“Why are all these foreigners coming to our church?” Someone asked her pastor that question. How would you answer? Naturally, we are drawn to our own families and to people who share our culture. But the gospel transcends our human differences (Galatians 3:28). As a young child growing up in Germany, I learned what it was like to be a foreigner in another country. The kindness of the German people and our international church reminded me that God loves all people, especially the guests in our gates.
Remember Luke showed us that Jesus had a specific plan for his disciples to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8). The church went out in concentric circles of love, sharing the story of Jesus everywhere they went. Scattered to Samaria, Philip told the story of Jesus and many believed. These were not the first Samaritans to follow Jesus. Remember the woman at the well (John 4). The one leper out of ten healed who returned to give Jesus thanks was also a Samaritan (Luke 17:11-19).
The apostles sent Peter and John to confirm the work of God in Samaria. These new believers had not yet received the seal of the Holy Spirit. So Peter and John prayed and placed their hands on them. Immediately, these new Samaritan believers received the Holy Spirit.
Can we do this, too? I believe the first generation of Apostles, who walked with Jesus, possessed a gift that current believers may not have. Their ability to perform miracles and confirm new believers by conferring the Holy Spirit may have been unique in Christian history. But we may learn from their example. The church still needs to exercise discernment to know whether a movement in the church is really from God. We must also pray for new believers. Only God can give his Spirit. We also need to welcome new believers with the right hand of fellowship, praying for them.
From the time of the ascension, the church of Jesus has always been multicultural and international. As God brings people from around the world to our city and state, our work is to share Christ with them so that they might believe. The government must know and enforce its own rules about immigration. If churches are open to the Spirit, we may do the Great Commission making disciples right where we live. Will we? Are our hearts open to all people, or will we exclude others? We are still working out Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations.
