Unstoppable! 'Salvation on the Line' — Acts 11:13-14

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

[Peter related what Cornelius said to him:] "He told us how an angel had appeared to him in his home and had told him, 'Send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He will tell you how you and everyone in your household can be saved!'"

— Acts 11:13-14 NLT

Key Thought

Luke emphasizes the theme of salvation in his gospel and in the book of Acts.* We should not be surprised that he points explicitly to what hangs in the balance for Cornelius in Peter's visit: "He will tell you how you and everyone in your household can be saved!" The salvation of non-Jews is the issue. Do Gentiles first have to become proselytes (converts to Judaism) to be considered Christians? No! They need to believe in Jesus, turn from their life of sin to live for God (repent), receive the Holy Spirit, and be baptized. If they do those four things - the same four things that happen on the day of Pentecost with Jewish believers (Acts 2:36-41) - then they are disciples of Jesus and saved! They don't need to become converts to Judaism to be faithful followers of Jesus!

* See the Related Scripture Readings below.

Today's Prayer

Dear Father, I ask that you not only forgive us for the many ways we sometimes erect barriers to people becoming followers of Jesus but that you also change us. Please use the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to these unnecessary barriers so that we can remove them and invite others to believe in Jesus as Lord, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit. Use us to make new disciples and then love them into full fellowship in our families, groups, and congregations. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

God's Angel
Devo: Unstoppable!
"[Peter recounted what Cornelius said when he arrived at Cornelius' house:] "He told us how an angel had appeared to him in his home and had told him,..."
Outsiders (Us) Are Welcome in God’s Kingdom
Devo: Spiritual Warfare
"[The apostle Peter explained,] "Just then three men who had been sent from Caesarea arrived at the house where we were staying. The Holy Spirit told....."
Discovering the Character of your Church: 'Are' Values or 'Should' Values?
Article by Tim Woodroof
How do we get down to our true values? Tim Woodroof talks about the values of churches and distinguishes between the values that are and the values that churches feel like they should have.

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 11:13-14 NLT — [Peter related what Cornelius said to him:] "He told us how an angel had appeared to him in his home and had told him, 'Send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He will tell you how you and everyone in your household can be saved!'"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Author Unknown:
"When you are ready to stop bargaining, He will lead you to a place of peace and blessings."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Psalms 84:11
"Bounteous is Jehovah in his nature; to give is his delight. His gifts are beyond measure precious, and are as freely given as the light of the sun. He..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Light that Exposes Sin' (He. 12:29)
"Dear Father, who dwells in indescribable light, I want to love the Light. Your verdict is: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Giving In When You Don't Have To' (Jn. 14:29-31)
"[Jesus continued,] "I have told you these things [about my going to the Father] before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe. ...."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!