Paul's Second Visit to Jerusalem Acts 11:19 – 30 – Part 2

Church History: The metropolis of the Cyrenaica was a country of Africa, bounded on the east by Marmarica, on the west by the Regio Syrtica, on the north by the Mediterranean, and on the south by the Sahara. Cyrene is now called Cairoan. This city, according to Eusebius, was built in the 37th Olympiad, about 630 years before Christ. In consequence of a revolt of its inhabitants, it was destroyed by the Romans; but they afterwards rebuilt it. It was for a long time subject to the Arabs, but is now in the hands of the Turks.
Paul spoke to the Grecians, ie: The Hellenists. Who these were, we have already seen in Acts 6:1-15 and Acts 9:29. They were Jews living in Greek cities and speaking the Greek language. It is believed that besides preaching the Gospel to the Hellenistic Jews, some of them preached it to heathen Greeks It is certain that the Hellenistic Jews had already received the Gospel. See Acts 6:1. And it is likely that these Cyprians and Cyrenians had heard of Peter's mission to Caesarea, and they followed his example by offering the Christian faith to the heathen. It is worthy of remark that the Jews generally called all nations of the world Greeks; as the Asiatics, to the present day, call all the nations of Europe Franks.1
A great number of those receiving the message believed that Jesus was the Christ; and that he had died for their offenses, and risen again for their justification. Because the apostles preached the truth, and the hand of God was with them, therefore, a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord, becoming his disciples, and taking him for their portion.
The original Church was in Jerusalem, the mother Church of Christianity; not the Church of Rome; there were Christian Churches founded in many places, which exist to the present day, before Rome heard the Gospel of the kingdom. A Christian Church means a company of believers in Christ Jesus, united for the purposes of Christian fellowship, and edification in righteousness.

Paul's Second Visit to Jerusalem Acts 11:19 – 30 – Part 1

Church History: 19Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 22News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. 27During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. 30This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
The scene of the narrative is now about to change to another Roman province, and to the city of Antioch. Preparatory to this transition, the historian glances back over a period of several years, to the dispersion of the Jerusalem Church. He had made that event his point of departure in rehearsing the labors of Philip and the early history of Saul, and now, with a degree of system in his arrangement which should not be overlooked, he starts again at the same point to sweep over another part of the wide field before him. Those who were scattered abroad from the persecution which arose about Stephen, traveled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one but Jews. From this we learn that while Philip was preaching in Samaria, and Saul in Damascus and Arabia, others of the brethren were spreading the truth into Phoenicia, the island of Cyprus, and Antioch in Syria. Thus the knowledge of salvation was sounded out from Jerusalem simultaneously into all the surrounding provinces.

Peter’s Vindication; Acts 11: 1 – 18 – Part 2

Church History: Word soon reached the church in Jerusalem, and surrounding areas; for Cesarea was not far from Jerusalem. Some reports were good, and some negative. So before Peter himself had returned to Jerusalem the apostles and the brethren there and in Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God, that is, the gospel of Christ, which is not only a word of God, but the word of God; for it is the summary and center of all divine revelation. Not only the Jews who were dispersed into the Gentile countries, and the Gentiles who were proselyte to the Jewish religion, but also the Gentiles themselves, who until know, it had been thought unlawful to hold common conversation, were taken into church communion. They had received the word of God. That is, the word of God was preached to them, which was a greater honor put upon them than they expected. It was entertained and submitted to by them, which was a better work wrought upon them than they expected. It is likely they had gotten an idea, that if the gospel were preached to the Gentiles, it would have no purpose. The proofs of the gospel were mostly from the Old Testament, which the Gentiles did not receive: They didn’t seem inclined to accept religion, nor likely to understand the impressions of it; and therefore were surprised to hear that they had received the word of the Lord.
When Peter came to Jerusalem, those that were of the circumcision, those Jewish converts that still retained a veneration for circumcision, were contentious with him. They said it was a crime that he went in to men uncircumcised, and ate with them; and thereby they think he has stained, if not forfeited, the honor of his apostleship, and ought to come under the censure of the church: They did not look upon him as infallible, or as the supreme head of the church that they were accountable to, and he to no one.
Peter gave a full and fair account of the matter of fact which was sufficient, without any further argument or apology, both to justify him, and to satisfy them: He rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and laid it before them in order, and then could appeal to themselves whether he had done amiss; for it appeared all along God's own work, and not his. The account which Peter gave of the matter satisfied them, and all was well. Thus, when the two tribes and a half gave an account to Phinehas and the princes of Israel of the true intent and meaning of their building themselves an altar on the banks of Jordan, the controversy was dropped, and it pleased them that it was so.

Peter’s Vindication; Acts 11: 1 – 18 – Part 1

Church History: 1The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3and said, "You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them." 4Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened: 5"I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7Then I heard a voice telling me, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' 8"I replied, 'Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' 9"The voice spoke from heaven a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.' 10This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. 11"Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. 12The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man's house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.' 15"As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?" 18When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."

The preaching of the gospel to Cornelius was a thing which we poor sinners of the Gentiles have reason to reflect upon with a great deal of joy and thankfulness; for it was the bringing of light to us who sat in darkness. Now it being so great a surprise to the believing as well as the unbelieving Jews, it is worthwhile to enquire how it was received, and what comments were made upon it.

Peter At Cornelius’s House; Acts 10:24 – 48 – Part 3

Church History: Cornelius declares the directions God gave to him to send for Peter, and that it was purely in obedience to those directions that he had sent for him. Cornelius gives an account of the angel's appearing to him, and ordering him to send for Peter; not making light of it, but he wanted to know what his expectation should be, having received a message from heaven. He tells how this vision found him engaged: Four days ago I was fasting until this hour, this hour of the day that it is now when Peter came, about the middle of the afternoon. He describes the messenger that brought him this message from heaven: There stood a man before me in bright clothing, as Christ's was when he was transfigured, and that of the two angels who appeared at Christ's resurrection (Luke 24:4), and at his ascension (Acts 1:10), showing their relation to the world of light. He repeats the message that was sent to him just as we had it. Only here it is said, thy prayer is heard. We are not told what his prayer was; but if this message was an answer to it, and it should seem it was, we may suppose that finding the deficiency of natural light, and that it left him at a loss how to obtain the pardon of his sin and the favor of God, he prayed that God would make some further discoveries of himself and of the way of salvation to him. "Well," said the angel, "send for Peter, and he will give you such a discovery." He declares his own and his friends' readiness to receive the message Peter had to deliver: I sent for you immediately as I was directed, and you have come to us, though we are Gentiles.
Because they were Gentiles to whom Peter preached. He shows that, notwithstanding this, they were interested in the gospel of Christ, which he had to preach, and they were entitled to the benefit of it, upon an equal footing with the Jews. God never did, nor ever will, justify and save a wicked Jew that lived and died impenitent, though he was of the seed of Abraham, and a Hebrew of the Hebrews, and had all the honor and advantages that attended circumcision. He does and will render indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that does evil; and of the Jew first, whose privileges and professions, instead of screening him from the judgment of God, will but aggravate his guilt and condemnation. See (Romans 2:3,8-9,17). Though God had previously favored the Jews, above other nations, with the dignities of visible church-membership, yet he will not accept any particular persons of that dignity, if they allow themselves in immoralities contradictory to their profession; and particularly in persecution, which was now, more than any other, the national sin of the Jews. He never did, nor ever will, reject or refuse an honest Gentile, who, though he did not have the privileges and advantages that the Jews had, yet, like Cornelius, feared God, and worshiped him, and worked righteousness, that is, is just and charitable towards all men, who lives up to the light he has, both in a sincere devotion and in a regular conversation. No matter what nationality he is, or how far remote he is from the kindred seed of Abraham. God judges men by their hearts, not by their country or parentage; and, wherever he finds an upright man, he will be found an upright God, (Psalms 18:25).
God confirmed Peter's word, by bestowing the Holy Spirit upon the hearers of it, and immediately upon the hearing of it. While Peter was yet speaking these words, and perhaps designed to say more, he was happily superseded by visible indications that the Holy Spirit, even in his miraculous gifts and powers, fell on all those who heard the word, even as he did on the apostles at first. The Holy Spirit fell upon others after they were baptized, for their confirmation; but upon these Gentiles before they were baptized: as Abraham was justified by faith, being yet in uncircumcision, to show that God is not tied to a method, nor confines himself to external signs. The Holy Spirit fell upon those that were neither circumcised nor baptized; for it is the Spirit that quickens, the flesh profits nothing. They spoke with tongues which they never learned, praising God.
Desiring both Peter's word and God's work for further advantage, they prayed for him to stay with them several days. They could not press him to reside constantly among them, they knew that he had work to do in other places, and that for the present he was expected at Jerusalem; yet they were not willing for him to go away immediately, but earnestly begged he would stay for some time among them, that they might be further instructed by him in the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

Peter At Cornelius’s House; Acts 10:24 – 48 – Part 2

Church History: This is the first interview between Peter and Cornelius, in which he gave profound and indeed undue respect and honor to Peter: He met him as he was coming in, and instead of taking him in his arms, and embracing him as a friend, which would have been very acceptable to Peter, he fell down at his feet, and worshipped him; some think, as a prince and a great man, according to the usage of the eastern countries; others think, as an incarnate deity, or as if he took him to be the Messiah himself. His worshipping a man was indeed culpable; but, considering his present ignorance, it was excusable. It was an evidence of something in him that was very commendable. Peter's was modest and indeed just and pious in his refusal of this honor that was given him. He took him up into his arms, with his own hands, saying, "Stand up, I myself also am a man, and therefore not to be worshipped this way." How careful was Paul that no man should think of him above what he saw in him!
Peter declares the direction God gave to him to come to the Gentiles. They knew it had never been allowed by the Jews, but always looked upon as an unlawful thing, an abomination, for a man that is a Jew, a native Jew as I am, to keep company or come unto one of another nation, a stranger, an uncircumcised Gentile. It was not made so by the law of God, but by the decree of their wise men, which they looked upon to be no less binding. They did not forbid them to converse or traffic with Gentiles in the street or shop, or upon the exchange, but to eat with them. Even in Joseph's time, the Egyptians and Hebrews could not eat together, (Genesis 43:32). They might not come into the house of a Gentile, for they looked upon it to be ceremonially polluted. The Jews looked scornfully upon the Gentiles, who were not backhanded with them in contempt, as appears by many passages in the Latin poets. "But now," saith Peter, "God has shown me, by a vision, that I should not call any man common or unclean, nor refuse to converse with any man for the sake of his country." Peter, who had taught his new converts to save themselves from the previous generation of wicked men, is now himself taught to join himself with the future generation of devout Gentiles. Ceremonial characters were abolished, that more regard might be had to moral ones. Peter thought it necessary to let them know how he came to change his mind in this matter, and that it was by a divine revelation. God has taken down the partition-wall. He assures them of his readiness to provide all the help he could; that, when he kept at a distance, it was not out of any personal disgust to them, but only because he wanted instruction from heaven, and, having now received permission, he was at their service: "Therefore I came to you without hesitation, as soon as I was sent for, ready to preach the same gospel to you that I have preached to the Jews." The disciples of Christ had some notion of the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles, but they imagined it must be only to those Gentiles that were first converted to the Jewish religion, which mistake Peter acknowledges was not rectified. He enquired as to where he might be of service to them: "I ask, for what intent have you sent for me? What do you expect from me, or what business have you with me.

Peter At Cornelius’s House; Acts 10:24 – 48 – Part 1

Church History: 24The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself." 27Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. 29So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?" 30Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' 33So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us." 34Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39"We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen--by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." 44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

He went with them to Cornelius, who was ready and waiting to receive and entertain him. Peter was accompanied by certain brethren from Joppa, where he now was. Six of them went along with him. Either Peter desired their company, that they might be witnesses of his proceeding cautiously with reference to the Gentiles, and of the good ground on which he went, and therefore he invited them, or they offered their service to attend him, and desired they might have the honor and happiness of being his fellow travelers. This was one way in which the primitive Christians showed their respect to their ministers: they accompanied them in their journeys, to show their approval, to be their guard, to minister to them and with a further prospect not only of doing them service, but of being edified by their conversation. It is a pity that those who have skill and will to do good to others by their discourse should want an opportunity for it by travelling alone. Cornelius, when he was ready to receive him, had gotten some friends together from Cesarea. It was more than a day's journey, nearly two, from Joppa to Cesarea; for it was in the afternoon of the day after they set out that they entered into. It is probable that they travelled on foot; the apostles generally did so. Now when they came into the house of Cornelius Peter found that he was expected, and this was an encouragement to him. Cornelius waited for them, and such a guest was worth waiting for. He cannot be blamed if he became impatience, longing to know what that mighty thing was which an angel bade him expect to hear from Peter. As Peter brought some with him to partake of the spiritual gift he had now to dispense, so Cornelius had called together, not only his own family, but kinsmen and near friends, to partake with him of the heavenly instructions he expected from Peter, which would give Peter a larger opportunity of doing good.