First does not Mean Exclusively

S - "You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. … For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’ “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets ... have spoken have foretold these days. … When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” "(Acts 3:15, 22-24, 26 NIV)

O - Peter's explanation and exhortation to the people is exclusively focused on the person, name and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus was sent to earth to clarify once for all the person and purposes of God. God "sent him first" to the Jews but not exclusively to them. Jesus was sent and given to all. To this the Scriptures have consistently witnessed and "foretold these days". The great and tragic misunderstanding of the religion of Jesus' day was that the Christ was only for those belonging to that religion. This deceptive and divisive error remains in many of the religions of our day, with Christianity sadly leading the way. It is time, as Peter points out, to "listen to everything he [i.e. Jesus] tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off".  He says: "“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." (John 10:14-16 NIV)

A - What if I/we believe Jesus about Jesus instead of someone else about Jesus? What if I/we believe Jesus about earth and not just heaven?  What if I/we decide to admit that religion is just culture and welcome God's Kingdom on earth the way they do in heaven? Intentionally, humbly and without exception. Jesus said to Nicodemus and he says to me/all: "Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?" (John 3:11-12 NIV)

P - Shepherd of the sheep and friend of sinners,

I want to welcome you and your kingdom on earth, in me and through me just like they do in heaven. I am so glad you are calling the whole world to yourself and not to a religion, cause or particular world view. Thank you for sheep from many flocks and for letting me be among them. I love you back. You lead and I'll follow.

Baaaaa:),

Steve