November 20, 2011
Evening Service

Continuing with the acts of Peter:

 

Peter explains his actions at the house of Cornelius:  Acts 11.

 

Act 11:1-18  And the apostles and brethren that were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.  (2)  And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,  (3)  Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.  (4)  But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,  (5)  I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:  (6)  Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.  (7)  And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.  (8)  But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.  (9)  But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.  (10)  And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.  (11)  And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.  (12)  And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:  (13)  And he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;  (14)  Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.  (15)  And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.  (16)  Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.  (17)  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?  (18)  When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

 

Then verses 19-30, tells us what happened when those that were scattered upon the death of Stephen, went out preaching the gospel.  Barnabas heads for Tarsus for to bring Saul back.  And this is the first time the disciples were called Christians.  Vs.26.

 

In chapter 12 we see Herod kill James the brother of John, with the sword, and Peter put in jail.

 

Act 12:1-19  Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.  (2)  And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.  (3)  And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)  (4)  And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.  (5)  Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.  (6)  And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.  (7)  And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.  (8)  And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.  (9)  And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.  (10)  When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.  (11)  And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.  (12)  And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.  (13)  And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.  (14)  And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.  (15)  And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.  (16)  But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.  (17)  But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go show these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.  (18)  Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.  (19)  And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and there abode.

 

Vs’s 20 – 25 explains how God kills Herod, tells of Barnabas, Saul, and John Mark returning from Jerusalem after fulfilling their ministry.

 

Chapter 13 tells of the beginning of Barnabas, and Saul’s missionary work.

 

Peter is not mentioned again until the Jerusalem council, in Acts 15.

 

Saul, who is now called Paul, and Barnabas tell of their success among the gentiles.  Certain of the Pharisee Christians rose up and said, “That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” 

 

Act 15:6-11  And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.  (7)  And 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.  (8)  And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;  (9)  And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.  (10)  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?  (11)  But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

 

This portion of Scripture, along with Paul’s writings, sets Christians free from the bondage of the Law of Moses.  Why some people want to stay under this law is beyond me, but there are still groups of so-called Christians that do.  They are gentiles, but act like Jews.

Rom 14:14  I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

Rom 14:20  For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offense.   Paul has extensive teaching on offences in ICor.

Col 2:16  Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

1Ti 4:3  Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.  1Ti 4:4  For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 1Ti 4:5  For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.