Daily Thought

The eleventh chapter of Acts is a pivotal point in Luke’s narrative of the early days of Christianity because it introduces a sea change of emphasis. Up to this point the primary location has been Jerusalem and the principal character has been Peter. From now on, the geographical focus broadens out to encompass many areas of the Roman Empire, and Paul replaces Peter as the key worker. However, in the previous couple of chapters the ground was prepared for this transfer of prominence as we read of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, and of Cornelius the first Gentile Christian.

It is difficult for us to appreciate the challenge faced by the Jewish believers of the first century to come to terms with the reality that they no longer held a special place in God’s dealings with mankind. For 1500 years Judaism had been the only divinely appointed religion and throughout that era the Gentiles were ‘aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise’, Eph. 2. 12. This explains why a group within the church at Jerusalem contended with Peter when he arrived back from Caesarea, Acts 11. 2, 3. Diligently, the apostle explained to them from the beginning all that transpired in the house of Cornelius. This factual ‘missionary report’ resulted in a change of attitude by those of the circumcision for on hearing these things ‘they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life’, v. 18 NKJV.

The irrefutable evidence that this was a divine work was that the Holy Spirit fell on those Gentiles, just as He had on the apostles in Jerusalem at Pentecost. In verse 15 Peter speaks about a ‘beginning’ and he is casting his mind back to what happened on the Day of Pentecost. On that memorable occasion God began something new, for the baptism in the Holy Spirit resulted in the formation of the church as a body incorporating converted Jews and Gentiles. This church is not an extension of Judaism; it is distinct from it, and did not come into being until Pentecost. Writing to the Ephesians Paul describes it as being a ‘new man’ and John refers to it as ‘new Jerusalem’, Eph. 2. 15; Rev. 21. 2.