Acts 11:1-30

Peter heads back to Jerusalem after the conversion of Cornelius and is criticized by the circumcision party.  The what?  The circumcision party was a group of strict Jewish Christians.  They believed that Gentiles becoming Christians must first convert to Judaism and follow the Levitical law.  Peter relates his vision and experiences backed up by the witness of the six men who accompanied him.  All who heard were amazed that God had granted repentance to Gentiles.  This is a pretty big deal.  Until this time, Jews believed faith in God was limited to Jews or Gentiles willing to convert to Judaism (a very difficult process).  But here's the issue - God has always entered into relationships with people who were faithful, not people with a certain lineage or bloodline.  Look at Rahab, Ruth, Abrahm (the Father of the Jewish nation), and Melchizedek.  God is not only the God of the Jews, He is the God of all nations.  I love this quote from "Is He Not Also the God of the Gentiles" by Alden Bass.  You can find the full article here: http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=11&article=1227

"During the Mosaic age, God was not the God of the Jews only, but of all nations. He worked through Israel to bring about the fulfillment of His ultimate plan, the redemption of all men, but God always has loved all men, and earnestly desires that they worship Him. He also has given all of mankind an opportunity to obey Him. He must have done so, else He could not hold them accountable for their sins. Unfortunately, then, as today, many rejected God’s gracious offer of pardon, choosing to exchange the truth for a lie (Romans 1:25). Even in those times of rampant idolatry and ungodliness, the Old Testament provides a glimpse of the faithful few in all the nations—those men and women who, despite the degraded society around them, chose to serve Jehovah God."

When you read the Old Testament, you will notice that the Jewish nations also turned from God.  It wasn't their lineage that saved them, it was their relationship and faith.  It is the same for you and me.  We can be born into a faithful family of believers, go to church every time the doors are open, feed the poor, treat our fellow man justly - we can live a good life.  However, if there is no relationship with God, no faith of our own - there is no salvation for us.  It doesn't matter how well you obey the law, how much Scripture you can memorize, how much money you give, it's about why you do those things.  Is it out of a loving relationship or is it out of obligation?  God doesn't want your obligation, He wants your heart.  That's why Jesus died for you and me.  That's why it's a gift and a choice.  

Some of the disciples realized this and shared the Good News with everyone.  Others kept their message only for the Jews.  A few stepped out and shared it with Jews living in other regions (the Hellenists).  During this time, many were added to the kingdom.  Saul and Barnabas preached in Antioch.  God sent prophets to prepare the people for famine.  Great things were happening, but greater things were to come.