June 22-June 28

FOUR UNIQUE CONVERSIONS
Beverly Brannan
St. Louis, Missouri

The process of building a new church to include all people was novel to the first century world. It is typical of people to meet innovative ideas with skepticism and the Apostles were faced with their share of doubters. Equally important, they were met with many willing to believe.

In Acts chapters 8-11, four conversion stories provide us with a spectrum of conversions and what became of those who accepted Christ: one ran away in fear, one went away rejoicing, one became an Apostle and the fourth turned the world's attention to a single God.

First, is Simon called the sorcerer. Magic was his occupation. The words of Christ fell on his ears and he accepted it along with many others. However, the story suggests he wasn't totally committed. When he saw Peter and the other Apostles using the Holy Spirit to cast out demons, he took a businessman's approach. He offered to pay the Apostles for their gift. He didn't want it to do good, but to make money. Peter cursed him. Simon ran away in fear, praying peter's curse would not come true.

The second conversion is of an Ethiopian Eunuch. He had been in Jerusalem to worship. The Eunuch worked for the Ethiopian queen who permitted him time off. Consider his circumstances. He wore fine clothes and lived in a beautiful palace, but he was not free and was denied the right to have children. There are other physical issues of being a Eunuch rarely mentioned, but known. He was possibly scorned socially. Nevertheless, he demonstrated interest in knowing more about the Hebrew Bible. Peter was sent to find him. They discussed Isaiah. The prophecy concerning the coming Messiah is covered in this text. Only Hebrews understood the prophet's message. Once Peter explained Isaiah's prophecy annd how Jesus fulfilled it, the Eunuch did not hesitate. "Here is water, what prevents me from being baptized?" The Eunuch must have been quite surprised to have been in Peter's company one minute and alone the next since the Holy Spirit whisked Peter away. After his baptism, the Eunuch went away rejoicing.

The third conversion is that of Paul. Notice his relationship with the church before and after. Paul did not hesitate to follow Christ's instructions for baptism and he becamne an Apostle. Even though he was a "Jew among Jews," Christ designated his assignment to teach the Gentiles. He did so with zeal and enthusiasm.

The fourth conversion is of Cornelius. Cornelius was head of the Italian Regiment, conceivably today's equivalent of the Navy Seals. It seems an oxymoron to say Cornelius was a tough military man, but he considered the needy and gave them support. While little is known of Cornelius, the most important thing is that Peter, along with several Jews, went to Cornelius's house after having a dream with an instruction: "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." Cornelius was perhaps the first Gentile converted. It was for him, and us, that the veil to the Holy of Holies was ripped apart the day Jesus was crucified--no longer separated, but one.

[Beverly Brannan is Dale Brannan's wife. Beverly is a graduate of Oklahoma Christian, BSE, and the University of Missouri, M.Ed. The Brannans have made St. Louis their home since 1975. They are the parents of John Brannan, Ft. Worth, TX; Dr. David Brannan, Atlanta,GA; and Dina Patterson, St. Louis, MO; all of whom are faithful Christians. Beverly and Dale also have five grandchildren. Beverly loves the Bible, the Church, and being a Believer.]