1. “And the apostles and brethren that were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.”
What a wonderful report! The Gentiles, who by nature had no claims on divine blessing, submitted to and obeyed God’s Word. This is the only hope of blessing for man—total submission to God’s Word.
2-3. “And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.”
Sad spiritual intolerance! To these legalistic Jewish believers, the law given by Moses and Israel’s promised place of blessing as head over the Gentiles were of more importance than the sovereign grace of God. Their religious prejudices caused them to chide Peter rather than rejoice with him.
4. “But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying.”
The spirit of grace shines beautifully in Peter. He does not rebuke or argue with those who are contentious, nor does the beloved Apostle seek to mollify these legalistic brethren by sharing only the least controversial parts of the account. He expounds in order everything, exactly as it happened.
5-6. “I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.”
What a wonderful principle! Peter’s account begins with prayer. While in this vitally important attitude of dependence, Peter received divine communication. Though others may misunderstand our lives, we may walk in confidence before God in the measure in which we first kneel before Him in prayer to hear His blessed voice.
7-8. “And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.”
Peter was not trying to impress his Jewish brethren with his faithfulness. He had acted in the fear of God, seeking to please the Lord in his life, and thus could say with good conscience that nothing unclean had entered his mouth. May we seek to walk daily before our Lord with a good conscience.
9-10. “But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.”
Hearing this, those opposing Peter ought to have realized that it was God Himself, not the Apostle, with whom they were contending. It was His sovereign will to cleanse the common, giving full witness (three times). How we need to discern His mind in every detail of our lives. Knowing His will makes the path of faith clear and simple.
11-12. “And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Cæsarea unto me. And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house.”
When God is working, there is no hesitancy. The seeking Gentiles were immediately at Peter’s dwelling. Peter’s obedience gave him peace (“nothing doubting”) through the Spirit for his pathway.
We then see a most important principle acted upon. Though fully assured by the vision and by the leading of the Spirit, Peter does not go alone. He takes six brethren with him. “In the multitude of counselors there is safety.” How important that the Lord’s servants never set themselves or their service above the counsel and fellowship of their brethren!
13-14. “And he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.”
In the day of grace, the Gentiles, like the Jews, receive direct, divine communications. But, though the assembly had been formed, for the moment God still used His earthly people as the channel of blessing. Cornelius was told, however, to call not for Scribes or Pharisees, but for Peter—one who lived by faith. This strikingly illustrates the principle that without faith it is impossible to please God.
Let us remember that today God and His truth can only be revealed and known through Christianity. What a responsibility and privilege! May the glorious light of God shine ever brightly in our lives. “Let your light so shine before men” (Matt. 5:1616Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)).
15. “And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.”
God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:3434Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: (Acts 10:34))—Peter had realized this when in Cornelius’s house. The Jews’ former place of divine, earthly favor was now no longer in force. What had happened to those 120 Jewish believers at Pentecost now happened to Cornelius and his Gentile company. There was no difference in the way the Spirit came upon them nor in the results of that divine indwelling. “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him” (Rom. 10:1212For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (Romans 10:12)).
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.”
How sad to see dear believers today still bound to John’s baptism—one which was for the Jews and was to repentance of the sin and failure of God’s earthly people. The Holy Spirit formed an entirely new thing—the body of Christ—by His baptism.
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?”
Here’s a question with only one possible answer—one which by the Spirit was calculated to touch the hearts of the brethren to whom Peter was speaking.
Ed.