November 23, Acts 11
The news from Cornelius’ house got back to Jerusalem before Peter did. The critics were waiting for him. (Expect criticism from people who don’t want change when you do something innovative for the Lord.) Their prejudice was clear. They did not accuse him of baptizing Gentiles; they criticized him for eating with uncircumcised Gentiles. Peter told them about his vision, Cornelius’ angel visitor, and the Holy Spirit falling on Gentiles, just as he had done on Jews at Pentecost. Peter concluded with a good
question: “Who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” He realized that Gentile inclusiveness was coming straight from the Lord, and that he could not set God’s agenda or limit God’s plan.
This is the same Peter who a few years earlier told Jesus the cross was never going to happen. When the Lord spoke of his approaching death and resurrection, Peter rebuked him for saying such things. Jesus’ words must have stung Peter as his Master told him, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting you mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” That wasn’t Peter’s last impulsive remark, but he learned from the experience. Peter had to get used to associating with Gentiles. When he realized it was God’s plan, he knew better than to stand in the way.
After Peter’s explanation, the critics stopped criticizing their brother and started praising God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” The leaders had to learn the lesson and live it before the followers could embrace it. Massive expansion into the Gentile world was coming. Antioch would become the new center as evangelistic missions to Gentiles went out from an integrated church where the disciples were first called Christians. But the church in Jerusalem needed to learn that Jews and Gentiles were equal in God’s sight. They didn’t get it perfectly. (Which of God’s designs do you get perfectly?) Rocky controversy over Gentiles keeping the Law of Moses was coming. But these events positioned the church as much more than an extension of Judaism.
Not only Peter and not only Jews resist God’s way. Don’t we do the same when his will goes against what we think or how we’ve always done it? Maybe it’s stubborn resistance to God’s will about your personal life. Maybe it’s grace being shown to people you don’t think are worthy (as you forget for a moment your own unworthiness and need of the same grace). It could be learning that the kingdom of God is much bigger than the limitations of your understanding. Whatever the point of your resistance, I pray that you, like Peter, will see the futility of standing in God’s way. Like a mighty locomotive speeding down the tracks, God’s purpose is moving ahead. You can stand on the tracks and protest, or you can ride. My advice to you is: “All aboard!”
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—November 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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