Acts #12

Peter’s explanation

Thank you guys, and thank you Kristi & Eloise for that wonderful music, but before we continue in our studies of the book of Acts tonight, please if you would:

“Join me in a word of prayer.”

I’ve entitled tonight’s message, Peter’s explanation

Read the first 18 verses of chapter 11.

After staying a few days with Cornelius in Caesarea, Peter went back to Jerusalem. He immediately received criticism from the Jewish believers for visiting and eating with Gentiles. Notice verses 2 and 3. (“2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”) This accusation is somewhat reminiscent of the ones Jesus had regularly received from the Jewish religious leaders for eating with tax collectors and sinners, the only difference being they were fellow Jews.

In his explanation, Peter started from the beginning and reviewed his vision, Cornelius’s visit from the angel, the coming of the Holy Spirit to the Gentile believers, and the decision that was made to baptize them, that’s explained in verses 4-17. He repeatedly emphasized the work of God and the Holy Spirit as instrumental in bringing about the events.

Peter was very persuasive, and his critics relented and praised God. Notice verse 18. (“18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”). As hard as it was to understand and acknowledge at the time, God was offering salvation to the Gentiles, as well as the nation of Israel . And if God was removing the distinctions between Jews and Gentiles, what right did Peter or anyone else have to harbor old prejudices? The dispute at the time, was settled, but it took 14 years for it to really sink in for Peter and the disciples. As we will see when we get to chapter 15 of our study. It would take those 14 years and many additional debates to work through all the obstacles for allowing Gentiles the same rights and privileges as the Jewish members of church, the body of Christ.

At this point Luke goes back to the persecution following the stoning of Stephen and follows a different storyline. He begins by telling about Philip’s ministry, Saul’s conversion, and Peter’s outreach to the Gentiles. All essential to the history of the beginning of the church as we know it today. This would be a good time for me to give you something to consider. Most bible scholars teach that the church as we know it today started on the day of Pentecost, back in Acts chapter 2. But I strongly disagree. It’s my opinion, and notice I said my opinion, however scripture clearly shows us, that the church as we know it today didn’t begin until the ministry of the Apostle Paul................................................

But meanwhile, noteworthy events were taking place in Syrian Antioch.

Antioch was the third largest city in the Roman world, after Rome and Alexandria. It lay three hundred miles north of Jerusalem, and about fifteen miles inland from the Mediterranean Sea. Its population was estimated to be between 5 and 8 hundred thousand containing about one hundred thousand Jews. It was here where some of the victims of the persecution in Jerusalem had settled and taught that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah, speaking however, only to other Jews. Notice verses 19 -21. (“19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.”). Explain Hellenist (Greek speaking Jews) other translations.

News of the excitement and growth of the Jewish believers in Antioch reached all the way to the believers in Jerusalem. They responded by sending Barnabas to oversee the newly forming Hebrew church. Here is yet another overwhelmingly positive description of Barnabas as we see in other portions of the book of Acts: a good man, full of the Holy Spirit, and full of faith as verse 24 tells us. He encouraged the Antioch believers and rejoiced with them.

Tarsus, where Saul/Paul was staying , was about ninety miles away, yet Barnabas went to invite him to Antioch as well. The two were ideal for working among the believers, and they spent an entire year with them in Antioch. Notice verses 25 and 26. (“25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”) Tradition indicates that Luke was from Antioch, so it is possible that he was among the new converts who learned of the truth of Jesus from the lips of Barnabas and Saul during this time. However, scripture doesn’t exactly state this.

It was in Antioch where believers in Jesus were first called Christians as verse 26 tells us. The distinction of belonging to Christ’s party, or being Christ followers, as the word Christian implies, would begin to distinguish the group of believers. Until this point, Christianity had been perceived as a sect and a part of Judaism. Reference to the word Christian occurs only three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).

The Jews believed the spirit of prophecy had been suspended after the Old Testament writing prophets, and was to be renewed again in the coming messianic age. So early Christians not only acknowledged Jesus as a prophet (3:22; 7:37), but also recognized prophecy as a gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:28). And prophets operated throughout the early church. However, Paul tells us that prophecy will cease in 1 Corinthians 13:8-9. Let’s look at it, (8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.) Explain these verses:

The genuine faith of the believers in Antioch was evident from their willingness to give to the believers in Jerusalem. Notice verses 29 and 30. (“29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.”). The Jerusalem believers had generously shared their leaders to assist the growth of those in Antioch. Now the Antioch Christians were supporting the Jerusalem believers financially. This is the first biblical mention of the role of “elders”. The word can mean simply older men, though in this context it seems to refer to overseers or officers. They would be the ones responsible for distributing the gift that had been sent to them. Jewish synagogues employed elders, and it seems that the position was adopted by the Christian believers as well.

Conclusion:

Looking back, Cornelius and Peter were very different people. Yet as they each responded to God’s direction, they got together and both learned more about God as a result. Do you know anyone who has a very different view of God than you do? If so, do you make the most of opportunities to interact and learn more about his or hers opinions of spiritual things? You might not agree with most, or maybe any, of what they believe. But sometimes the very act of discussing spiritual matters without showing prejudice will get them thinking and be a possible catalyst for their spiritual growth. And perhaps for yous as well.

Lets pray together:

Invitation:

As Kristi and Eloise are getting us ready to sing our last hymn tonight, and as we’re considering all the things we’ve learned together, about the beginning of the church in the book of Acts, and if you have never honored God by asking Him to save you from what we all deserve, which is spiritual death, this would be the perfect time to do just that. God has made that so easy for us to do. The Bible says that anyone, and I do mean anyone, who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus “SHALL BE SAVED”. It doesn’t matter what your past may look like. The Lord just cares about your future. And He wants everyone to spend that future with Him in heaven, forever. Don’t wait another second. If you have any doubt at all about your eternal security, or what’s going to happen to you when you die physically, I beg you to get it settled right now. Don’t wait another second. Get it taken care of right this minute, right here,----- just quietly, ----- with your eyes closed, ----- with your heads bowed, ----- and with your heart’s toward God, ----- just pray a little prayer like this......just pray......Lord, thank you that you love me. I am a sinner, in need of a savior. I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins and for the sins of the whole world. I also believe that after three days He was raised from the dead by Your power, so that I also may live in newness of life. Save me Lord, so I may live the rest of my life for You.----- The Bible says if you prayed a simple little prayer like this “you will be saved”.

Please, as we’re singing our last hymn tonight, and if you still need too, just pray that little prayer I mentioned as we sing. And God will save you !! Lets sing together.