(All Bible texts are in the NKJV Bible unless otherwise indicated)
38 Then
Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to
your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God
will call.
9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
5 And
there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation
under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came
together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his
own language.7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one
another, Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it
that we hear, each in our own language in which we were
born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia,
Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt
and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews
and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs–we hear them speaking in our own
tongues the wonderful works of God.
12 So they were all amazed and
perplexed, saying to one another, Whatever could this mean?
13 Others mocking said, They are full of new wine.
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 ;And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in heaven above
And signs in the earth beneath:
Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
21 And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved.
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in heaven above
And signs in the earth beneath:
Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
21 And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved.
22 Men
of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God
to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your
midst, as you yourselves also know– 23 Him, being delivered by the
determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless
hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having
loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be
held by it.
33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:
The Lord said to my Lord,
Sit at My right hand,
35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.
36 Therefore
let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this
Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.
38 Then
Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to
your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God
will call.
11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
14 But when I saw that they
were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter
before them all, If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles
and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?
10 There
was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was
called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with
all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed
to God always. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a
vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, Cornelius!
4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, lord?
So
he said to him, Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial
before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname
is Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the
sea. He will tell you what you must do.
7 And when the angel who spoke
to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a
devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. 8 So
when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
23 Then he invited them in and lodged them.
On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
24 And
the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for
them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As
Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and
worshiped him.26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, Stand up; I myself am
also a man.
27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many
who had come together.28 Then he said to them, You know how unlawful it
is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another
nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or
unclean. 29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent
for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?
30 So
Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the
ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in
bright clothing, 31 and said,
Cornelius, your prayer has been heard,
and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to
Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the
house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to
you.
33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come.
Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things
commanded you by God.
34 Then
Peter opened his mouth and said: In truth I perceive that God shows no
partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works
righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the
children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ–He is Lord of
all– 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea,
and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God
anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who
went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil,
for God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did
both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by
hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him
openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by
God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the
dead.42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that
it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the
dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever
believes in Him will receive remission of sins.
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter
answered, 47 Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized
who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?
48 And he commanded
them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to
stay a few days.
In the course of his ministry the apostle Peter visited the believers at Lydda. Here he healed Aeneas, who for eight years had been confined to his bed with palsy. "Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole," the apostle said; "arise, and make thy bed." "He arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord."
At Joppa, which was near Lydda, there lived a woman named Dorcas, whose good deeds had made her greatly beloved. She was a worthy disciple of Jesus, and her life was filled with acts of kindness. She knew who needed comfortable clothing and who needed sympathy, and she freely ministered to the poor and the sorrowful. Her skillful fingers were more active than her tongue.
"And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died." The church in Joppa realized their loss, and hearing that Peter was at Lydda, the believers sent messengers to him, "desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them." In view of the life of service that Dorcas had lived, it is little wonder that they mourned, that warm teardrops fell upon the inanimate day.
The apostle's heart was touched with sympathy as he beheld their sorrow. Then, directing that the weeping friends be sent from the room, he kneeled down and prayed fervently to God to restore Dorcas to life and health. Turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up." Dorcas had been of great service to the church, and God saw fit to bring her back from the land of the enemy, that her skill and energy might still be a blessing to others, and also that by this manifestation of His power the cause of Christ might be strengthened.
It was while Peter was still at Joppa that he was called by God to take the gospel to Cornelius, in Caesarea.
Cornelius was a Roman centurion. He was a man of wealth and noble birth, and his position was one of trust and honor. A heathen by birth, training, and education, through contact with the Jews he had gained a knowledge of God, and he worshiped Him with a true heart, showing the sincerity of his faith by compassion to the poor. He was known far and near for his beneficence, and his righteous life made him of good repute among both Jews and Gentiles.
His influence was a blessing to all with whom he came in contact. The inspired record describes him as "a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway."
Believing in God as the Creator of heaven and earth, Cornelius revered Him, acknowledged His authority, and sought His counsel in all the affairs of life. He was faithful to Jehovah in his home life and in his official duties. He had erected the altar of God in his home, for he dared not attempt to carry out his plans or to bear his responsibilities without the help of God.
Though Cornelius believed the prophecies and was looking for the Messiah to come, he had not a knowledge of the gospel as revealed in the life and death of Christ. He was not a member of the Jewish church and would have been looked upon by the rabbis as a heathen and unclean. But the same Holy Watcher who said of Abraham, "I know him," knew Cornelius also, and sent a message direct from heaven to him.
The angel appeared to Cornelius while he was at prayer. As the centurion heard himself addressed by name, he was afraid, yet he knew that the messenger had come from God, and he said, "What is it, Lord?" The angel answered, "Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside."
The explicitness of these directions, in which was named even the occupation of the man with whom Peter was staying, shows that Heaven is acquainted with the history and business of men in every station of life. God is familiar with the experience and work of the humble laborer, as well as with that of the king upon his throne.
"Send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon." Thus God gave evidence of His regard for the gospel ministry and for His organized church. The angel was not commissioned to tell Cornelius the story of the cross. A man subject, even as the centurion himself, to human frailties and temptations, was to be the one to tell him of the crucified and risen Saviour.
As His representatives among men, God does not choose angels who have never fallen, but human beings, men of like passions with those they seek to save. Christ took humanity that He might reach humanity. A divine-human Saviour was needed to bring salvation to the world. And to men and women has been committed the sacred trust of making known "the unsearchable riches of Christ." Ephesians 3:8.
In His wisdom the Lord brings those who are seeking for truth into touch with fellow beings who know the truth. It is the plan of Heaven that those who have received light shall impart it to those in darkness. Humanity, drawing its efficiency from the great Source of wisdom, is made the instrumentality, the working agency, through which the gospel exercises its transforming power on mind and heart.
34 Then
Peter opened his mouth and said: In truth I perceive that God shows no
partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works
righteousness is accepted by Him.
11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
14 But when I saw that they
were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter
before them all, If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles
and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as
Jews?15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the
Gentiles, 16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law
but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus,
that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of
the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.
14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.
14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusingthem) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.
34 Then
Peter opened his mouth and said: In truth I perceive that God shows no
partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works
righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the
children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ–He is Lord of
all– 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea,
and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God
anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who
went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil,
for God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did
both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by
hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him
openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by
God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the
dead.42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that
it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the
dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever
believes in Him will receive remission of sins.
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
9 The
next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter
went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 Then he became
very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a
trance11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound
at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In
it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts,
creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to
him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.
14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.
15 And
a voice spoke to him again the second time, What God has cleansed you
must not call common.
16 This was done three times. And the object was
taken up into heaven again.
17 Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. 18 And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.
19 While
Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three
men are seeking you. 20 Arise therefore, go down and go with them,
doubting nothing; for I have sent them.
21 Then Peter went down
to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius,and said, Yes, I am
he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?
22 And they
said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a
good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely
instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words
from you.
11 Now
the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had
also received the word of God. 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!
4 But Peter explained it to
them in order from the beginning, saying: 5 I was in the city of Joppa
praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a
great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to
me.6 When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed
animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the
air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me,
Rise, Peter; kill and
eat.
8 But I said, Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at
any time entered my mouth.
9 But the voice answered me again from
heaven, What God has cleansed you must not call common.
10 Now this
was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.
43 So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.
32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.
17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree,
15 And
certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, Unless you
are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be
saved.
2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and
dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain
others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders,
about this question.
3 So, being sent on their way by the church,
they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of
the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. 4 And when
they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the
apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done
with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up,
saying, It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to
keep the law of Moses.
6 Now the
apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when
there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them:
Men andbrethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us,
that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and
believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them
the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction
between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore,
why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which
neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that
through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same
manner as they.
12 Then all the multitude kept silent and
listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders
God had worked through them among the Gentiles. 13 And after they had
become silent, James answered, saying, Menand brethren, listen to
me: 14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to
take out of them a people for His name. 15 And with this the words of
the prophets agree, just as it is written:
16 After this I will return
And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down;
I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will set it up;
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name,
Says the Lord who does all these things.
18 Known
to God from eternity are all His works. 19 Therefore I judge that we
should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to
God,20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by
idols, fromsexual immorality, from things strangled,
and from blood. 21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those
who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every
Sabbath.
22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely,Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.
23 They wrote this letter by them:
The apostles, the elders, and the brethren,
To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:
Greetings.
24 Since
we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with
words, unsettling your souls, saying, You must be circumcised and keep
the law
–to whom we gave no such commandment– 25 it seemed good to us,
being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our
beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and
Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it
seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater
burden than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things
offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual
immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.
Farewell.
30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. 32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. 33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.
34 However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. 35 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Jew and Gentile,pp. 188–200, in The Acts of the Apostles.
At Jerusalem the delegates from Antioch met the brethren of the various churches, who had gathered for a general meeting, and to them they related the success that had attended their ministry among the Gentiles. They then gave a clear outline of the confusion that had resulted because certain converted Pharisees had gone to Antioch declaring that, in order to be saved, the Gentile converts must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses.
This question was warmly discussed in the assembly. Intimately connected with the question of circumcision were several others demanding careful study. One was the problem as to what attitude should be taken toward the use of meats offered to idols. Many of the Gentile converts were living among ignorant and superstitious people who made frequent sacrifices and offerings to idols. The priests of this heathen worship carried on an extensive merchandise with the offerings brought to them, and the Jews feared that the Gentile converts would bring Christianity into disrepute by purchasing that which had been offered to idols, thereby sanctioning, in some measure, idolatrous customs.
Again, the Gentiles were accustomed to eat the flesh of animals that has been strangled, while the Jews had been divinely instructed that when beasts were killed for food, particular care was to be taken that the blood should flow from the body; otherwise the meat would not be regarded as wholesome. God had given these injunctions to the Jews for the purpose of preserving their health. The Jews regarded it as sinful to use blood as an article of diet. They held that the blood was the life, and that the shedding of blood was in consequence of sin.
The Gentiles, on the contrary, practiced catching the blood that flowed from the sacrificial victim and using it in the preparation of food. The Jews could not believe that they ought to change the customs they had adopted under the special direction of God. Therefore, as things then stood, if Jew and Gentile should attempt to eat at the same table, the former would be shocked and outraged by the latter.
The Gentiles, and especially the Greeks, were extremely licentious, and there was danger that some, unconverted in heart, would make a profession of faith without renouncing their evil practices. The Jewish Christians could not tolerate the immorality that was not even regarded as criminal by the heathen. The Jews therefore held it as highly proper that circumcision and the observance of the ceremonial law should be enjoined on the Gentile converts as a test of their sincerity and devotion. This, they believed, would prevent the addition to the church of those who, adopting the faith without true conversion of heart, might afterward bring reproach upon the cause by immorality and excess.
The various points involved in the settlement of the main question at issue seemed to present before the council insurmountable difficulties. But the Holy Spirit had, in reality, already settled this question, upon the decision of which seemed to depend the prosperity, if not the very existence, of the Christian church.
"When there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe." He reasoned that the Holy Spirit had decided the matter under dispute by descending with equal power upon the uncircumcised Gentiles and the circumcised Jews. He recounted his vision, in which God had presented before him a sheet filled with all manner of four-footed beasts and had bidden him kill and eat. When he refused, affirming that he had never eaten that which was common or unclean, the answer had been, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." Acts 10:15.
Peter related the plain interpretation of these words, which was given him almost immediately in his summons to go to the centurion and instruct him in the faith of Christ. This message showed that God was no respecter of persons, but accepted and acknowledged all who feared Him. Peter told of his astonishment when, in speaking the words of truth to those assembled at the home of Cornelius, he witnessed the Holy Spirit taking possession of his hearers, Gentiles as well as Jews. The same light and glory that was reflected upon the circumcised Jews shone also upon the faces of the uncircumcised Gentiles. This was God's warning that Peter was not to regard one as inferior to the other, for the blood of Christ could cleanse from all uncleanness.
Once before, Peter had reasoned with his brethren concerning the conversion of Cornelius and his friends, and his fellowship with them. As he on that occasion related how the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles he declared, "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?" Acts 11:17. Now, with equal fervor and force, he said: "God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?" This yoke was not the law of Ten Commandments, as some who oppose the binding claims of the law assert; Peter here referred to the law of ceremonies, which was made null and void by the crucifixion of Christ.
Peter's address brought the assembly to a point where they could listen with patience to Paul and Barnabas, who related their experience in working for the Gentiles. "All the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them."
James also bore his testimony with decision, declaring that it was God's purpose to bestow upon the Gentiles the same privileges and blessings that had been granted to the Jews.
The Holy Spirit saw good not to impose the ceremonial law on the Gentile converts, and the mind of the apostles regarding this matter was as the mind of the Spirit of God. James presided at the council, and his final decision was, "Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God."
This ended the discussion. In this instance we have a refutation of the doctrine held by the Roman Catholic Church that Peter was the head of the church. Those who, as popes, have claimed to be his successors, have no Scriptural foundation for their pretensions. Nothing in the life of Peter gives sanction to the claim that he was elevated above his brethren as the vicegerent of the Most High. If those who are declared to be the successors of Peter had followed his example, they would always have been content to remain on an equality with their brethren.
In this instance James seems to have been chosen as the one to announce the decision arrived at by the council. It was his sentence that the ceremonial law, and especially the ordinance of circumcision, should not be urged upon the Gentiles, or even recommended to them. James sought to impress the minds of his brethren with the fact that, in turning to God, the Gentiles had made a great change in their lives and that much caution should be used not to trouble them with perplexing and doubtful questions of minor importance, lest they be discouraged in following Christ.
The Gentile converts, however, were to give up the customs that were inconsistent with the principles of Christianity. The apostles and elders therefore agreed to instruct the Gentiles by letter to abstain from meats offered to idols, from fornication, from things strangled, and from blood. They were to be urged to keep the commandments and to lead holy lives. They were also to be assured that the men who had declared circumcision to be binding were not authorized to do so by the apostles.
28 Then he said to
them, You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with
or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not
call any man common or unclean.
14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusingthem) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
15 And
certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, Unless you
are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be
saved.
2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and
dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain
others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders,
about this question.
3 So, being sent on their way by the church,
they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of
the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. 4 And when
they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the
apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done
with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up,
saying, It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to
keep the law of Moses.
6 Now the
apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when
there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them:
Men andbrethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us,
that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and
believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them
the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction
between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore,
why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which
neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that
through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same
manner as they.
12 Then all the multitude kept silent and
listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders
God had worked through them among the Gentiles. 13 And after they had
become silent, James answered, saying, Menand brethren, listen to
me: 14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to
take out of them a people for His name. 15 And with this the words of
the prophets agree, just as it is written:
16 After this I will return
And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down;
I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will set it up;
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name,
Says the Lord who does all these things.
18 Known
to God from eternity are all His works. 19 Therefore I judge that we
should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to
God,20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by
idols, fromsexual immorality, from things strangled,
and from blood. 21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those
who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every
Sabbath.
22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely,Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.
23 They wrote this letter by them:
The apostles, the elders, and the brethren,
To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:
Greetings.
24 Since
we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with
words, unsettling your souls, saying, You must be circumcised and keep
the law
–to whom we gave no such commandment– 25 it seemed good to us,
being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our
beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and
Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it
seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater
burden than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things
offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual
immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.
Farewell.
30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. 32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. 33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.
34 However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. 35 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.