Acts 15:12 (NRSV): 12 The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles.

At the Council at Jerusalem the apostle Paul and Barnabas were pushing back against the assertion of some Jewish Christians that Gentile Christians (non-Jews) should have to observe the Mosaic law – if one expected to receive the blessings of God. Makes sense. God blessed the righteous who were understood as those who followed the law. But then something strange happened.

Gentile believers who DID NOT follow the law of Moses received the Holy Spirit just like the Jewish believers who DID! That’s not how that was supposed to work, but apparently the Holy Spirit didn’t get the memo. 🙂

I’ve mentioned before that the church I lead is leaning into the challenge of learning to be a “hybrid church” – one that grows disciples of Jesus both locally/in-person and virtually. This morning’s story makes me wonder how the Holy Spirit will show up and surprise us.

Lord Jesus, let it be so… Amen.