Beloved, there was a prejudice ingrained into the hearts of those Jews who first became Christians. Because they were Jewish, because they were God’s chosen people, they believed that they were superior to all others. Hence, the early church struggled to allow Gentiles into fellowship. It was this prejudice that the Lord was attempting to remove from the hearts of the Apostles who were all Hebrews. The church was going from Jew to Gentile and everyone needed to be on the same page in order to allow for growth. Though it took some time and was not pain free, eventually Gentiles were allowed into fellowship.
It was the Apostle Paul who wrote to the Galatians in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Therefore, whatever background we may have, whatever social-economic status, education level, race, or ethnicity; it is Jesus Christ who has brought us all together. Beloved, at the Cross we stand equal, sinners in need of a Savior. We are one in Christ Jesus solely because of Christ’s work on the Cross.
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Blessings-
Pastor Joe

Beloved, God has revealed Himself to mankind in different ways. First God has revealed Himself through creation as Scripture says in Romans 1:20, “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”
Secondly, God has reveled Himself through man’s conscience. Romans 2:14-15 explains this, “For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them.”
God has also revealed Himself through His son, Jesus Christ. John 1:9 says, “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.”
Beloved, every person has been given enough light, enough revelation of God to know that God exists. He has placed a Christ shaped vacuum in each of us in which only Christ fits. Will you respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ today?
Blessings-
​Pastor Joe

 ​Beloved, as we enter into the end of Chapter Nine in the Book of Acts we notice a transition. For the next three chapters, the Apostle Peter takes center stage. The Gospel has gone from Jew to Samaritan and new week will reach a Gentile for the first time. Meanwhile, the Apostle Paul will be gone for several years. For seven to ten years Paul will be out starting churches when suddenly Barnabas returns to his life. In Acts Chapter thirteen we notice the Apostle Paul returning to center stage. But for now the Apostle Peter is running the show. He leaves Jerusalem and begins to minister in the surrounding area. The Lord uses Peter in a
powerful manner as people are healed and raised from the dead. Beloved, it has been said that man can live without food for forty days, without water for four days, without air for four minutes but without hope for only four seconds. If there is a situation in your life, which requires a miraculous response, please note that God is in the miracle business. Our Creator is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. Place your need in His hand and allow Him to work. Beloved, He is able! Remember what Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Remember, earth hath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal!
Blessings-
Pastor Joe

Death has followed the Apostle Paul since the early days of his ministry. It all begins when he gave up his former life, was born again and the old man was killed. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” What followed were numerous death threats, near- death experiences and the daily battle of dying to self. The Apostle Paul was familiar with death and guess what, so should we. It all begins like it began with the Apostle Paul as we give our lives to the Lord. The old man is destroyed, and God creates a new creation, “the old has gone, the new has come!” Then, as we identify with Christ, we come to the realization that our lives are hidden in Him as Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Inclusive with this is the daily battle we face as the Spirit battles against the flesh. The Apostle Paul said that he needed to die daily, 1 Corinthians 15:31 says, “I die every day—I mean that, brothers—just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Blessings-
Pastor Joe