The apostles and other believers in Judea heard that the Gentiles had received the Word of God and the filling of the Holy Spirit, so when Peter returned to Jerusalem “those of the circumcision [Jewish believers] contended with him, saying, ‘You went in to uncircumcised men [Gentiles] and ate with them!’” (11:1-3). We can assume that they were not necessarily angered by Peter preaching Jesus to them, but they were upset that he had eaten with them. A Jew eating in the house of a Gentile signified fellowship and even Jesus was condemned by the Pharisees for this practice (Mark 2:16). The Jews had a hard time accepting Peter’s breach of a long-time Jewish custom and also embracing the Gentiles as fellow brethren.
Peter was quick to give an answer and explain to them how he had received a vision of a sheet bound in four corners containing clean and unclean animals (11:4-6). He also told them that a voice told him to “kill and eat” these animals, but at first he resisted until the voice responded to his refusal saying, “What God has cleansed you must not call common [unclean]” (11:7-10). Peter further explains that at the conclusion of the vision, three men sent by Cornelius were standing there asking him to go with them (11:11). Furthermore, the Spirit told Peter to go with them and he took six men with him to the house of Cornelius (11:12) and when Peter arrived, Cornelius detailed a vision he had received saying that Peter “will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved” (11:13-14). In conclusion, Peter informed those who were questioning his fellowship with the Gentiles that when he began speaking the word of God “the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us [Jews] at the beginning [Acts 2:1-13]” (11:15). Peter then presented those who were listening to his explanation with this question, “If God therefore gave them the same gift He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” (11:17) “When they [apostles and Jewish believers] heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, ‘Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life’” (11:18). This acknowledgment by the Jewish believers fulfilled that which was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament (Isaiah 42:1,6; 49:6). Even Simeon revealed this truth in a vision he had received about the coming Messiah (Luke 2:25-32) and Jesus evidenced the salvation which would be brought to the Gentiles when He spoke to a Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:25-26). Ultimately, we must not forget Jesus’ words to His disciples following His resurrection, “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18-20) and repeated before His ascension into heaven, “you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
It is time for the church to rise up without prejudice and be witnesses to all nations of the salvation offered to all who will repent of sin and believe in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross!
Dear God, may Your church rise up and tell the world of the mercy You have provided to them through the death of Your Son, Jesus Christ!
