December 28 ~ The Ministry of Peter

•Peter Heals Aeneas and Raises Tabitha•
Scripture – Peter
Background @ Acts 9:32
Meanwhile, Peter traveled from place to place, and he came down to visit the believers in the town of Lydda.
Story @ Acts 9:32-43
Painting – Portrait of Henry James (an American-British author) | John Singer Sargent

•Cornelius Calls for Peter•
Scripture – Peter
Background @ Acts 10:1
In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment.
Story @ Acts 10:1-8
Painting – Portrait of a Man in Military Dress | Rembrandt

•Peter Visits Cornelius•
Scripture – Peter
Background @ Acts 10:1-8 (Cornelius calls for Peter)
@ Acts 10:9-10
The next day as Cornelius’s messengers were nearing the town, Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon, and he was hungry. But while a meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
Story @ Acts 10:9-33
Painting – Tiepolo (Mural for the Boston Public Library) | John Singer Sargent

•The Gentiles Hear the Good News•
Scripture – Peter
Background @ Acts 10:9-33 (Peter visits Cornelius)
@ Acts 10:34-36
Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel – that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.”
Story @ Acts 10:34-48

•Peter Explains His Actions•
Scripture – Peter
Background @ Acts 10:9-33 (Peter visits Cornelius)
@ Acts 10:34-48 (the Gentiles hear the Good News)
@ Acts 11:1-3
Soon the news reached the apostles and other believers in Judea that the Gentiles had received the word of God. But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem, the Jewish believers criticized him, “You entered the home of Gentiles and even ate with them!”
Story @ Acts 11:1-18

~ §tacy §weeney