RCL: Acts 10:44-48; Psalm 98; 1 John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17 Love. Love in all its facets, colors, challenges, joys, and sorrows pervades human existence and is an element of our cultural productions in print, music, and cinema. The aspects of love and human affection are central to much of the fields of philosophy, sociology, psychology,…

RCL: Acts 10:44-48; Psalm 98; 1 John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17 Acts 10:44-48 This lesson from Acts concludes the story of Peter and Cornelius. Cornelius, a devout centurion living in Caesarea, was bidden by God to find Peter in Joppa. He sends people to find Peter and return. Peter was residing with Simon the tanner. It…

Acts 10:44-48 This passage records the momentous occasion of the Pentecost of the Gentiles, a major event in salvation history unveiling the total breadth of God’s saving intentions toward the whole human race. We witness here more than a mere giving of power from on high to a group of foreigners, but a breathtaking initiative—or…

Acts 10:44-48 Our 1979 Book of Common Prayer includes all kinds of changes to the liturgy for baptism, but the most significant one doesn’t have to do with the language in our prayers. Have you noticed that our baptismal rites aren’t found right before Confirmation, as in older prayer books, but instead fall between Easter…

Acts 10:44-48 During the earlier part of the 20th century, there was much debate over when the Holy Spirit was given to the Christian believer, whether at baptism or at confirmation. The former option won the day, as can be seen in our current Book of Common Prayer. However, this story in Acts flies in…