The Book of Acts: Discipleship In Action Pt. 49 Contention Resolved! God Glorified!
We studied through the conversion of Cornelius, his family and friends coming to Christ. In acts eleven, Peter returned to Jerusalem and he has to explain to the other apostles why he went into the home of a Gentile.
It is helpful to remember Peter's words to Cornelius.
Jews did not interact with Gentiles
Acts 10:28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
He told Cornelius that it was unlawful for him to have personal interactions with Gentiles. The words "unlawful thing" refer to rules imposed by Jewish rabbis and the Sanhedrin. Rabbi's regulations prohibited Jews from going into the home of a Gentile.
News about Gentiles hearing the gospel traveled fast
Acts 11:1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
News of the Gentiles receiving the word of God traveled fast. The apostles and disciples who still remained in Jerusalem at that time, heard reports of Peter preaching to Gentiles.
We noted that this was an example of Peter using the keys of the kingdom as Christ had commanded him to do. We also looked at a few of many scriptures promising salvation to both Jews and Gentiles.
Finally, we noted that there were deep rooted prejudices and distrust between Jews and Gentiles.
Part of this was due to rabbi's rules restricting interactions between the two groups of people.
Part of it was the Jews feeling morally superior to Gentiles, because God gave His revelation, law and promises through them.
Cornelius and his household "received" the word of God. The word received means to embrace scripture favorably, give ear to what Peter said and making God's truth your own.
Cornelius and all those with him readily, happily and enthusiastically took hold of the scriptures. They rejoiced that God provided salvation through repentant faith in Jesus Christ.
Remember the pattern I previously pointed out? The gospel of Christ advances and the church of God grows, but this is often followed with some form of attack by the Devil.
Peter challenged about going to Gentiles.
Acts 11:2,3 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 3) Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
Peter finally arrived in Jerusalem after his extended stay in Joppa and Caesarea. The news from Caesarea spread like wildfire among the Jewish Christians.
The case of the gospel reaching the Samaritans was different, for they were half Jews, though disliked. Now, Peter had taken the gospel to true, pagan Romans, the despised Gentiles.
The word "contended" means to withdraw from one, to separate one’s self with a hostile spirit, to oppose, strive with dispute, or contend.
It is a strong word that indicates there was going to be some strife and variance among the leaders of the church over this issue.
The reaction of the other apostles toward Peter, was as if they disregarded his apostolic authority conferred on him by Jesus Christ. Perhaps they forgot Jesus' words about Peter using the keys (See Matthew 16:19).
Also, they had a deep distrust of Gentiles and were strongly prejudiced against them. They were very much like the prophet Jonah, who initially refused to preach God's judgment to the Gentile city of Nineveh.
It was well known among Romans that the Jews kept themselves apart from other people. Sometimes the Jews were viewed as being haters of the human race.
Roman historian Tacitus said that the Jews hated all people except their own countrymen. They looked on Gentiles as their enemies, and refused to eat or intermarry with them.
It was the Jewish believers of the "circumcision" who contended with Peter and some of them would later go forth from Jerusalem to oppose Paul's preaching.
Isaiah prophesied that Gentiles would receive light from God.
Isaiah 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
The preaching of the gospel to Cornelius was a thing which Gentile sinners have reason to reflect upon with a great deal of joy and thankfulness.
Preaching the gospel to Cornelius began the process of bringing light from Jehovah, to Gentiles who sat in the darkness or false religion or self love or both.
Jesus removed the barriers between Jews and Gentiles.
Ephesians 2:11-12 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
God used the apostle Paul to shed light on His plan to include the Gentiles for salvation. The major problem of being a Gentile was that they were without Christ whereas, Messiah came to Israel.
They had no hope and were without God. Gentiles walked in the darkness of a pagan culture devoted to fulfilling fleshly lusts.
They were cut off from God's peculiar, chosen people, the nation of Israel. They were not part of the sheep of God's pasture and they were not His covenant people.
Jewish and Gentile (including us) believers are one in the body of Christ.
Ephesians 2:13-16 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15) Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16) And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Once again, the beautiful small conjunction "but" is used to tell us that a new direction is being set by God. He is going to do something different and unexpected.
Gentiles, who used to be out in the darkness, cut off from God, with no hope, are drawn close to God by the blood of Jesus Christ. Each person exercising repentant faith in Jesus Christ, whether a Jew or a Gentile, will be born again and adopted into the family of God!
Paul also made it clear that the ages old walls of bitterness and distrust standing between Jews and Gentiles, were broken down, torn apart and flattened by the power of the risen Christ.
Why? God is going to take two different people groups and make them one in Christ!
Thus, Peter "rehearsed" the narrative of all that God did through him at the home of Cornelius. The word "rehearsed" is related to the function of an archivist who accurately records historical events and carefully preserves them for future reference.
Acts 11:4-14 is where he retells the events.
Peter highlighted the providence of God in saving Gentiles.
Acts 11:15-18 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16) Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17) Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? 18) When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Peter wrapped up his defense of taking the gospel to the Gentiles. He told the apostles and others in Jerusalem that the Holy Ghost fell on the Gentiles just like He did on them the day of Pentecost.
The Spirit of God brought the words of Christ back into Peter's mind and he realized that God gave Gentiles the same gift that He gave Jews at the beginning of the church.
He asked them how he could possibly resist the hand of God to which they all agreed that Peter did what was right. Their arguments against the Gentiles melted away and they all rejoiced that God was going to save people from every race, every nation.
Thoughts to Ponder...
Today we probably do not think so much in terms of Jews or Gentiles. However, we are commanded to practice Biblical separation from sinners and sinful practices.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
We must be careful to live a separated life because God calls us to that. At the same time, we must have the heart of Jesus Christ toward all lost sinners. He came to seek and save the lost.
We must not compromise our testimony for Christ but we must also be ready to share gospel truth with lost people in love.
We must live in a way that honors God because our hope is in Him, not in the things of this earth.
When we live this way, people will notice and ask us about our hope. As Peter said, we must be ready to given them an answer.
We cannot let the practice of honoring God by living a separated life, cause us to become hateful or prejudiced against lost sinner. Why? Jesus died in order to save their souls from eternal condemnation.
I pray that our Lord will help us all to live for His glory and to be faithful witnesses sharing gospel truth wherever He has placed us.
Bob
Comments
Post a Comment