St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

The gospel for everyone

I always expect Easter Sunday’s bible reading to be one of the accounts of Jesus being raised from the dead, or St Paul explaining the resurrection - so I was surprised this year by Acts 10:32-45. It’s Peter speaking at a Roman Centurion’s house by invitation, and I soon saw that in many ways it was like a creed. So we used a version of it in place of the creed ... and then in the afternoon I sat down and wondered if it could be turned into a song?

Cornelius, the Roman Centurion, doesn’t really know what to expect Peter will say. Jews didn’t associate with non-Jews, and it’s rather surprising that Peter even consents to enter the house. Cornelius and Peter have both separately had visions, and Peter suddenly realizes what God is trying to say to them both.

So Peter begins. God is saying that he is the God of everyone, so everyone is welcome into his presence. He sent Jesus to teach and heal everyone, his death on the cross was for everyone’s sins, and his resurrection proves that eternal life is open to everyone. And we are all invited to respond.

And just to prove it, while Peter is still speaking the Holy Spirit falls on everyone present: Jews and Romans alike. Just like on the day of Pentecost, and just like he still does today.

John Hartley

We believe

We believe in God the Father,
who never sides with any race,
but accepts from ev'ry nation
all those who fear and seek his face.
We believe he sent his message
to all his people Israel,
telling them good news of Jesus,
who is God and Lord of all.

We believe in Christ our Saviour,
on whom God's Spirit came to rest
for a ministry of goodness,
and healing those who were oppressed.
We believe he was the victim
of crucifixion on a tree,
but God gave him resurrection
from the grave, and set him free.

We believe Christ's resurrection
was seen by witnesses God chose:
then they ate and drank with Jesus,
and so we're certain that he rose.
We believe that God appointed
this Jesus Christ as judge from heav'n.
Holy Scripture now exhorts us
to believe and be forgiv'n.

We believe the Holy Spirit
who came with power on God's Son,
also comes to those who trust him,
and fills believers, every one.
We believe that God commanded
his people, here and ev'rywhere:
we must preach and tell all nations
of this Christ whom they can share.

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. July 2007, Page 8.
Home Page. Index of articles: by subject, by date. In this issue: (July 2007) Cooperative? Soma, Colossians, Hymn. Music for this hymn. Other hymns.	The gospel for everyone I always expect Easter Sunday’s bible reading to be one of the accounts of Jesus being raised from the dead, or St Paul explaining the resurrection - so I was surprised this year by Acts 10:32-45. It’s Peter speaking at a Roman Centurion’s house by invitation, and I soon saw that in many ways it was like a creed. So we used a version of it in place of the creed ... and then in the afternoon I sat down and wondered if it could be turned into a song? Cornelius, the Roman Centurion, doesn’t really know what to expect Peter will say. Jews didn’t associate with non-Jews, and it’s rather surprising that Peter even consents to enter the house. Cornelius and Peter have both separately had visions, and Peter suddenly realizes what God is trying to say to them both. So Peter begins. God is saying that he is the God of everyone, so everyone is welcome into his presence. He sent Jesus to teach and heal everyone, his death on the cross was for everyone’s sins, and his resurrection proves that eternal life is open to everyone. And we are all invited to respond. And just to prove it, while Peter is still speaking the Holy Spirit falls on everyone present: Jews and Romans alike. Just like on the day of Pentecost, and just like he still does today. John Hartley We believe We believe in God the Father, who never sides with any race, but accepts from ev'ry nation all those who fear and seek his face. We believe he sent his message to all his people Israel, telling them good news of Jesus, who is God and Lord of all. We believe in Christ our Saviour, on whom God's Spirit came to rest for a ministry of goodness, and healing those who were oppressed. We believe he was the victim of crucifixion on a tree, but God gave him resurrection from the grave, and set him free. We believe Christ's resurrection was seen by witnesses God chose: then they ate and drank with Jesus, and so we're certain that he rose. We believe that God appointed this Jesus Christ as judge from heav'n. Holy Scripture now exhorts us to believe and be forgiv'n. We believe the Holy Spirit who came with power on God's Son, also comes to those who trust him, and fills believers, every one. We believe that God commanded his people, here and ev'rywhere: we must preach and tell all nations of this Christ whom they can share. Words copyright © John Hartley 2007. Based on Acts 10:34-44. There’s a tune on our web site.
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