Studies In New Testament Leadership - Peter

STUDIES IN NEW TESTAMENT LEADERSHIP

Waterloo Hall 19th July 2007

PETER

All things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God. I Cor 3 v 22,23

The narrative we are using for this study extends over two chapters in Acts – from 10:1 to 11:18. This detailed account tells us about Cornelius the centurion and his conversion along with those gathered at his home. It tells us how God revealed to Peter that the Gospel was for the Gentile world as well as for Jews.

Luke will return to the story of Peter in Chapter 12, and in Chapter 15 (The Council of Jerusalem) – and from that point onwards Peter will disappear from the narrative.

You will have noticed already in our studies of Apollos and Paul that God was using these men in a critical role at a specific time.

Apollos demonstrated to us the way in which God overcomes a PARTIAL GOSPEL

Paul demonstrated how God used the weakness of Paul to address unresolved issues in the early church – a potentially COMPROMISED GOSPEL

As we turn back the pages to Peter – we see God dealing with the matter of a totally IMPARTIAL GOSPEL. But the interesting fact remains that although God revealed the spread of the Church to the gentile community to Peter – Peter was not the one who would carry that mission forward.

ONE MAN’S MINISTRY is not God’s pattern. He uses different gifts and circumstances to shape His people. His work involves a number of different workers – and if the passage in 1 Corinthians is anything to go by – they are often very different ministries.

It is also interesting to notice that over time a vision that once transformed the way the church responded to God – over time that vision was modified. The vision becomes the driving force or another minister – Paul, not Peter. This succession if you like is seen e.g. in Moses and Joshua as well.

OUTLINE

Luke’s narrative – as always – is structured carefully:

10 1-7 Cornelius has a vision of an angel

10 10-23a Peter is given a three times repeated vision …

10 23b-48 Peter visits Caesarea & the Holy Spirit comes on gentiles

11 1-18 Peter explains to the Christians at Jerusalem

In Chapter 15 Peter makes a statement at the Council in Jerusalem[1]

In Galatians Paul rebukes Peter for going back on this teaching.

God is at work in those with open hearts.
Ministry is a two-way process – giving and receiving
What has been learned has to be applied
What has been learned and applied has to be explained
The danger lies in drifting away from those hard won truths

Before we deal with each of those points let me make a very obvious observation that actually merits a series of studies of its own – we have here the Acts of the Holy Spirit in the Church. As you read Luke’s narrative you are struck by the dynamic of the Holy Spirit as He orders the affairs of enquirer and preacher alike, as He prepares for the next great phase in the spread of the Gospel – the good news to the gentile world.

1. God is at work in those with open hearts

We have Cornelius the God-fearing enquirer and Peter the committed Jew – poles apart in their world views, separated by historical oceans of discrimination.

God is at work in BOTH – melting the “iceberg”[2] of Peter’s Judaism, and firing the desire of truth that burned in Cornelius.

Luke gives us a beautiful description here of a truly original Church Home Group which sets a pattern for all to come. “A man opens his home, gathers his friends into it, has some refreshments ready, and invites a teacher to come and present the gospel to his friends.”[3]

Luke’s dramatic narrative demonstrates in a series of scenes how God is at work in both Cornelius and Peter. The minister and the recipient both experience the amazing work of God’s grace revealed by vision and by word.

The spread of the gospel is played out against a changing background – and in this narrative the contrasting neighbourhoods are Jewish and Gentile.

In this description of New Testament Leadership we see God at work where there is OPENESS OF HEART – on the part of the God-seeking centurion – and on the part of the obedient, but blinkered apostle Peter.

I suggest to you that this is going to be a PRE-REQUISITE of blessing in the church. The fellowship needs to be receptive and hungry for God’s truth and a new direction, and God’s servant is going to be equally receptive to the vision of a dramatic change of world-view.

The marks of that openness are:

In Cornelius: devout, God fearing, giving generously and praying. (2)

In Peter: praying, listening, wondering & obedient to the Holy Spirit. (9-20)

The area of God’s working was:

In Cornelius – to make up that (which like Apollos) was lacking in his knowledge

In Peter – to transform that prejudice which was his by birth and upbringing

Had either man been CLOSED OF MIND AND HEART the work would not have been done – but God is busy preparing not only visions but miracles of grace.

It is beautifully described by Luke:

Cornelius (10:33)

“Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

What a congregation!

Peter “I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.” (34,35)

You have to recognise what an immense step that is for a Jew. Two thousand years of gospel preaching have intervened and we gentiles take that as a given.

In Peter the process was interesting in so far as a threefold repetition of the vision is needed.

Vision …. Command … Reluctance … then application. (10:9-20)

I absolutely love the way the minister describes himself :

“I’m the one you’re looking for.” (33) The conclusion of a Spirit led open heart.

Presumably that is exactly the situation facing a church leadership decision – a congregation described in verse 33 and a pastor who announces himself in verse 21!

Is it possible? Openness of heart is the key.

2. Ministry is a Two-Way Process

Whilst the central part of these narratives is the vision given by God to Peter and it’s historic implications for the Church – the ministry of Peter is aptly demonstrated not just as a “teacher delivering a lecture” or a “preacher delivering a sermon” – but an EXCHANGE between Peter and Cornelius.

After Cornelius’ initial reaction is corrected:

25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

Peter shares with them a reminder of the way things are:

27 Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. …

If that had been all – it would have been a sad occasion.

But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”

30 Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

At the very beginning – before ever Peter starts his address there is a conversation – a sharing of perspectives, an explanation and an appreciation:

“It was good of you to come.” 33

Later – they will share at a deeper level as Peter, and his companions (six chosen so that the Roman ideal of seven witnesses would be realised?) observe the Holy Spirit fall upon the gathered people.

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Then Peter said, 47 “Can anyone keep these people from being baptised with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

Notice that Luke does not say that Peter was astonished. But peter is learning not only from the vision – but from the experience of breaking with tradition and entering a Gentile home – and most profoundly of all – by seeing the evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in the meeting.

When we say that ministry is a TWO-WAY PROCESS we do not mean that one is hearer and the other speaker although that may at times be true – but that God is at work in both speaker and hearer alike – and that each contributes to the work of God in the other.

Peter is not only learning the implications of the vision God gave him – but he is learning:

o How God had already been at work in Cornelius

o How seriously Cornelius regarded his ministry and anticipated the message

But also

o How God would continue to be at work in this new group of new believers

Peter knows that he has been commanded to share the word

Cornelius knows that God has commanded Peter to speak

It is a mutual recognition of a share in the ministry of God’s grace.

PETER’S SERMON

Has (arguably) seven points

and

Is interrupted by the Holy Spirit!

1 No partiality 34,35

2 The work and Person of Christ 36-38a

3 A work for those “oppressed by the devil” 38b

4 Christ crucified 39b

5 Risen – and seen by witnesses 40-41

6 The appointed Judge 42

7 (As scripture testifies) believe and receive forgiveness through His name 43

No doubt Luke has summarised it for us – but it was a comprehensive statement,

Appropriating the Gospel of the living Christ – who died for our sins – and will judge all men = repent and believe….

At which point the Holy Spirit took over.

3. What has been learned must be applied

We see this principle at work in both the preacher and the hearers. It is a fundamental of church life and spiritual development.

IN PETER

What He had learned from the beginning of His Lord is applied to himself and to his view of ministry.

What He had learned by the Holy Spirit after the Lord’s ascension – and as he applied the OT Scriptures to his understanding of the Lord’s life and work and words.

And now – being open of heart and mind to what the Spirit is leading – he must apply the vision and its meaning:

17 wondering about the meaning of the vision

19 thinking about the vision, the Spirit said….

29 I came without raising any objection

34 I now realise how true it is …

47 “Can anyone keep these people from being baptised with water?”

48 So he ordered that they be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ.

Observe the pilgrimage of the preacher!

IN CORNELIUS AND THE HEARERS

5 Send to Joppa to bring back Simon who is called Peter

8 sent them to Joppa

9 “told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say”

33 I sent immediately

We are here to listen…

44 The Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message

48 they be baptised….

Of course the Holy Spirit was at work in the very beginning – both with Cornelius and with Peter – but the culmination of the ministry is in the praising of God and the evidence of the moving Holy Spirit.

4. What has been learned and applied has to be explained

11 The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticised him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

4 Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’

8 “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

9 “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ 10 This happened three times, and then it was pulled up to heaven again.

11 “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’

15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptised with water, but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?”

18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”

The Judaist believers who accompanied Peter as witnesses took the message back to Jerusalem.

This great change was apparently received without adverse comment by the

“apostles and the brothers throughout Judaea” 11 v 1 - but when Peter returned to Jerusalem the adverse criticism (2) had to be answered. It was a matter of custom violated:

“You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

To us it seems petty and even trivial. It was not to many believing Jews.

So APOLOGETIC was required – some explanation of this great watershed in the Church’s history.

Chapter 11 details Peter’s defence:

As Peter recounts accurately (4) the events of those momentous times in detail we may sense what weight the various parts of his testimony carried with them:

I saw a vision

I heard a voice

I replied

The men had arrived

The Spirit told me

We entered the house (including the six circumcised believers)

Only in his retelling of Cornelius’ words is there any diverting from the previous statement;

‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’

5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”

The interpretation is evidence of Peter reflecting on and praying about those events.

As I began to speak the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning…. 15

Once again Peter explains how he reflected on what had happened and interpreted it in terms of what the Lord had said:

15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptised with water, but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?”

Peter is now able to draw a conclusion based upon his experience and the weight of Scripture:

17 So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?”

His hearers were convinced:

18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”

LATER – in Chapter 15 Peter would summarise what had doubtless by then been committed to notes and written form (?)

6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

Oh if only it could have moved on from there – But the sad reality is that Peter moved back on that fine statement and earned The sharp rebuke that we considered when we were studying Paul last time:

11 When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12 Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?

15 “We who are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners’ 16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no-one will be justified.

1. The danger lies in drifting away from those hard won truths

It is sad that we have to finish on a downward note.

In many ways the ministry of Peter – so respected and followed by a clique at Corinth – fades away – to be replaced by the apostle to the Gentiles – Paul.

Despite the traditions – and the status afforded him by the teachings of the Roman church there is little more – save his two letters.

Perhaps the failure of Peter to stick to the new status of gentiles in the Church explains his fading from the scene. But then it must be recalled that the other ten fade even more.

Whatever Jesus meant when he spoke about the “rock on which He built His church” it was not the rock of a compromising fisherman become apostle.

SUMMARY

We have considered three very different ministry styles: Apollos, Paul and Cephas – but I think we have learned a lot more about the varieties of style and the effects of background and circumstance upon ministry.

Remember:

All things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God. I Cor 3 v 22,23

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[1] 15 6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

[2] Ray Stedman

[3] Ibid.