ACTS 11. PETER’S TESTIMONY In the Jewish tradition, “brethren” was a word used relating to their common heritage. By the time Peter was called to respond to the criticism of eating with Gentiles; “apostles and brethren” were referring to Christian believers, and in this particular case, the assembly elders were called brethren. The will of God was the authority behind the work of the Gospel, and the apostles interpreted sound doctrine and exhorted those engaged specifically in the work in some way. The consent of the church as a whole was also sought in taking action.
Anything new or out of the ordinary is likely to stir up criticism and doubts in the minds of those who have become content with “what has always been done here.” When the Holy Spirit directs that something else should be done, perhaps in a different place or way, we need to be ready to listen to what is said, evaluate the purpose behind what is proposed, and the benefits that any change might bring if something is done differently.
The Jews had three tests of fidelity to the law they expected people to follow, or their Judaism would be invalidated. First, they were to keep the Sabbath day holy. That had come to mean submission to their interpretation of what is work, how much weight could be carried, how far a person could walk on the Sabbath, and a great number of man-made additions. Second, every Jewish male was to be circumcised. Third, they had developed dietary laws that went beyond the law Moses gave. Kosher foods include not just what can be eaten, but also how it is prepared and presented. Peter had violated the dietary laws by eating with Gentiles, and that brought into question his Judaism. So, he carefully and thoroughly went over the whole event of God opening the door of salvation to the Gentiles.
He had obeyed the command of the Lord by taking the Gospel into what the Jews would have considered enemy territory and had won a great victory. Now, he was being charged with acting contrary to God’s laws. In simple, easily understood words, spoken with humility and grace, Peter stated his defense.
A Spirit of Prayer, v. 5. “I was in the city of Joppa praying.” Peter did not defend what he did from a theological position but simply told the hearers, in a factual way, what happened. Those who are used to praying will always find time to pray and a place to pray. “In the city,” on the top of a house, in a closet, walking in the way – communication with God can happen in any place at any time. What is needed is a holy desire to speak with our heavenly Father and express the thoughts of our hearts. Desire for fellowship with God makes us conscious of the presence of the Lord with us. Love for Him and wanting to know and do His will, compels us to pray. We know we can confidently and respectfully speak to Him because we are His children by faith in Jesus Christ.
A Heavenly Vision, v.5. “A certain vessel descended… let down from heaven… and it came to me.” Peter recounted the vision to the apostles and brethren, which was a revelation to him of the purposes of God in relation to the Gentiles, and of his responsibility to take the Gospel to “the world.” When we pray and wait upon the Lord, not only is our strength renewed and we mount up above all the worldly experiences and expectations, but we receive divine guidance. Our weakness of uncertainty is exchanged for the strength of knowing and doing God’s will.
A Definite Commission, v.12. “The Spirit bade me go.” By going over the highlights of the vision in which God changed the dietary rules by declaring unclean animals to be edible by His cleansing, the listeners could see the work of God in the church is not merely a continuation of Judaism in a different context. Even more important was that the Gentiles could be redeemed. God’s will, was made plain. The teaching of the Lord Jesus regarding that which defiles a man becomes clearly understood. What defiles comes from within, not from without. The guidance of the Holy Spirit of God cannot be ignored. What may seem to be foolish to those who live by the ideas of the worldly wise, when the Spirit of God directs us, it is our responsibility to carry it out.
A Special Preparation, v.13-14. “He showed us how he (Cornelius) had seen an angel in his house.” Cornelius had been prepared by God for blessing through prayer. His heart was prepared “good ground” for the seed of the word of God to be planted. He was prepared for “words by which you and all your household will be saved.” The word of God, spoken in the power of the Holy Spirit, gives life because “they are spirit and they are life.” Not only was Cornelius saved, but all of those who had been influenced by that earnest seeker, were saved as well. An open heart and an open mouth to pray can lead to great blessings for many others.
A Divine Manifestation, v.15-16. “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them.” It was the Holy Spirit who had instructed Peter to go to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile. It was the Holy Spirit who moved Cornelius, who was a devout man, though not a Christian, to be ready to receive the Gospel. It was the Holy Spirit who saved those people and baptized them into the body of Christ. It was the Holy Spirit who made Jews and Gentiles into “one new man, so making peace.”
In essence, Peter was saying, “This was all a work of God. I was just doing what God said. Who was I to resist what God was doing?” He was not going to stand in the way of God reaching and saving the Gentiles. He was compelled to accept the fact that God was going to save the Gentiles on equal terms with the Jews. His point was obvious; this was all a work of God’s choice. God had taken action and used Peter to act on His behalf.
A Silencing, Question, v.17-18. “What was I, that I could withstand God?” With one precise question, Peter wrapped up the whole event. God was at work in the Gentiles without question. There was no question in anyone’s mind that this was God’s doing. He was moving Peter and the church to carry out what the Lord Jesus Christ had commissioned. He used this man of faith, Peter, who had learned humility and grace, to do His will. The hand of God was obvious, and those listeners had the grace and insight to glorify God for what He had done and what He was going to do for the Gentiles.
A whole new view of the power of the Gospel opened to their understanding. Paul wrote, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes; to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Gentiles).”
This whole matter could have developed into a serious conflict among believers, but it was solved by simply stating what had happened. It wasn’t because of Peter’s persuasive powers, authority, wisdom, or eloquent speaking. He moved the whole matter from eating at a table in fellowship with Gentiles to the fact of their salvation. When God saves a person, who puts their faith in Christ, that puts an end to restrictions in table fellowship. It is the Holy Spirit who initiates the terms and basis of fellowship.