Pursuing Diversity

Pete Kersker - May 26, 2026

We took some time yesterday to examine some of the divisions between the Jewish people in Jesus' day. We saw that the Hebraic Jews looked down on the Hellenistic Jews and that both of these groups avoided the Samaritans. Once people started learning and believing that Jesus is the Christ, these groups came together as Christ's church.

As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord's people who lived in Lydda (Acts 9:32 NIV).

We also saw how the church grew rapidly in Jerusalem, starting at the Pentecost festival following Jesus' ascension. This would have been mostly Hebraic Jews living in and around Jerusalem. Places like Lydda were starting to get further away, where there would have been more Hellenistic Jews than Hebraic. Peter was purposefully pursuing them when he traveled to territories like this.

There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. "Aeneas," Peter said to him, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat." Immediately Aeneas got up (Acts 9:33-34 NIV).

Aeneas had a Greek name, which tells us that his parents and he were all strongly influenced by Greek culture: Hellenism. This didn't stop Peter from going to this territory. It didn't stop Peter from seeing the person...and the need. Peter brought the good news about, and blessings from, Jesus. Aeneas was healed in more than one way. He wasn't the only one.

All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord (Acts 9:35 NIV).

Did you know that the early church purposefully pursued diverse groups of people?
This strategy would have created tension. Why do you think they did this?

Do you invite people to join you at church,
even if you wouldn't normally be friends?