No Partiality

• 1^st – Not happy… vs. 1-3
  • 1^st – Breaking the rule… vs. 1
    • Rumors…
      • Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard.
      • The Gentiles had also received the word of God!
      • It did NOT take long for the news to SPREAD [κατά] about GENTILES being baptized…
      • And all the APOSTLES and BROTHERS in Judea heard about it…
      • Because it should come as no SURPRISE that BAD news travels VERY fast!
      • Ever notice how GOSSIP always seems to be about BAD things…
      • You will never see people whispering in corners about how GREAT someone is…
      • But the moment someone makes a MISTAKE – it spreads like WILD fire!
      • People GOSSIP about others – to make themselves look better…
      • Thinking they are more righteous – because at least they did NOT to that…
      • But we must remember the word for GOSSIP – comes from the word DEVIL [διάβολος]
      • So when we go around spreading RUMORS – we are working for the ENEMY…
      • Because the only thing GOSSIP does – is cause DIVISION!
      • Leviticus 19:16 – “Do not spread… gossip among your people.” [NLT]
    • Religion…
      • The question must be asked – why was this BAD news…
      • We know that GENTILES getting saved was a reason to REJOICE…
      • But that was NOT the case for the JEWS in the early church [THREE reasons]
      • FIRST – their RELIGION led them to believe they should be SEPARATE…
      • Everything about how they lived their lives made them DIFFERENT from GENTILES!
      • They could NOT work on SATURDAYS [sabbath] – Exodus 20:8
      • They could NOT eat certain FOODS [pork – shrimp] – Leviticus 11
      • They were NOT allowed to marry outsiders [gentiles] – Deuteronomy 7:3
      • God did all of this to make them HOLY [set apart] – as an EXAMPLE to the world….
      • But the Jews used these LAWS to create a WALL of separation between them and the world!
    • History…
      • SECOND – the GENTILES had NOT been kind to Jews!
      • Going all the way back to EGYPT – the GENTILES had enslaved the JEWS – Exodus 1:11
      • They were SCATTERED by the ASSYRIANS [diaspora] – II Kings 17:6
      • Carried into CAPTIVITY [and the temple destroyed] by the BABYLONIANS – Jeremiah 25:11
      • Faced GENOCIDE at the hands of the PERSIANS [Haman] – Esther 3:13
      • Had their temple DESECRATED by the GRECIANS [Antiochus] – Daniel 11:31
      • And were currently under the OCCUPATION of the ROMAN empire…
      • With a HISTORY like that – there was understandable MISTRUST between the TWO peoples!
    • Faith…
      • THIRD – the JEW believed [rightly so] they had the TRUTH…
      • They were the CHOSEN people of God – who had been given the WORD of God!
      • Deuteronomy 7:6 – “You are a holy people to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself – a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.”
      • But rather than seeing this as an opportunity to be an EXAMPLE to others…
      • The Jews [because of their Religion and History] became RECLUSIVE…
      • They saw their position as the CHOSEN people as EXCLUSIVE…
      • And therefore came to believe that God did NOT want to save GENTILES…
      • Because it THREATENED their – RELIGION – HISTORY – and their understanding of FAITH!
  • 2^nd – The Attack… vs. 2
    • The Circumcision…
      • When Peter came up to Jerusalem those of the circumcision contended with him!
      • In light of their BIAS – and dislike of the GENTILES…
      • WHEN [ὅτε] Peter came back to Jerusalem [you know he was dreading coming home]
      • Immediately – he faced constant [imperfect] ATTACK [διακρίνω] from the CIRCUMCISION…
      • ATTACK [διακρίνω] – thorough [διά] condemnation [κρίνω]!
    • The promise…
      • It is worth noting that those who ATTACKED were called the CIRCUMCISION…
      • When Abraham was NINETY years old – God gave him a PROMISE…
      • He would be the FATHER of MANY nations [Isaac had NOT been born] – Genesis 17:4
      • The PROOF of that PROMISE – was the covenant of CIRCUMCISION…
      • It was meant to show how the JEWS were NOT to follow the FLESH [sinful nature]
      • From then on – every JEW – would be circumcised on the EIGHTH day – Genesis 17:12
      • This became the SYMBOL for the JEWS – of who were allowed to be SAVED!
    • The Symbol…
      • But CIRCUMCISION was never meant to SAVE anyone…
      • There is NO ritual [baptism] – or RELIGION that can get us to heaven…
      • It was meant to be a SYMBOL – of cutting off our sinful life!
      • There is a reason why sins bother us NOW when it did NOT used to…
      • It used to be if we lied – or cheated – or were mean to others – it did NOT matter…
      • Yet now these things bother us – because we have been CIRCUMCISED in our heart…
      • That change of heart – CIRCUMCISION of the heart – is the SIGN that we are SAVED!
      • Colossians 2:11 – “When you came to Christ you were circumcised – but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision – the cutting away of your sinful nature.” [NLT]
  • 3^rd – The Complaint… vs. 3
    • Eating…
      • Saying: You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!
      • The one COMPLAINT of the CIRCUMCISION [Jews] had of Peter…
      • He ATE [aorist] with men who are [present] NOT circumcised…
      • Although there is NO law in the Bible that forbids eating with GENTILES…
      • The MISHNAH [oral teachings] does state it is forbidden [bishul akum]
      • Because GENTILES might use non-KOSHER ingredients [unclean animals]
      • And the GENTILES themselves were considered UNCLEAN!
      • The Law called the Jews to be HOLY – separate from sinners – Leviticus 19:2
      • And in those days everyone would eat from a COMMON bowl…
      • There were NO rules about DOUBLE dipping – so you really shared the meal…
      • So in the EYES of the JEWS – Peter had become ONE with UNCLEAN gentiles…
      • But their RULES [Mishnah] – kept them SEPARATED – rather than being an EXAMPLE!
    • Variety…
      • Sadly – many still have this sense of SEPARATION today…
      • People cling to their DENOMINATION – and decry everyone else as WRONG…
      • Yet God has allowed there to be many DENOMINATIONS within His Church…
      • Each with a slightly different FLAVOR – all with the same Lord…
      • The reason is so that the church can minister to all different kinds of people!
      • I Corinthians 9:22 – “All things to all men that I might by all means save some.”
      • Christ is NOT divided – so therefore the Church of Christ should NOT be divided…
      • There is only ONE Jesus – ONE cross – ONE salvation – ONE heaven – Ephesians 4:4-6
      • We are going to spend eternity together – we should start getting along now!
    • Maturity…
      • I Corinthians 3:4 – “When one of you says – I am a follower of Paul and another says I follow Apollos – are you not acting just like people of the world?” [NLT]
      • People in the world love to DIVIDE – they have their groups…
      • In the world it is all about our family – our town – our county!
      • When people argue over being Catholic – Baptist [religions]
      • They reveal they are either NOT saved – or have NEVER grown in the Lord…
      • Because they are acting NO differently than BEFORE they knew Jesus…
      • There is nothing wrong with enjoying a particular CHURCH…
      • The problem comes when we make that CHURCH our identity…
      • It causes division within the BODY of Christ – hindering the power of the Gospel…
      • We wonder why more people do NOT believe in Jesus – why churches are EMPTY…
      • It is because the CHURCH of God is DIVIDED – busy fighting itself…
      • No wonder God included this story THREE times in the Bible [important]
      • Just like the Jews – we love to DIVIDE – and God has called us to break down the walls!
      • John 13:35 – “All will know you are My disciples – if you have love for one another.”

• 2^nd – Plan of God… vs. 4-14
  • 1^st – The Explanation… vs. 4
    • But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning!
    • [δὲ] But Peter – did NOT argue or debate…
    • Instead he took the time to EXPLAIN to them WHY he ate with GENTILES…
    • He did so by CALMLY going back to the BEGINNING [ἄρχομαι] of the story!
    • When people ATTACK us – it is only natural to become DEFENSIVE…
    • We want to react in KIND – and ATTACK back because we are UPSET…
    • In the MOMENT we often are full of EMOTION – and need to COOL down before we speak…
    • Because if we let HURTFUL words come out – they will NOT help …
    • But if we respond instead in LOVE – then we will bring HEALING!
    • Proverbs 15:1 – “A soft answer turns away wrath – BUT a harsh word stirs up anger.”
  • 2^nd – The Vision… vs. 5-10
    • Details… vs. 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 – it came to me!
      • As Peter begins to recount the EVENTS – he does alter a few details…
      • While he EMPHASIZED that he was PRAYING [seeking God]
      • And in response God gave him a VISION from the [τοῦ] HEAVEN [οὐρανοῦ]
      • He conveniently leaves out the part where he was HUNGRY – Acts 10:10
      • I can image this was to remove any questions about the validity of his VISION…
      • Seeing FOOD when you are HUNGRY might lead some to question what he saw!
    • Unclean… vs. 6-8
      • When I observed it intently and considered.
      • I saw four-footed animals of the earth – wild beasts – creeping things – and birds of the air.
      • And I heard a voice saying to me: Rise Peter – kill and eat.
      • But I said: Not so Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth!
      • As Peter was FOCUSED [ἀτενίζω] on the sheet…
      • He SAW that it was filled out ALL kinds of ANIMALS [clean and unclean]
      • As he tried [imperfect] to FIGURE out [κατανοέω] what it meant [it confused him]
      • A voice commanded [imperative] him to KILL and EAT!
      • No doubt in the story – the CIRCUMCISION were looking very UPSET…
      • So Peter makes sure to emphasize he had the right JEWISH response…
      • He told the Lord [κύριος] – he could NEVER [μηδαμῶς] do that…
      • Because nothing COMMON [κοινός] or UNCLEAN [ἀκάθαρτος] had EVER entered his mouth!
    • Not common… vs. 9-10
      • But the voice answered me again from heaven:
      • What God has cleansed you must not call common.
      • Now this was done three times – and all were drawn up again into heaven!
      • The same voice from HEAVEN [the Lord] answered Peter…
      • What God [θεός] has [indicative] CLEANSED [καθαρίζω] – is NOT common [κοινός]
      • This was done THREE times – before the sheet was taken back up into heaven…
      • In Jewish tradition – THREE is a very important number…
      • It represented an ABSOLUTE confirmation of the TRUTH!
      • Deuteronomy 19:15 – “By the mouth of… three witnesses the matter shall be established.”
      • I have to wonder if telling the story again – further confirmed it for Peter…
      • As he retold the story of what God had done – it established it in his heart!
      • There is a benefit to sharing with others what God has shown us…
      • As we recount His Word – it gives us a change to remember and reflect…
      • We get to see things from a different perspective [looking back]
      • And that often strengthens our resolve – makes us confident in the Lord!
      • Psalm 105:5 – “Remember His marvelous works which He has done.”
  • 3^rd – Doubt nothing… vs. 11-12
    • Three men… vs. 11
      • At that very moment three men stood before the house where I was.
      • Having been sent to me from Caesarea – the Spirit told me to go with them doubting nothing!
      • And [καί] – IMMEDIATELY [ἐξαυτῆς] – behold [ἰδού]
      • Peter did NOT want the CIRCUMCISION to miss the timing [not a coincidence]
      • THREE men stood at the house – sent from Caesarea to find HIM [με]
      • And [δέ] the SPIRIT then spoke to Peter – GO with them…
      • He was NOT to DOUBT [διακρίνω] – why they had COME [ἦλθον]!
      • There is a SUBTLE change here in the STORY…
      • Where the SPIRIT commanded [imperative] Peter to GO [πορεύω] – Acts 10:20
      • Peter here tells us the SPIRIT said [no command] to GO [συνέρχομαι]
      • GO [συνέρχομαι] emphasizing they were to come [ἔρχομαι] together in UNITY [σύν]!
    • Accountability… vs. 12
      • Moreover these six brethren accompanied me!
      • But [δέ] Peter took SIX brothers [ἀδελφός] with him…
      • Presumably those same SIX men were still standing next to Peter confirming the story!
      • Men should not be alone with women [unmarried]
      • There are TWO teachers in every classroom…
      • The reason – because we want to make sure there is ACCOUNTABILITY!
      • I Thessalonians 5:22 – “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” [KJV]
      • The problem with doing things without ACCOUNTABILITY…
      • When [not if] something happens – it is our word against the other person…
      • We have an ENEMY who loves to make false accusations – Revelation 12:10
      • And we want to be READY with WITNESSES when those accusations come!
  • 4^th – The command… vs. 12-14
    • Generic… vs. 12
      • And we entered the mans house!
      • Peter conveniently leaves out a few details…
      • He does NOT mention that Cornelius is a CENTURION…
      • It was bad enough it was a GENTILE home – much less a solider from ROME…
      • He also did NOT mention how FULL the house was [packed]
      • Because he was trying to make a POINT – not PROVOKE the Jews!
    • The Angel… vs. 13-14
      • He told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house who said to him:
      • Send men to Joppa, -and call for Simon whose surname is Peter.
      • Who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved!
      • The man [Cornelius] gave Peter the MESSAGE [ἀπαγγέλλω]
      • Telling him about the ANGEL that stood in his home…
      • And how he commanded [imperative] him to send to Joppa – for SIMON called PETER…
      • Who said Peter would speak [λαλέω] to him – Acts 10:6
      • The fact Cornelius knew both of his NAMES was proof the Angel had spoken to him…
      • And Peter then interprets the SPEAK – as he was to tell [ῥῆμα] him how to be SAVED [σῴζω]
      • Peter took the time to explain all of this – so the Jews could understand the PLAN of God…
      • There ideas about who could be SAVED were wrong – the Gospel is for EVERYONE!
      • I have known people who ATTACK the traditions of other denominations…
      • But attacking their belief will likely only end up putting us into an argument…
      • Like Peter – we need to be sensitive on how we share…
      • Be sensitive to our listeners – gently giving them the Word of God!
      • Ephesians 4:15 – “Speaking the truth in love.”
        
• 3^rd – Salvation for all… vs. 15-18
  • 1^st – Confirmation… vs. 15-17
    • Began to speak… vs. 15
      • As I began to speak the Holy Spirit fell upon them – as upon us at the beginning!
      • Peter does NOT repeat his Gospel presentation to Cornelius – instead jumps to the END…
      • Because no sooner had he started speaking [ἄρχομαι] – NOT his words that had the power…
      • The HOLY Spirit fell upon the GENTILES – just as He had upon the Jews – Acts 2:4
    • The Word… vs. 16
      • Then I remembered the word of the Lord how He said:
      • John indeed baptized with water – but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit!
      • As Peter saw them SPEAKING in other languages [like Pentecost]
      • It caused him to REMEMBER [passive] the words [ῥῆμα] of our Lord [κύριος]
      • Acts 1:5 – “John truly baptized with water – but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
      • Peter was NOT just looking at one verse – he looked at the whole teaching…
      • Jesus told the disciples the Spirit would come – so that they could be WITNESSES!
      • Acts 1:8 – “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.”
      • Peter now understood the plan of God was to bring the GOOD news to everyone…
      • The Gospel had gone to Jerusalem [Acts 2] – Judea [Acts 3-7] – and Samaria [Acts 8]
      • Now God was fulfilling His Word and bringing the Jesus to the World!
      • When we go to the Bible for answers – we need to look at the context…
      • Not just taking a verse – or a part of a verse – and making it fit our interpretation…
      • But instead letting the verse be interpreted by the surrounding passage!
    • Will of God… vs. 17
      • If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us.
      • When we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ – who was I that I could withstand God?
      • SINCE [indicative] God gave the GENTILES the same GIFT [δωρεά] of the Spirit…
      • How could Peter have [imperfect] the POWER [δυνατός] to stop [κωλύω] God!
      • We may NOT like the idea that God can save WICKED people…
      • We might think that MURDERERS – BAD people – deserve to be JUDGED…
      • But in spite of what we THINK – who are we to ARGUE with God…
      • The truth is there are NO levels with the LORD – we are ALL sinners – Romans 3:23
      • And the same GRACE that saved us – can save ANYONE!
  • 2^nd – Silent… vs. 18
    • When they heard these things they became silent!
    • They glorified God saying: Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!
    • When the CIRCUMCISION heard the WORD [Jesus] and the EVIDENCE [Spirit]
    • They chose [active] to stop ARGUING [ἡσυχάζω] with Peter…
    • They did NOT like it – they still did NOT want the GENTILES to be saved…
    • And this was NOT the end – the debate would come up again – Acts 15:1
    • But for the moment there was NOTHING more they could say…
    • Therefore [καὶ] they gave [imperfect] GLORY to God [τὸν θεὸν]
    • Who had GIVEN [δίδωμι] the GENTILES [ἔθνος] repentance to life!
    • It is NOT our responsibility to convince people…
    • Or to try and make people from different denomination get along…
    • All we need to do is follow Jesus – and stand on the Word – God does the rest!