Peter Reaches Gentiles Series

Acts 11:01-18 Peter and the Jerusalem Church regarding Gentiles Mission

11:01-03 Church questioned Peter

11:04-17 Peter Explains the Church

11:18 Church rejoiced over the Gentiles

Acts 11:01-03 Church questioned Peter.

There could have been some communication systems among the first-century church or some kind of News Channel to spread the information about the disturbances, developments, and expansion of the church. We are privileged to have print media and then electronic media, and now the social media to spread any information at the earliest. The very next second information can reach any part of the world. The news of the conversion of the gentiles had spread all over Judea among the Jewish Christians. It has not brought joy to the Jewish Christians but brought discontent among the apostles. Peter had to face objections from the colleagues and fellow disciples(Acts 11:3). The mission work is mostly not appreciated on many occasions due to misunderstanding. Believers and leaders always find fault with evangelism strategy, mission stations to show their resentment over the person who carries out. The church should learn to welcome the converts of any background and at any ground. We need to sympathize with the converts and stand with them in their struggle for faith.

Acts 11:04-17 Peter Explains the Church.

Peter had explained everything to the entire Church at Jerusalem. The team of Apostles and the disciples spent considerable time listening to the whole narration of Peter. Though, Apostle Peter was a short-tempered person and emotional in responding to the situation. Here, he had well composed of himself to stand before the congregation and patiently explained everything and sought their cooperation for the Kingdom of God and ministry. The Gentiles received the anointing of the Holy Spirit preceding the water Baptism (Acts 10:47). But Jews had first water baptism and then received the Spirit of God.

Acts 11:18 Church rejoiced over the Gentiles.

Rightly explained issues never become a matter of confusion and never end without a conclusion. There is a way to address every issue and problem in the mission work. If concerns are genuinely understood, chaotic situations in the missions and the Christendom could have solved. There was a willingness among the leaders, the congregations to accept the explanation of Peter. They responded positively for the glory of the Lord. This passage ends with a positive note that there were no more objections. They praised God for the mission activities of Peter. Here, a new chapter has opened. As Paul writes in Galatians 3:28: ‘So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus’.

Discussions:

1. Why apostles questioned Peter even after witnessing the words of Christ in Matthew 16: 17-19?

2. Why many issues unresolved among Christians, Missionary organizations, and Churches?

3. How do we treat newcomers and converts?

(For further studies on Acts of the Apostles. Kindly refer to the series on this website)