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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In Acts 11, the apostle Peter is having his ministry thoroughly examined because of what happened in the home of Cornelius. His fellow apostles back in Jerusalem did not know what actually happened, and it is always unwise to act on mere rumour. Always seek to get at the facts. Get at the truth. Truth is the actual state of affairs, as contrasted with rumour or false report, or myth, or legend. And the truth fits every situation. We can apply that to the whole of the Bible. None of us can afford to build our life upon rumour or myth or legend.
Peter helps these disciples in Jerusalem come to the truth. He leads them in such a way as they can arrive at the facts. A good leader or pastor or teacher will always seek to lead people to the facts - to the truth of what actually happened.
Peter begins to explain everything - precisely.
He has been misjudged, but he doesn't become annoyed or angry. Peter knew he had obeyed Jesus, and he remains calm and poised.
He spoke about the vision. I was sent for - it was the Holy Spirit Who revealed this truth to me - motivated me - and used me. It was God Who did this. Don't blame me.
I went because I was commanded to. I met Cornelius. He shared with me the vision which our God had given to him, and as I began to speak about Jesus, The Holy Spirit fell on them, just as He fell upon us at the beginning - in The Temple - and with the same consequences.
Verse 16. Then I remembered the Word of the Lord. It is important to remember the Word of the Lord. When we forget the Word of the Lord, then fear and anxiety can creep into our hearts and minds. Remember the word of the Lord. That will involve reading it, learning its truths and studying it. It will time and effort but the rewards will be significant.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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