Peter’s Defense to the Legalists
April 1, 2021
Commentary
Peter wisely had taken some Hebrew Christians with him when he went to Cornelius’ house, because it was not long before he was to be confronted for ministering to Gentiles (vv. 1-3). When he returned to Jerusalem he was met by members of the strong legalistic party in the church of Judea and was rebuked by them for fellowshipping and eating with them. These Jewish believers did not understand the difference between law and grace. They didn’t have a New Testament to guide them.
The proof of Christianity always lies in facts. Its proof is that it works, it changes men, as it makes bad men good, by the Spirit of God. It’s when a man’s words are guaranteed by his deeds that the world is presented with a proof for Christianity. Peter had nothing to fear as he faced these Jewish Christians, because he had only followed orders from the Lord. He simply told the whole story from beginning to end (vv. 4-10) and presented his witnesses who verified it (v. 12). He had a three-part defense, as he presented three pieces of evidence:
1. The vision from God (verses 5-11)
2. The witness of the Spirit (verses 12-15,17)
3. The witness of the Word (v. 16)
When the leaders heard these facts, they dropped their charges and rejoiced with Peter over the salvation of the Gentiles (v. 18).
Application
As a born-again Christian I am to receive other Christians and not argue over cultural differences or minor matters of personal conviction (Rom. 14-15).
Acts 11:1– 18 (NET)
1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles too had accepted the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers took issue with him, 3 saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and shared a meal with them.” 4 But Peter began and explained it to them point by point, saying, 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, an object something like a large sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came to me. 6 As I stared I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and wild birds. 7 I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; slaughter and eat!’ 8 But I said, ‘Certainly not, Lord, for nothing defiled or ritually unclean has ever entered my mouth!’ 9 But the voice replied a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, you must not consider ritually unclean!’ 10 This happened three times, and then everything was pulled up to heaven again. 11 At that very moment, three men sent to me from Caesarea approached the house where we were staying. 12 The Spirit told me to accompany them without hesitation. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He informed us how he had seen an angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter, 14 who will speak a message to you by which you and your entire household will be saved.’ 15 Then as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as he did on us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, as he used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 Therefore if God gave them the same gift as he also gave us after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to hinder God?” 18 When they heard this, they ceased their objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted the repentance that leads to life even to the Gentiles.”
Illustration: Legalistic Thinking Thwarted
A creative youth leader decided to show his youth group a missionary film. The film projector hadn’t been off an hour before a group of the leaders in the church called him in and asked him about what he had done. They asked, “Did you show the young people a film?” He responded that he had. “We don’t like that,” they replied. Without trying to be argumentative, the youth worker reasoned, “Well, I remember that at the last missionary conference, our church showed slides–” One of the church officers put his hand up signaling him to cease talking. Then, in these words, he emphatically explained the conflict: “If it’s still, fine. If it moves, sin!” You can show slides, but when they start movin’, you’re gettin’ into sin. ©. Swindoll, The Grace Awakening, Word, 1990, pp. 160-161).