
Based on Acts 10:1-11:30
1-3. What vision did Peter have, and why is it important to know what it means?
Pedro did not allow himself to be carried away by prejudices, since he was staying in the house of a tanner. Many Jews despised tanners, because they worked with skins, animal corpses, and disgusting materials. In fact, tanners were considered unworthy, yet Peter, as a Jew, had grown up with the belief that certain people were impure or unfit to have a bond with God according to the Mosaic law. However the divine voice instructed him not to call impure what God has purified, thus challenging his limited understanding of the Divine will, this revelation was fundamental in preparing the ground for the expansion of the Gospel, beyond Jewish borders.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
It is important to understand the meaning of Peter's vision because it offers us a fundamental perspective on the way God views people and on the principles that govern his relationship with humanity. By understanding this Vision, we can align our own views and actions with those of God, which is crucial to fully bearing witness to the Kingdom of God.
Peter had a vision while he was praying on the roof of the house in Joppa. In this Vision, he saw a type of sheet descend from heaven in which there were animals considered impure according to Jewish law. Then, a heavenly voice urged him to kill and eat those animals, but Peter refused, arguing that he had never eaten anything impure.
By understanding this truth, we can develop an attitude of fairness and compassion toward others, recognizing the value of each individual in the eyes of God. This is essential to carry out the command to love our neighbors as ourselves and to promote unity in the congregation.
For Peter, this vision was a challenge to his own deeply held beliefs and the religious and cultural norms of his time. Furthermore, this vision was not only introducing him to the future of Christian worship, but it mentally prepared him to expect something radical that he could not imagine.
In the story, Peter is praying on the roof, when he falls into a trance and sees a vision of a sheet descending from heaven with animals considered impure. According to Jewish law. A voice orders him to kill them and eat them. which initially baffles him due to his firm adherence to Jewish ritual laws. that he prevents the consumption of such animals. The repetition of the command to eat the unclean three times emphasizes its importance and its Divine origin. Through this experience, Peter begins to understand that Jehovah is Impartial, that is, he is no respecter of persons.
Peter's vision not only challenged his conception of ritual purity, but also pointed to a deeper truth that God's salvation and grace were not limited to a particular ethnic group, but were available to all people without distinction. This revelation was crucial for the inclusion of the Gentiles in the community of believers and for the development of the work.
Understanding the meaning of this vision, Followers of Jehovah are called to adopt a broader and more loving perspective toward all people, recognizing that all are equally loved and worthy of Divine grace. This is essential to bearing a complete testimony about the Kingdom of God, as it reflects the same compassion and unconditional love that God has for all of his creation.
In short, understanding the meaning of Peter's vision helps us align our hearts and actions with the values of God's Kingdom, enabling us to be true servants of Jehovah by following his same thoughts.
“He prayed to God constantly” (Acts 10:1-8)
4, 5. Who was Cornelius, and what happened while he prayed?
Cornelius was a notable man in the city of Caesarea, a centurion in the Roman army, noted for his devotion to God and his generosity toward those in need. Although he was neither a Jew nor a proselyte, his fear of God and his pious conduct distinguished him as someone special in the eyes of God.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
In the Acts of the Apostles, he is described as a devout man who feared God, as did his family. Despite not being a Jew or a proselyte, Cornelius showed compassion toward needy Jews and provided them with material help. Furthermore, he constantly sought God through prayer.
Cornelius, despite his Gentile origin, maintained a close relationship with the God of Israel and constantly sought his day and direction through prayer. While Cornelius was praying in his house around 3 in the afternoon, he received a visit from an angel. This Divine appearance confirmed God's acceptance of him and his recognition of Cornelius' good works and piety, the Angel informed him that his prayers and acts of Charity had been observed by God and had ascended as a memorial before him.
The Angel instructed him to send messengers to look for Peter, the apostle who was in Joppa. This Divine encounter marked a crucial point in the history of the spread of the Gospel, since Cornelius, who was a Gentile, was about to receive the message of salvation through Faith in Jesus Christ.
Cornelius' immediate obedience to divine instruction signals his readiness to receive the word of God and opens the door for Gentiles to enter into a relationship with God through Faith in Christ. This event underscores the universality of Jehovah's plan of salvation and his desire that all people, regardless of ethnic or religious background, be reconciled to him through Faith in Jesus Christ.
The story of Cornelius and Peter is a powerful reminder of the breadth of God's grace and love and serves as a call to all believers to take the Gospel message to every corner of the world.
6, 7. a) Tell an experience that shows that God hears the prayers of those who sincerely seek Him. b) What do these types of experiences teach us?
The story of the Albanian woman in the paragraph is a moving testimony of how Jehovah hears the prayers of those who sincerely seek him. In a time of need and concern for the education of her daughters, she raised a Plea to God asking for help and guidance. A few moments later a preaching sister arrived at her door offering her a Watchtower that addressed precisely the issue that was on her heart, parenting. For her, it was clear confirmation that God was responding to her request and providing the help she needed. needed. At that crucial moment in her life, this chance encounter not only led her to study the Bible with her daughters, but her husband also became involved in this journey of faith.
This experience clearly illustrates that God does hear the prayers of those who sincerely seek Him. In the case of an Albanian lady, her request for help in educating her daughters was answered immediately, when she received a magazine with an article that responded exactly to her need. This strengthened her faith and led her to study the Bible with her family.
6, 7. b) What do these types of experiences teach us?
These experiences show us that Jehovah answers the prayers of those who sincerely seek him. In 1 Kings chapter 8 verses 41 to 43, we see how Jehovah is attentive to the supplications of his children and that He listens to their cries with compassion and love. The story of the Albanian woman is just one more example of how God intervenes in people's lives to provide them with comfort, guidance and help in times of need.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
This type of experience teaches us that the Angels guide us in preaching as mentioned in Revelation 14:6 and 7, which demonstrates Jehovah's intervention to carry his message throughout the world and also answers our prayers.
They also teach us that angels are instruments of Divine command in people's lives. Sister's visit with the right magazine at the right time is not a coincidence, but rather a Divine intervention
Revelation chapter 14 verses 6 and 7 reminds us that Jehovah uses various means, including his servants and the Angels, to fulfill his purposes and answer the prayers of his people.
ANALYSIS BASED ON SECTION 3 • ACTS 10:1-12:25
In this section, we will see how Jehovah’s spirit opened the hearts of his servants to overcome prejudices and how this gave great impetus to the work of witnessing to people of all nations.
ANALYSIS BASED ON THE BOX: CORNELIUS AND THE ROMAN ARMY
Caesarea was the political and military center of Judea, which was part of the Roman Empire.
The governor was in charge of between 500 and 1,000 cavalrymen and 5 infantry cohorts each with about 600 soldiers.
We see that according to the box men who were not Roman citizens were generally recruited.
The cohort patrolled the Temple Mount and the city especially during Jewish holidays when reinforcements were sent to prevent possible unrest.
The centurions enjoyed a high social, military and economic level, it is believed that they earned 16 times more than a private soldier.
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