This morning I read Acts 10. Peter, an unknown, uneducated Jewish fisherman, who’s followed Jesus for three years, is gaining influence as a church leader. Cornelius, a Roman Captain in the Italian regiment, has power and influence in military circles.
As an Israeli Jew, Peter has established opinions and prejudices about Gentiles and invading Roman soldiers. His God speaks to him through a strange vision, involving animals in a large sheet; his well-established personal, religious, political views have to change.
Peter has to act immediately on what he’s learnt. Messengers from Cornelius come thirty miles to Peter; Peter goes thirty miles to see Cornelius. Both men change.
BBC ‘Songs of Praise’ yesterday told another story: In 325 AD there were disagreements about what Christians believe, particularly regarding the divinity of Jesus, the nature of God, and the doctrine of the trinity. The First Council of Nicaea was convened. This council of bishops wrote the Nicene Creed which outlines core Christian beliefs.
This creed, later modified by the First Council of Constantinople, starts: ‘We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth…’ It’s familiar to many Christians today.
For seventeen centuries it’s remained unchanged, a unifying statement of faith for Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and most Protestant churches around the world today and throughout history.
I’m often challenged to change.
Some changes must be made – growing-up grandchildren change relationships… technology changes my phone, car and kitchen… decreased physical stamina changes gardening strategies…
Some changes mustn’t be made – attitudes of empathy, honesty, compassion… actions of helpfulness, kindness, goodness… St Paul’s ‘faith, hope and love’… the Nicene bishops unchanging truth.
Some changes may be made – prejudices, opinions, habits… attitudes to money, possessions, people… recognising, like Peter, that I have may have got it wrong for many years.
Yesterday in church we reflected on Jesus saying, ‘I am the light of the world’. Today I’m praying for that light to shine in my life, showing me what to change and what not to change.
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