New Testament Hospitality is exampled by the early church in Acts. It is no accident that as the church is born in the book of Acts, hospitality is extended to all peoples, especially to those who are believing, regardless of cultural and religious background. The generosity exhibited as they were together and were “devoted” to “the fellowship” and to the “breaking of bread in their homes” brought favor from everyone and salvation to many (Acts 2:42-47).
As they shared meals together and practiced hospitality with one another in their homes, they became a compelling demonstration of the good news that could create such a community. Everyone was invited into this community centered on God’s hospitality to sinners.[1]
Jipp notes that the wealthy new believers were selling what they had to help the poor new believers, and that this practice was what Jesus was getting at when he taught on helping the poor, regardless of who they were.[2]
As the fledging church embraced the teachings and ethics of Jesus, she saw transformed lives as a result. This was, however, not without its difficulties. Significantly, one of the first major difficulties centered around the non-hospitable care of those who seemed to be “other.” In Acts 6, the Hellenistic Jewish widows were being neglected during the daily distribution of food. Most likely there was at least a difference in language, if not more a difference in attitude and outlook as well;[3]yet, they were still new Christ-followers for whom care needed to be shown. As a result, the apostles guided the people into proper care of those “others” (Acts 6:2-5). Regardless of culture, this is what everyone must do who is a Christ-follower. “Christians in every age and social context need to be aware of the threat that cultural and racial differences can pose to their unity in Christ.”[4]
This difficulty carried over into Acts 10 as Peter was told to visit a nearby Gentile leader, Cornelius. “Others,” specifically non-Jews, were now coming to faith. Was the church to welcome and accept them? They had basically figured out the rich/poor aspect of hospitality, but now what about the Jew/non-Jew facet? What do they do with those from other cultures, races, nations? Peter wrestles with this very question (Acts 10:17), yet listens to the Spirit and brings the church into line with the hospitality of God: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism in dealing with people, but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is welcomed before him.”[5]Every person, regardless of race and status, is being welcomed by God into his family, and therefore is worthy of people’s welcome also.
As the church in Acts continues to work through these growing pains, this remains clear: the outsider, the “other” and the “foreigner” are now invited to experience the hospitality of God. This is now offered by welcoming people into the family of God through salvation in Jesus AND by welcoming believers and non-believers into lives and homes. Paul, as well as other New Testament writers, encourages and challenges this Spirit-enabled and Gospel-advancing practice of hospitality (more on that NEXT WEEK!).
[1] Dustin Willis and Brandon Clements. The Simplest Way to Change the World: Biblical Hospitality as a Way of Life. (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2017), 50.
[2] Joshua W. Jipp, Saved by Faith and Hospitality (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2017), 29.
[3] David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009), 231.
[4] Peterson, 231.
[5] The NET Bible(Biblical Studies Press, 2005), Ac 10:34–35.