Acts Of The Apostles (16 Of 39)

The first thought that occurs is that He loves us, and wants to reward our good deeds as a father would reward his child for a good report card.

Romans 8:17b says, “...and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

This is one primary reason, but there is another. When we obey the Lord, doing what He tells us to do, it often gets us in serious trouble. This is what is meant when we refer to suffering for the cause of Christ. The early disciples knew a great deal about suffering in the name of Christ.

Acts 5:41 says, "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."

Peter found out first-hand what suffering for Christ was all about, when the angel of the Lord appeared to him, and asked him to do something that every Jew had been taught not to do. Let us look at these verses and see:

I. PETER AND CRITICISM

The early church discovered something that many churches today have not discovered, and that is that you can not make everyone happy. Jesus went about doing good and He was criticized everywhere He went.

A. THE GOSPEL RECEIVED

Verse 1, "And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God."

In chapter 10, when God told Peter to give the gospel to the gentiles, and he went to the house of Cornelius and told them about Jesus, they accepted his message. That does not happen in all cases.

Illus: The American people are not very receptive any more. They have become gospel hardened from hearing it so much, they no longer really hear the message.

But, there are countries who have not heard the good news of how Christ came and died for their sins. When they hear the gospel, it brings joy and hope to their lives.

Illus: There are missionaries who feel that it is a waste of time to preach the gospel in America, because it has been preached so much, people are no longer moved by it. Yet you can preach that same gospel to the heathen people, and they will gather around you like starving people who are reaching to you for bread.

How thrilled the apostles and brethren must have been, when they heard, that the gentiles gladly received the gospel when they heard it.

B. THE GOSPEL REJECTED

Verses 2-3, "And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.”

Notice, these men in Jerusalem also should have been thrilled that the gospel of Jesus Christ was received, but they could not see what a tremendous door God had opened for His church, because they were so prejudiced. When Peter arrived in Jerusalem, they said, " Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them."

Peter knew when he went to Cornelious' house he was asking for trouble. If you remember, he said, in Acts 10:27- 28, " And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean."

Peter did what God told him to do, but he knew that it went against the Jewish laws, and many would be angry with him when they heard about it. Well, they heard, and when he entered Jerusalem they quickly let him know how they felt about him, a Jew, going in to a gentile's house and eating with them.

This was all they could see. They could not see that here were men that Christ had died for who were now saved.

Illus: This reminds me of the church that was known for their affluent membership. They had the best that society could offer in their church. They had pooled their wealth, and built a building that everyone marveled at. A man came in one morning and walked the aisle and gave his heart to the Lord. He became one of the most dedicated Christians in that church. He got so stirred for souls, that he went out one week and brought a family whose clothes were about worn out.

After the preacher was through preaching, he went through the ritual of giving an invitation. The poor family that was invited, had a little boy. He did not know much about church, but he wanted to be saved, so during the invitation he walked down and knelt at the front.