Troubles, Acts 11:1-18

This post concerns the troubles Peter experienced after he baptized a Gentile.

Troubles describes how the circumcision party of baptized Jewish believers felt about eating with Gentiles, Acts 11:2-3. “So, when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

Jews felt that eating with Gentiles comprised sin.

Peter explained what had happened: He had a vision in a trance which ended with instructions from God, Acts 11:9. “‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’” At that moment, the three men from Cornilius appeared and asked for him.

The Spirit then instructed Peter to go with the men, although they were Gentiles. Peter explained that he and six brethren went to Caesarea and entered Cornelius’ house. They heard that an angel had instructed Cornelius to send for and hear what Peter had to say.

As Peter began to preach the gospel, a powerful sign occurred, Acts 11:15. “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.”

Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said, Acts 11:16-17. “And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?”

This explanation that God had initiated this action appeared to settle the matter, Acts 11:18. “When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

Thus, God told Peter and the brethren in the Jerusalem church that believing Gentiles were acceptable as saved people.

So, what did we learn?

1.Peter explained that God initiated the outreach to Gentiles.

2.The Jerusalem brethren glorified God for extending salvation to Gentiles.

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