Acts 11:1-18 narrates Peter’s defense to the Jerusalem church regarding his actions towards Gentiles, particularly the baptism of Cornelius and his household in Caesarea Maritima. Peter recounts the vision he had in Joppa (Acts 10) where he was commanded to eat unclean foods, symbolizing that God was removing the distinction between Jews and Gentiles. He explains that the Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentiles, just as it did on Jews, demonstrating God’s acceptance of them. This event was met with initial resistance from some Jewish believers, but Peter’s explanation and the tangible evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence ultimately satisfied them.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
- Acts 11:1-18:
Peter’s return to Jerusalem after his ministry to Gentiles in Caesarea.
- Initial Objections:
Some Jewish Christians are upset that Peter associated with Gentiles, whom they considered unclean.
- Peter’s Defense:
Peter recounts the vision in Joppa where he is told to eat unclean foods, which he interprets as God’s message that no man is to be called unclean.
- The Holy Spirit’s Fall:
Peter explains that the Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentiles, Cornelius and his household, just as it had fallen on Jews.
- Evidence of Acceptance:
The Gentiles speak in tongues, demonstrating the same manifestation of the Spirit as Jews, further proving their acceptance by God.
- Baptism and Salvation:
Peter baptizes the Gentiles because they have received the Holy Spirit.
- Resolution:
The Jewish believers are satisfied with Peter’s explanation and acknowledge that God has given the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles also.
- Glorification of God:
The believers glorify God, recognizing His inclusivity and the universality of His salvation.
8 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
Worship Calendar
- May 18 What God Has Made Clean Leviticus 11:41-45 & Acts 11:1-18 Rev. Eric Lee
- May 25 TBA Rev. Jan Hieminga
- June 1 Communion Rev. Eric Lee
A Spring Devotional Update: (Updated Mar. 25, 2025)
A new edition of These Days (April/May/June), as well as the current edition of Our Daily Bread (March/April/May) are available on the table in the church vestibule and in the devotional box on the church porch.
One Bible Prayer to Help You Get Through Doubt
Bob Hostetler
When your faith is flagging, these eight words can reconnect you with God.
Do you wish you had more faith? Less doubt? If you’re anything like me, you have my sympathy. In those moments of doubt your faith may flee, you may question nearly everything and feel as if you’re holding onto faith by a thread. And that’s exactly when prayer can seem harder than usual. We might wish for some kind of treatment or trick that will banish doubt and buttress our faith, small though it may be. There is.
There’s one prayer I use often to pray through doubt, and it happens to be a Bible prayer. I don’t know anyone who’s claimed it as a “life verse,” but it’s been a lifeline to me many times.
It’s a prayer from an occasion right after Jesus’ literal “mountaintop experience” when He and His closest followers came back to earth, literally. A man had brought his son to Jesus for healing but Jesus wasn’t there; He was up on the Mount of Transfiguration.
So, the man located some of Jesus’ disciples among the other nine who had stayed behind. The desperate father told them that his son was possessed by a demon. Those disciples tried to call the demon out of the boy—and failed. When Jesus arrived at the scene, the father explained his son’s predicament and the disciples’ failed efforts. Jesus said, “Bring the boy to me.” The account goes on:
So, they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:20-24 NIV).
That’s it! That’s the prayer: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Is there a more honest prayer in scripture?
The story goes on to tell how Jesus commanded the demon and delivered the boy. He explained to His baffled disciples that this kind of deliverance happens only as a result of prayer and fasting. But it’s the father’s prayer that has carried me through many doubts and returned me to a place of faith.
Those eight words do five important things for me:
1) They affirm (and remind me) that I do still have some faith; I haven’t lost all of it. That’s important, especially when I feel most doubt-ridden.
2) They admit, honestly, that my faith is small, that unbelief is also working in me.
3) They include a petition, asking the Lord to help me overcome my unbelief.
4) They keep the conversation open between me and the Lord. Instead of doubt silencing my prayers and shutting down my communion with God, this prayer keeps us talking (which is perhaps the greatest benefit of all).
5) And they apply to any situation, because (speaking only for myself, mind you) in virtually every circumstance, my faith is tempered by doubt. Even at my best, doubt still seems present, in some measure, at least.
Try it. “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Keep this prayer in your heart and mind. Have it ready when doubt assails you. Pull it out when darkness descends. Repeat it often, as frequently as necessary—a single prayer to bolster faith and banish doubt.
The Pencil and the Eraser
“Hey, how are you?” the eraser asked the pencil kindly.
“I’m not your friend,” the pencil snapped. “I hate you.”
Surprised and hurt, the eraser asked, “Why?”
“Because you erase everything I write.”
“I only remove the mistakes,” the eraser replied gently.
“That doesn’t make it right.” said the pencil.
“But that’s what I’m here for. It’s my purpose.”
“Then your job is meaningless,” grumbled the pencil. “Writing is more important than
erasing.”
“To erase the wrong is just as important as writing the right,” the eraser said.
The pencil paused, then quietly said, “But I see you getting smaller each day…”
“That’s because I give a little bit of myself every time I help correct a mistake.”
“I feel smaller too,” the pencil admitted.
“We can’t do good for others unless we’re willing to sacrifice something,” the eraser smiled.
Then she looked at him and softly asked, “Do you still hate me?”
The pencil smiled back:
“How could I hate someone who gives so much of themselves?”
Each day we wake up with one day less.
If you can’t be the pencil that creates joy for other, be the eraser that wipes away their pain, planting hope and reminding them: The future can still be better than the past.
Be grateful. Always.
UPCOMING EVENTS
* Tuesdays @ 11:00 AM – Walking Group – All are welcome
* Thursdays @ 2:00 PM – Worship service at Centennial Park Place
* Tuesday, May 20 @ 6:30 PM – Session
* Saturday, May 31 @ 7:00 PM – You Have Voice-Male concert in Burlington
Prayer Roster Lay Readers Welcome and Announcements
May 18 Maureen Screen Lynne Bishop Kathy Twynam
May 25 Ethel Waite Anna Cherniak Nancy McPherson
June 1 Eric Lee Nancy Green Susan Chopp
June 8 Maureen Screen Harry Learoyd Lynne Bishop
June 15 Errol Baldeo Chris Parr Bob Twynam
June 22 Eric Lee Susan Chopp Kathy Twynam
June 29 Susan Chopp Bob Twynam Nancy McPherson
July 6 Nancy McPherson Jean Fox Susan Chopp
WEEKLY GIGGLE
Best of friends, Rabbi Schwartz and Father O’Malley were at a diner enjoying lunch. Father O’Malley put down his ham and cheese sandwich and commented, “This sandwich is so good! Kosher dietary restrictions made sense in ancient times, but when are you going to join the modern age and eat delicious, wholesome food like this?
Without missing a beat, Rabbi Schwartz replied, “At your wedding.”
Where to Find Us
Do you have any news or prayer requests that you would like to share? Drop me a line and I will be happy to include it in the Weekly Email. Have a blessed week, everyone.
Susan choppertini@hotmail.com
* Message from Pastor Eric: “FYI the Graceview website page has been revamped, so as to keep people updated of our activities and events. Visit us and enjoy all that is good about Graceview”. https://graceview.ca/calendar-events
* We also have our own Facebook page. (Graceview Presbyterian Church). This site shows the world all that we are and what we have to offer as a church. Check it out and be sure to “follow.”
lease note the following email addresses for all church-related communication:
Pastor Eric: pastor@graceview.ca (416-621-0888) and press #1 for Pastor Eric.
Church Office: office@graceview.ca (unchanged and managed by our Secretary, Halyna)