Acts 10:44-11:18 The Christian Legalists Understand

Peter returned to Jerusalem to find himself facing the rebuke of the legalists for fellowshiping with  Gentiles.  "Those Jewish believers did not yet understand the relationship between law and grace," my commentary explained.  "It was not only a matter of religion, but also of culture, and cultural habits are very hard to break."

"The phrase contended with him means to make a difference.  These legalists were making and difference between the Gentiles and the Jews after Peter had demonstrated that there is no difference!  God had declared the Gentiles clean, that is, accepted before God on the same basis as the Jews -- through faith in Jesus Christ ... Peter reviewed the entire experience ... and when he was finished, the Jewish legalists dropped their charges and glorified God for the salvation of the Gentiles ... In his personal defense, Peter presented 3 pieces of evidence:  the vision from God, the witness of the Spirit, and the witness of the Word ... The witness of the Spirit was crucial, for this was God's own testimony that He had indeed saved the Gentiles."

"What was I, that I could withstand God?" Peter asked them.  In another version, it is rendered:  "How could I stop the work of God?"  I'd sure hate to try!

"Christians are to receive one another and not dispute over cultural differences or minor matters of personal convictions," my commentary clarified.

Father, help all of us in our churches to open our hearts to those who are unlike us and to see that You are at work and that we dare not stop Your work due to our own petty prejudices and differences.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford