#1572 Acts 11 Part 1 Double Down

 

Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those who were circumcised took issue with him, 3 saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began speaking and proceeded to explain to them in orderly sequence, saying, 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object coming down like a great sheet lowered by four corners from heaven, and it came right down to me, 6 and when looking closely at it, I was observing it and saw the four-footed animals of the earth and the wild beasts and the crawling creatures and the birds of the sky. 7 And I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise up, Peter; slaughter and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord, for nothing defiled or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But a voice from heaven answered a second time, ‘What God has cleansed, no longer consider defiled.’ 10 And this happened three times, and everything was drawn back up into heaven. 11 And behold, immediately three men appeared at the house in which we were, having been sent to me from Caesarea. 12 And the Spirit told me to go with them without taking issue at all. These six brothers also went with me and we entered the man’s house. 13 And he reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and summon Simon, who is also called Peter; 14 and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could prevent God’s way?” 18 And when they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.” Acts 11: 1-18 LSB

Acts 11: 1-18

Vs. 1-11 Those who were circumcised took issue with him - This mirrors the last chapter, and rather than saying that they took issue, but then Peter told them what went down, it repeats what happened line by line. I think this is to express the significance of what was being taught, that the Gentiles were also to be considered a mission field. Now we can go back into the same writings from the law and the prophets that they had, and we can see that God intended to bless all the nations of the earth through Isaac, and this is before Israel had even been born, but practicing Jews didn't see it that way. They had extrabiblical writings from their scribes that made it fashionable and even lawful to hate gentiles. When they heard that Samaritans had received the word they sent two of the church fathers, Peter and John to evaluate the situation. Samaritans were considered half breeds, and many Jews went out of the way to avoid going there. So a lot is being turned upside down for them, walls are being torn down, and we already saw Peter's reluctance in the chapter before. This is also a time when the New Testament had not yet been established, so you have the office of prophets, and you have these twelve pillars of the church, men who studied under Jesus, who are writing, verifying and putting all this stuff together. So naturally, if something big like this is happening, then those who had been given the authority, handed the keys of the kingdom, would be called upon to check it out. Theirs was the gospel, to proclaim and defend against all attacks, and the attacks were coming. Satan will not lie silent when he sees gentiles leave their gods and practices, all of which he loves, even if they don't pray or sacrifice to him directly, anything that goes against the true God is much more favorable to him. 

…14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 On their arrival, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit. 16For the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.… Acts 8: 14-16

…18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20Then He admonished the disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ.… Matthew 16: 18-20

V. 12 These six brothers also went with me - Peter obeyed the command of the Holy Spirit and went with these men. He also took 6 other Christian brothers with him. People often ask today, "does the Spirit still guide us?" Yes, not in the hokey sense of those who want to tell you they have a message from God for you all the time, but what has the Spirit inspired? The word of God, which you have access to, are you reading it? He changes the heart's priorities and loyalties as well. Men and women are still moved today with an unquenchable desire to share the gospel abroad, and so they enter the mission field. If it is of the Spirit, then with the call that men say they have to the pulpit, also there is with it and before it, a call to holiness. It is the Holy Spirit Who convicts us of sin and calls us to repentance. It is also the Holy Spirit Who teaches us in God's word. Remember, things aren't true because the person saying it has the title of pastor, he has to find the Author's intent, and you still are responsible, like noble Bereans, to examine what he says against the light of Scripture. Think about it, how do you have the mind of Christ? You have His word. 

…12I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it. 13However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.… John 16: 12-14

…14The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment. 16“For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.… 1 Corinthians 2: 14-16

…26I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His TRUE and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught. 28And now, little children, remain in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.… 1 John 2: 26-28

…15From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.… 2 Timothy 3: 15-17

…20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. 21For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1: 20-21

John MacArthur has an interesting note on six brethren - He took six people with him. Why? Because he didn’t want to be mistaken in what was going on. He wanted the testimony of six others to confirm his own. The Jews knew well Egyptian law and Egyptian law said that where there are seven witnesses the case is closed. And Roman law said that on any will or any testament there had to be seven seals, so seven became a number of sealing the authoritativeness of something. (ED: PETER + SIX = SEVEN. INTERESTING) - Precept Austin

Vs. 13-14 And he will speak words to you by which you will be saved - And here we are, the gospel, all else is secondary. God has chosen to send His message by way of fragile creatures. Why didn't the angel give Cornelius the gospel? The church is built upon Christ as the cornerstone, Christ Who became man. He started His church with the Apostles, and then through the proclamation of His word He builds upon this foundation with all those that the Father has given Him, throughout time. We don't know who is marked by God for salvation, and so we tell our family first, then friends, coworkers, and as we read God's word and recount the gospel daily we grow in our ability to speak and trust Him with the results. This has been God's design all along. He set Israel apart, gave them a nation, gave them prophets, then priest and the temple, gave them His law. Men have all failed according to the law, but what the Scriptures have taught us, since the fall in the garden, is that God had a plan in Christ. The gospel is us making the world aware of sin, of God's holiness and eternal wrath towards sin and those who remain in it, but also aware of salvation, that Seed of the woman has come, that Christ has taken the penalty of sin and is offering salvation to all who believe in Him. 

And he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household - This detail is not mentioned in Acts 10:32 which only says "send to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you." Here we discover that the angel had explained to Cornelius why he was to send for Peter -- Peter would bring the message of salvation. We also learn that the angel describes (? prophesies or promises) that not only would Cornelius be saved but so would all his household. This latter detail would most likely explain why Cornelius "had called together his relatives and close friends" (see note Acts 10:24). Even though he himself was yet unsaved, he wanted to share this incredible gift with not just his household but his close friends. This is an amazing and convicting thought -- here is a man not yet saved who is showing a zealous "evangelistic" mindset! How sad that so many who have received the incredible gift of salvation fail to demonstrate anything even close to this pagan's "evangelistic mindset!" We who have experienced every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ should surely be motivated to share this with all our yet unsaved household and close friends and not so close friends. Of course it is always much easier sharing with total strangers than close associates, because if they refuse the invitation of the Gospel of their salvation, we still have to interact with them and that interaction might become a bit "cold" (or even worse). Let's face it, we fear men and we fear their rejection! If we feared God more and feared more for their "rejection" by Him which will result in their eternal destruction in hell, we might be more motivated to share the Gospel despite the "cost!"

As an aside be a Berean when you read commentaries (including this one) because there are some commentaries that actually say Cornelius was actually saved before Peter's visit to this house and his proclamation of the Gospel. For example..

ESV Study Bible note says "Some think this implies that Cornelius was saved for the first time here. Others think he previously had saving faith (as a Gentile “God-fearer” looking forward to the Messiah), but that this meant he would experience the fullness of new covenant salvation in Christ when he heard the gospel message (see notes on 10:2; 10:35)."

COMMENT: THERE IS NO AMBIGUITY IN ACTS 10-11. THE TRUTH IS CLEAR - CORNELIUS WAS NOT SAVED! THAT IS WHY THE ANGEL TOLD HIM TO SEND FOR PETER! HE NEEDED TO HEAR THE GOSPEL, WITHOUT WHICH NO MAN IS SAVED! THAT IS THE GOSPEL TRUTH. - Precept Austin

…14How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” 16But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”… 

17Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. 18But I ask, did they not hear? Indeed they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”… Romans 10: 14-18

V. 15 The Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did us at the beginning - So here's Peter's bar, and again we are back to Acts 2. It would be good for us to pay attention to this on other notes as well, like when dealing with our charismatic friends. In Acts 2, when the Spirit fell on them, they spoke in other tongues, languages that they had not previously learned, but were known by those with whom they were sharing the gospel. 

6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. 1 Corinthians 14: 6-12

Vs. 16-18 Who was I to say - With much scrutiny, and even reluctance, Peter evaluates the work and can only credit the Holy Spirit. He must confess that the church does not belong to him, that he is a servant of Christ, and that it is God's will to bring in the Gentiles. 

…5And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, that Israel might be gathered to Him—for I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and My God is My strength— 6He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.” 7Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, to Him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the Servant of rulers: “Kings will see You and rise, and princes will bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen You.”… Isaiah 49: 5-7