To the Gentiles also.

Acts 11:2-4, 15-18, So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” But Peter began and explained it to them in order ... As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

We see Jesus recognizing the dangers of factions in the garden, on the night he was betrayed, in his high priestly prayer for the unity of all believers. As much as we need unity, we also need the truth and Peter happily supplies it to those who were concerned about the outward sign of circumcision. God had put his spirit upon even those who were not circumcised according to the tradition of Abraham, ushering us into the New Covenant whereby he has given those who receive Jesus Christ the gift of his Holy Spirit! And they are willing to lay aside their own beliefs and tradition to recognize that God has put his new wine into new wineskins! We can all rejoice along with them that God has granted repentance that leads to life!

We thank you that we are saved by faith through grace and that you have granted us the repentance that leads to life and you have given us the gift of your Holy Spirit!

ESV Lectionary