Who's a stranger? (Acts 11.1-18, John 13.31-35)

When we think about our lives as Christians, I wonder what you think the most important thing is? Is it saying your prayers? Is it reading the Bible or is it doing exactly what the Vicar wants you to? All of those things are of course important, but the question is, what is it that sets us apart as Christians? What is the maker’s mark in our lives? Today we’ve got two Bible readings all about discipleship, and what it means for us to be Christians. There’s a division within the church in Peter’s time. I know it’s hard to believe but the church was divided over what men should and shouldn’t do with their willies… Couldn’t imagine such arguments happening now could you. But behind this division was a bigger problem, something that the church was wrestling with. What does it mean to be a Christian? Who’s in and who’s out? What kind of purity laws should we be keeping. It’s obvious to those of the circumcision party, though I doubt they’d win many local election seats… Th...