Practicing Christian Leadership, Student Workbook, SW11

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P R A C T I C I N G C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

b. The early Church found this warm welcome to be a challenge for Gentiles in the family of God, Acts 11.17-18.

c. In Christ, all the exterior barriers have been overcome, and we are to welcome people into the family of God on the basis of their faith alone.

(1) Col. 3.11

(2) Rom. 3.29

(3) 1 Cor. 12.13

(4) Gal. 3.28

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B. Implications for Christian leadership

1. No one has to change their cultural identity to enter into the family of God; they may come just as they are, Rom. 10.12.

2. The lesson of the early Church in welcoming Gentiles must apply to us today in our welcoming of people whose cultural backgrounds and tastes are different from ours, Eph. 3.6.

3. The Lord is adding to the body as he sees fit, and our responsibility is to ensure their place, Acts 2.46-47.

4. Our ability to incorporate new believers reveals our maturity in Jesus Christ, and even our identity as believers before God, Gal. 3.28-29.

5. Incorporating those who repent and believe in Jesus, regardless of their background or history, is a litmus test of our understanding of the Gospel and its kingdom implications.