A Study of Peter’s Gentile Visit.
By Larry A. Smail
The story of the Apostle Peter’s visit to a home of Gentiles is a very, very important study. However, one needs to carefully study and understand the events prior to his visit, as well as his words and later actions during the visit and finally the reason why the Lord pushed Peter towards this important meeting. Once the ramifications of Peter’s Gentile event are rightfully divided at the proper places in scripture other New Testament events become much clearer to grasp.
In order to disseminate Peter’s visit, we need to know some of the man’s history and the power of his Jewish beliefs. Peter, prior to becoming one of Jesus’ disciples, and during, was a strong law-keeping Jew. Briefly in the Acts 10 chapter he states some important truths to prove this fact. First, he says of never eating anything unclean. This occurred with the vision of a large sheet with unclean animals. Leviticus 11 in scripture lists all unclean and clean animals for Jewish consumption under Mosaic Law. He, also, reminded the Gentiles the fact of a Jew visiting a Gentile being illegal. More details on these two realities of scripture later.
Peter’s reluctance to attend the Gentile home was furthered rooted with some important words of Christ himself. Few reading the Bible will read the following verses with understanding preferring to glance over them without thought. In Matthew 10 Jesus told the disciples the following words shown below. Scripturally, he never reneged on those words to them. Peter would have remembered those words of Christ further confusing him about this push to visit a Gentile.
Matthew 10: 5-6, Jesus told them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL.” He added, preach that the kingdom is at hand.
Why would Christ say those words? The answer, actually, is quite simple. The “earthly” ministry of Jesus had one major goal…to prove to Israel that he was their Promised One and if they believed he would usher in the kingdom on earth and be their King. (This is the gospel of the kingdom.) Paul wrote these important words in Romans 15: 8-9; “Christ became a servant (Minister in some translations) to the circumcised (Jews) to show God’s truthfulness made unto the fathers, in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. (Grace)
Peter, as a man educated in Old Testament scripture and prophecy, would have known of the Exodus 19 verses that told of Israel’s potential if they would believe the Lord. Exodus 19: 5-6 states; “Now therefore if you (Israel) will obey my voice and keep my covenant, (Promise) you SHALL be my own possession among all peoples; for the all the earth is mine, and you SHALL be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” At a future time, the Jews, if they’d obey the Lord, would go the Gentiles with God’s word. Also, see Isaiah 49: 6 for similar words. Here Israel was to be “a light of the Gentiles…” Peter would refer to the believing Jews in 1 Peter 2: 4-10 as a “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…” See how the Lord’s words to Moses and Peter’s words fit together.
The Great Commission and Peter’s Sermons to the Jews
Keeping in mind the words above as to Israel’s Exodus 19 potential we must determine exactly what Jesus meant with his words of going to all nations to make disciples. The reason for Jesus’ words was to have his disciples continue to preach of the gospel of the kingdom to Israel and convince the Jews of Israel to believe on Christ and then they were to go out among the nations as that great commission. Those words, however, are almost universally misunderstood as for the Christians to go to all nations. However, I agree that in itself is not a bad thing at all.
Reality time: Peter’s sermons were for the Jews to preach of the gospel of the kingdom. This is provable with many of Peter’s words. We did the study of Peter’s sermons in the past. We need to study carefully! One example to prove who Peter was directing his sermons to is found in Acts 2: 36. Here he states of ALL the house of Israel. There is no Gentile talk here. Israel was to turnaround from their unbelief of Christ allowing for their rejection of Christ; be cleansed as per Mosaic Law by believing that Jesus was their King then he would return and usher in the kingdom once the belief of the Jews was full. Once Israel had repented of their unbelief and accepted Christ, they would begin the process of going to other nations and convince those Jews. Only then would all Jews be that light to go to all the Gentiles. Their failure introduced Paul, via the Risen Christ, to do their job!
Also, in Luke 24: 44 we read as part of the great commission of Jesus saying; “These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 2.
Peter and the other disciples would all have known this without question for Jesus had never reneged of the words of going to only the Lost Sheep of Israel.
NOTE: From scripture Jesus made only two exceptions towards Gentiles.
More proof of the accuracy of the words written above can be found in scripture.
First, Peter preaches to the Jews in his sermons, Secondly, he made sure those Gentiles of Acts 10 were well aware of the illegality for a Jew to be in a home of the Gentile. The Jerusalem Council, through Peter’s Gentile experience and his words, would convince the believing Pharisees and disciples who were demanding Mosaic Law to Paul’s saved Gentiles. More later on these subjects
Acts 10 (Peter’s visit to Gentiles)
At Caesarea lived a man named, Cornelius. He was a Gentile, of the Italian cohort or regiment, and a devout centurion who feared the Lord as did his household. He prayed and gave alms. (We can only speculate as to how this man came to this revelation in God’s word. I, personally, believe a sovereign Lord supernaturally inspired Cornelius for his soon coming plan towards the Gentiles. Could Cornelius have been in Jerusalem as a Roman centurion during Christ’s’ crucifixion? Witnessing this event may have stirred his search for the Lord. Also, God would later use Peter and this experience to aid Paul, the Apostles of the Gentiles at the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15, and Galatians 2. More on this conference later.)
NOTE: Caesarea was a predominately Roman city along the Mediterranean Sea in Judea. Archaeologists have uncovered a building stone with the name Pontus Pilate inscribed on it.
An angel approached Cornelius via a vision. This happened during prayer at the ninth hour or three o’clock. He was in terror at first. However, he asked, “What is it, Lord?” (Was Jesus the one in this vision? Note the capitol L in Lord in some translations like the Geneva Bible.) Cornelius was told his prayers had reached God. He sent two servants and a trusted soldier, who also feared God, to Joppa to bring the man named Peter who is staying with Simon, the tanner.
NOTE: Joppa was an ancient city along the Mediterranean Sea about 35 miles northwest of Jerusalem.
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The next day, around noon, a hungry Peter, on the rooftop, fell into a trance and saw visions from the Lord including creatures considered “unclean” under Jewish law. (See Leviticus 11.) The vision was of a descending great sheet with many species of unclean animals, birds, and reptiles on it. (You can readily see Peter’s Jewish legalistic approach at this time. Jews were forbidden to eat unclean foods and the law-keeping, Peter abided with the Mosaic Law.)
The words heard were, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” Peter argued he had never eaten unclean food. He heard the words, ” What God has cleansed, you must not call common.“ However, the Lord persisted with two more showings of the vision. Peter, at this time, still did not completely understand the message.
At that same time the arrival of Cornelius’ servants occurred. The Spirit told Peter that men had arrived, and don’t hesitate for I have sent them. (The Spirit did not tell Peter the three men were Gentiles. Imagine Peter’s shock, for before the man stood Gentiles, and one was even a Roman soldier!) The men explained to Peter what had happened with Cornelius, as well as the kind of man he was.
NOTE: The Lord was using this vision event to begin educating Peter that there is no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles. Things were changing in God’s plan and Peter would be used in this plan at a future time.
Peter, and some other Jewish believers, traveled to Caesarea and would enter the forbidden Gentile home. (Peter, no doubt, wanted fellow believing Jews to be witnesses as to what was about to happen, although Peter himself did not, yet know at that time what was to happen.)
Cornelius had gathered some friends and family to his home. At the entrance into the home, Cornelius bowed to them, but Peter told him to stand up for he, too, was a man! Peter mentioned the fact of it being unlawful for this meeting with a Gentile to be happening under Jewish law, but God has shown him that no man is common, or unclean. (Peter was going against Jewish law. See additional note of the thinking of the time below. Page 6.)
Cornelius told the story as to what had happened to him with the Angel of the Lord, and his sending of the men to locate Peter.
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Peter began his sermon stating. “Truly, I perceive that God shows no partiality…” He told the Gentiles the story concerning Jesus who God sent to Israel. (See Romans 15:8) Peter talked on the word being proclaimed to Israel after the baptism John preached. (This is known as the Baptism of repentance.) He continued of Christ’s anointing; the healings, miracles which they had witnessed.
Peter added words about Jesus being crucified and his resurrection from the tomb after three days and nights. Peter told them of seeing Christ after the resurrection. Christ told them that they were to preach Jesus was the Promised One and everyone who believed in his name received forgiveness of sins. Before Peter had finished his sermon the Holy Spirit immediately came upon the Gentile believers. THEY HAD BELIEVED ONLY! NO WORKS! This happened before Peter had completed his sermon! Peter, and those present Jews were amazed at this event…the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit by only believing! (In their minds only, Jewish believers could receive this gift, and now the heathen Gentile dogs were observed receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit!)
IMPORTANT: These Gentiles were baptized in the name of Jesus “AFTER” they had received the Holy Spirit. In earlier Acts 2: 38 we saw the opposite. Once a Jew believed and was baptized then the Holy Spirit would become reality. Also, in early Acts the JEWS were to repent of their unbelief leading to crucifixion before becoming cleansed. Peter only knew what he was told and that was to baptize, purify or cleanse them in water as per Mosaic Law despite these people being Gentiles. However, his actions were not necessary.
Holy Spirit Baptism
Acts 1: 5, Jesus spoke the following. “For John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit within these few days.” Notice the difference.
John the Baptist said the following in Matthew 3:11. John said, “… but he who is coming… he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
These Gentiles received a HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM! CHANGES ARE HAPPENING!!!!
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Paul’s words from Acts 19: 2-6 asked some believers if they had received the Holy Spirit since they believed? They said they had never heard of the Holy Spirit. Paul asked them about baptism and the believers said it was through John’s baptism. Paul said, “John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe in him, which should come after him that is, in Christ Jesus.” Paul laid his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came onto them. These disciples now received their Holy Spirit Baptism.
The Thinking of the Time.
NOTE: According to William Barclay, it was common for a Jewish man to begin the day with a prayer thanking God that he was not a slave, a Gentile, or a woman.
A basic part of the Jewish religion in the days of the New Testament was an oath that promised that one would never help a Gentile under any circumstances, such as giving directions if they were asked. But it went even as far as refusing to help a Gentile woman at the time of her greatest need – when she was giving birth – because the result would only be to bring another Gentile into the world.
If a Jew married a Gentile, the Jewish community would have a funeral for the Jew and consider them dead. It was thought that to even enter the house of a Gentile made a Jew unclean before God. Ancient Jewish writings tell us of a Gentile woman who came to a rabbi. She confessed that she was a sinner and asked to be admitted to the Jewish faith. “Rabbi,” she said, “bring me near.” The Rabbi refused and simply shut the door in her face.
But the Gentiles could give as bad as they got from the Jews. Gentiles despised Jews as weird traditionalists and believed that they were evil plotters who worshipped pigs. After all, they thought, Jews refused to eat pork, so they must worship pigs!
All of this began to change with the spread of Paul’s gospel of Grace. Christianity was the first religion to disregard racial, cultural, and national limitations.
The Jerusalem Council
I find a little information of this great meeting to be vital to demonstrate how the Jesus-believing Jews were still law-keepers and NOT believers of Christ by faith
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only as preached to the Gentiles by Paul. Brief council results were recorded in Acts 15 and Galatians 2. The meeting consisted of much debate and argument. The meeting occurred approximately twenty years after the cross. Notice the disciples and others were still steeped under Jewish law. Those Jews in attendance demanded of the Gentiles in Acts 15: 5, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.” Paul would NOT submit to their demands for Mosaic Law on his saved Gentiles. The council shows the readers of a distinct separation in the two gospels of the times…the gospel of the kingdom directed to the Jews and the gospel of Grace to both Gentiles and Jews. Unfortunately, we still see many trying to place both gospels “as if placed into a blender with attempts to make it all pour out as one message.” Why? The disciples were continuing preaching the kingdom to Jews as directed by the Lord himself.
Peter eventually rose and spoke. Verses seven through 11. “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of gospel and believe. And God who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did too us; and he made no distinction between us and them but cleansed their hearts by faith.
Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke (Mosaic Law) upon the necks of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” Peter’s message at this meeting turned the others to accept Paul’s message of Grace through faith and not the law of Moses.
There it is! Peter was told to go the Gentile Cornelious for one reason and that was to save Paul’s gospel of grace years into the future at this meeting. True Christianity would be saved and move on. However, Peter apparently does not abandon Mosaic law, but he seems to be better with understanding Gentile salvation. However, in his two epistles it is easy to see a different Peter preaching on faith and grace. See below from Peter’s own words.
Peter Condemned by Paul
Beginning with Galatians 2:11, Paul condemned Peter while they were together at an event with Gentiles. Peter seems to be in a transition time between law-keeping
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and faith only grace. Certain men sent from James showed up, possibly, checking up on Peter. Once Peter noticed their arrival, he separated himself from the Gentiles and began to act strictly Jewish. Scripture states Peter feared the circumcision party. Even Barnabas was carried away by their insincerity. Paul would have nothing to do with their actions and expressed himself forcibly.
Peter’s Difficulty with Grace Only
Peter’s words in 2 Peter 3: 14-18 say much of the times. His strong indoctrination of Judaism is still present in his later years causing the man some understanding issues with Paul’s grace by faith only words. The verses: “Therefore beloved, since you wait for these, be zealous to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the forbearance of our Lord as salvation. So also, our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some THINGS IN THEM HARD TO UNDERSTAND…” (I believe the Book of Hebrews was this writing to Jews written by Paul.)
Peter’s two scriptural letters were written to the Jews of the Dispersion. (See 1 Peter 1: 1 and 2 Peter 3: 1.) These Jews had been dispersed to other countries years ago and continued to live out their lives within established Jewish communities. Peter, apparently, had begun to reach out to Jews outside of Israel.
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