Unstoppable! 'Pushing Past the Racial Barrier' — Acts 11:19-20

Sunday, June 28, 2026

Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen's death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus.

— Acts 11:19-20 NLT

Key Thought

"However, some of the believers who..." Let those sweet words flow over you. God's directly communicating in multiple ways through the Holy Spirit, an angel, and visions was necessary to tell Cornelius to send for Peter and then to convince Peter to go to Cornelius' house, tell him and his whole household about Jesus, and baptize them. "However, some of the believers who..." refers to regular people who had been persecuted for their faith in Jesus and driven out of Jerusalem, and then they shared Jesus in the places and with the people where they were scattered. These believers shared with people regardless of their race, language, or nationality! Shouldn't we?

Today's Prayer

O God, please give me the courage and the sensitivity to share Jesus wherever you lead me and with the people to whom you send me. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

Spreading a Limited Flame
Devo: Unstoppable!
"Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen's death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of..."
The Lord's Hand Was in This!
Devo: Unstoppable!
"However, some of the believers who went to Antioch... [because of the persecution in Jerusalem] began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus....."
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.
To the Ends of the Earth
Article by James Nored & Phil Ware
God uses the most amazing connections and people to fulfill his promises to bless all people! James Nored and Phil Ware share Jesus' plan to reach all peoples, like the Ethiopian Nobleman and the people in the farthest reaches of the earth, with the goodness of grace.
See All 6 Related Resources about Acts 11:19-20

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 11:19-20 NLT — Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen's death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, June 28, 2026

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Speaking Boldly' (Ac. 4:29-31)
"[The disciples praying after Peter and John were released from jail:] "Now, Lord, ... enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out....."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'A Spoken Testimony Is a Weapon' (Re. 12:10-11)
"Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the....."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Psalm 97:10
"Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'God's Sovereign Choice' (Ro. 9:19-20)
"Dear Father, All who are descended from Israel do not belong to Israel, nor are men counted as Abraham's children by mere physical descent. You, O....."

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!