Acts 11:1-18 ACCOUNTABILITY It is not uncommon for us to resist change. We become comfortable with what we know personally and have experienced. When word comes that something different is happening to someone else and it has been effective, if we are not careful, we may become skeptical about it. On the opposite side of the matter, if the Spirit of God has directed us, as He did Peter, to go somewhere else and do something that hasn't been done before as a general practice among God's people in the work of the Lord , others will question our actions - and rightly so. In order to keep us from arbitrarily acting independently for our own reason, the practice of accountability has biblical precedent behind it. We are accountable to God. We are accountable to our assembly, to our fellow workers, to the believers in the area where we are laboring and to the unbelievers to faithfully declare the unchanging word of God. The message never changes. Methods may change to suit the place and occasion as long as they are not contrary to the revealed word of God.
When Peter returned from Caesarea where Cornelius and those in his house were reached with God's salvation by grace, it was only right that he should give an explanation to those who doubted the actions he took. By rehearsing the whole chain of events to those brethren, and carefully pointing out to them the most salient points of the matter to the skeptics, the whole event became a very positive thing instead of being controversial. The residual effects of Judaism were not completely finished, but clarification by Peter officially settled the matter. True, there were still those who clung to the old traditions and thought they were necessary and caused problems from time to time. That will happen still in our day and we will not be able to entirely avoid some differences of opinion. But as far as the work of the Spirit of God that is seen in an area, that is indisputable.
Accountability to God is our first responsibility. When we have been directed by God to do a work for Him, that is not to be refused. We are incapable of knowing all that God has planned, but we are not only able, but obligated to act upon divine direction. In the same recorded incident, we learn that Peter was accountable to the believers in Joppa, so are we in whatever local assembly we are linked to at the time. Peter wisely took six brethren with him to this new venture. To act independently, in an area we are visiting is entirely inappropriate. The people of that area live there and will be there after we are gone. We are accountable to them to inform them of our interest and plans, and to make sure they are a part of what we do as much as possible.
In the same way Peter was accountable to clearly present the Gospel to the unsaved Gentiles in Cornelius' house, so we are to the unbelievers to whom God sends us. They have the right to know the Gospel, even though at the time they may not understand their need of it. We fail them it we do not give them a clear, precise presentation of the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ and their need of Him and His salvation to save them from the consequences of their sin. It is wrong for us to leave them without hope.
Not all of the people in our home assembly will understand, or maybe even agree with, the work we do. But they do have the right to know what we have done, are doing and plan to do in the future. We are one of them. We are members in that body of saints. What I do affects them. For that reason, they have the right to know the purpose behind the things I do. Peter carefully went over all the things that led up to this opening of the work of God in Caesarea. He told of his own exercise in prayer and how God spoke to him. He told of Cornelius' experience with God before he was saved. He spoke of the fact that six other Jewish believers were there to bear witness to the whole important event. Most importantly he told of the actions of the Holy Spirit when he was speaking to the Gentiles in that house. Even though the Jerusalem brothers had questions about the rightness of the situation at first, when they heard of the actions of God in the matter that could be verified by witnesses, their criticisms were silenced and praise to God for opening the door to the Gentiles resulted.
It is possible for people to be inclined to accept only what they have experienced or what appeals to them. We have to be careful that our own personal agenda does not conflict with what God is doing. Those Jerusalem brethren has not previously considered that God was now fulfilling in their own day and in their own place that which had been prophesied hundreds of years before. God was making His "name great among all nations." The same Holy Spirit who had identified them as believers, now identified Gentile believers in the same way. The Gospel preached in Jerusalem was affirmed by the Holy Spirit. The same thing had been demonstrated in Samaria, and now had been seen at Caesarea in the Gentile believers. There was no question - God's saving grace had reached to Gentiles who were not even Jewish proselytes. The Gospel is truly "unto all."
When questions arise in minds, but yet with words are still unsaid, There are potential problems that with our imaginations are being fed. A word to the wise is this, when something is new - give explanations That will calm the suspicions people have, and avoid useless agitations.
Explain clearly what moved you to act in a way unexpected. Carefully point out the fact that truth was well protected. When God gives directions, then act with witnesses two or more, Then distinctly defend your actions when you are given the floor.
Tell how God has led you to do the work in which you're involved. Give scriptural backing for your action so an issue is easily resolved. Don't apologize for what is right, but with grace speak the truth, Acknowledging the skeptics' reserve with dignity for what it is worth.
Accountability has reasons why it should kindly be given. We are not independent when we speak for the kingdom of heaven. Respectfully point out the fact the Spirit said not to doubt God in infinite wisdom knows exactly what you are about.
To those we represent or to those who give us their support. We are accountable, and they deserve a full report Of what we have done and of what we are intending to do. Their moral and spiritual support will be there when you are through.
We are not free to do just what we want in our tasks; A reasonable report should be given when we're asked. Fellowship with God and men both need to be nourished By those at home, so by those who go out, the work will flourish.
"Gracious Father, the kindness of God's people is very manifest to me. They support us in prayer, finances and in faith. May this servant never let them down. Keep me faithful to them and to Thee. I yield myself to Thee again this morning - to do Thy will and work with vigor and commitment. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."