Summary
Shawn addresses whether Jesus' resurrection could be considered His second coming, explaining that scripture describes the resurrection and second coming as separate events, with the latter involving specific end-times signs not met at the time of resurrection. In Acts 11, Peter witnesses the Holy Spirit manifest among Gentiles as they speak in tongues, illustrating that salvation through faith is extended to all, regardless of heritage, emphasizing the universal nature of the Christian message.
Peter illustrates the precedence of spiritual experience over ceremonial practices, showcasing that Gentiles, too, received the Holy Spirit and were baptized in the name of the Lord, thus challenging traditional Jewish norms and interpretations of the Great Commission’s directive. The teaching highlights that New Testament instances suggest water baptisms were consistently performed in Jesus' name, raising questions about later textual additions promoting Trinitarian baptismal formulas.
The teaching explores how Peter faced the challenge of convincing Jewish believers in Jerusalem that God had extended His grace and salvation to the Gentiles, emphasizing the division and contention (DIA-KRINO) among early Christians as they grappled with traditional boundaries being crossed. The discussion raises the question of Peter’s authority and leadership among early Christians, contrasting it with the idea of him making unilateral decisions in the Church, suggesting a more communal and divided context in early Christianity.
In Shawn's teaching, he emphasizes that the apostles worked collaboratively under Christ, without hierarchical authority, and challenges the notion that Christian ministry should involve division based on prejudices or perceived superiority. Instead, he advocates for a fearless, inclusive love that transcends fear and societal constructs, encouraging believers to embrace and share the authentic message of Jesus and the Gospel with an open heart, following Peter's example of overcoming personal biases.
Peter's vision highlights the breaking of traditional barriers through divine instruction, where God cleansed what was once considered unclean, emphasizing that God's message extends beyond cultural and religious boundaries, as demonstrated by the Holy Spirit's granting of the gift of tongues to Gentiles. This passage teaches about removing prejudice and embracing love and unity through the Holy Spirit's fruits, such as joy, peace, and patience, fostering communication and connection among diverse groups, ultimately leading to repentance and glorification of God.
In Shawn's teaching, he explains that Jewish converts recognized God's extension of repentance to Gentiles, but this differs from Jewish repentance as it was rooted solely in faith in Christ, not guilt from breaking the law. Paul emphasized that for Gentiles, salvation comes through belief in Christ, which subsequently leads to repentance, whereas Jewish repentance involved feeling guilty and changing behavior based on previously given laws.
Understanding Jesus' Return and the Role of the Holy Spirit
The Distinction Between Resurrection and Second Coming
Okay before we get into the remainder of Chapter ten to wrap it up we had a question from Mary last week about Jesus return and why it couldn’t have been His coming back from the grave as a resurrected being rather than another return that may have been at 70 AD or one we are still waiting upon.
I told Mary I didn’t know the answer at that time. So I reflected on it and I think I have some reasonable reasons why His return with his resurrected Body cannot be considered His second comingChrist’s return, fulfilled in 70 A.D., ending the old covenant—not the world.. First of all, they are taught and discussed in scripture as separate events. Hand in hand with this there were many signs that Jesus Himself gives on what would be the “signs of his coming and the end of that age” – these had to happen prior to His coming and were not met in the three days of His deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God. and resurrection.
Second, at his ascension the angel said to the watching apostles, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” These things help us see that the resurrection was one event but His coming or return (at the end of that age) to wrap it all up by bringing judgement upon the unbelievers and saving the believers was another.
The Holy Spirit's Intervention
Okay. So there Peter’s message ends to Cornelius and we left off last week reading (verse 44, 45 and 46 together)
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
Notice a few things. First of all, Luke tells us in his narrative that comprises the book of Acts that “while Peter yet spake the Holy Spirit fell on them which heard the word.” I tend to think that this was written this way to show that the Spirit moves as it would, and did not wait on Peter to finish his speech but sort of jumped in – even interrupted while he preached. But we also note that Luke points out that the Holy Spirit fell on them that . . . (that’s right) them that, “heard the word.”
Can the Holy Spirit regenerate hearts without the Word being preached. Sure. At least the Word uttered by physical mouths. I’ve met people who claim to have been sitting alone hearing nothing when the Holy Spirit took over and changed them. And while this may occur we know – know that faith comes by the hearing of the Word – so generally speaking this seems to be the manner God works – the Word is planted, people hear, and believe. Luke adds at verse 45
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.
We know that Peter brought six Jews that had converted to Christ with him from Joppa to the house of Cornelius and apparently these six men were wowed that the Gift of the Holy Spirit fell upon these Gentiles.
The Significance of Tongues
We have nothing said about any rushing wind falling from on high in this setting so how did these Jews KNOW that the Holy Spirit had fallen on these Gentiles as it had fallen on them and others?
Verse 46: “For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.”
Peter will repeat and appeal to this event strongly in the next chapter but the fact that God, through His Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of Christ, touched these uncircumcised Italians was the sure sign that God was no respecter of persons and the Good News and salvation was now to go out to all peoples based on faith in His Son.
I would suggest, that according to scripture that when the gift of tongues is present that there are speakers and then there are interpreters, and that the speakers were Cornelius and his friends and family (of the Italian band) who in all probability began speaking tongues of Hebrew, and or Aramaic, and or Greek and the men who were with
Baptism and the Holy Spirit
Peter being able to interpret them as this is the best biblical definition of the wonder. Then answered Peter said,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Having been shown the same favor from heaven at the preaching of Jesus as the Jews at Pentecost, Peter went directly to the next thing that he and the original apostles were sent to do—baptize believers in water.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
We note that no hands were laid to bestow the “Gift of the Holy Spirit” and we also note that the Gift was received before or prior to water baptism—an order some religious groups insist is improper. But here is a scriptural example that God is not going to be boxed in.
Some commentators suggest—and I’m not sure they are correct—but they suggest that the Greek implies water being brought (as in when Peter says, “Can any man forbid some water being brought,” like in a bowl or bucket) and used, in small quantities, to sprinkle or pour over them.
Peter's Command
Verse 48
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed (or asked) they him to tarry certain days.
Note a couple other things before we wrap up chapter 10. Peter commanded them to be baptized but why he didn’t perform the ordinance is unknown. Some think cynically that Peter wanted to get the other Jewish converts involved so he wasn’t holding the bag alone when news got out that the Gentiles were baptized in Jesus' name. But I wonder about that explanation.
The Apostles themselves—if we take the example of Paul—seems to be that they did not do much actual baptizing as Paul said in 1st Corinthians 1:14-17: "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel," a line that proves that water baptism was NOT considered part of the Gospel but was an ancillary act to the reception OF the good news.
Finally, we take note that Luke says that those who were baptized were baptized… in the name of the Lord. Now I want you to think about the water baptism you have received or witnessed. In whose name was it? The Lord or the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit? Exactly?
From the Mormons to most Christians, water baptisms are done in the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit. But right here Luke says that Cornelius and his family were baptized in the “name of the Lord.”
The Name of Baptism
As you are well aware, in what we call the Great Commission located in the last chapter of Matthew Jesus is supposed to have said to the apostles:
Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
What’s the deal? From this passage, Jesus apparently told the Apostles to baptize in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (a VERY Trinitarian phrase by the way) but the Apostles NOWHERE do as He says. All through the book of Acts, water baptisms are always done in the name of the Lord? What gives?
The responses are these: That to write to baptize “in the Name of the Lord” was synonymous with baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I would greatly question this as the original Greek is entirely different and if the words Father and Son and Holy Ghost were present there they would be present in English.
That to baptize in the Name of the Lord was just a way for Luke to say the longer terminology. Come on.
Or… perhaps, that to baptize in the name of the Lord was the proper way to perform water baptisms once he paid for sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. and overcame the grave and that some overly excited scribe hoping to formalize the mode of baptism and to reinforce creedal Trinitarianism decided to add “Father Son and Holy Spirit” to the Great Commission mss—a point supported by early Church fathers' writings when they appealed to the Matthew passage. I’d say ding ding ding ding to this.
It is remarkable that the few passages in the New Testament where there has been an obvious manipulation of the text through additions two of the three are aimed at promoting the doctrine of the Trinity.
Okay, let’s get into chapter 11 and
Peter's Vision and the Gentile Conversion
Acts 11:1
And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
The Controversy at Jerusalem
Alright, back to verse 1
“And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.”
This was news – big news – and somehow it worked its way back to the apostles and believers all the way back in Judea and Jerusalem. I’m not so sure we have a parallel in our day but it would be similar to a white person marrying a black in the south in 1953 and living proudly and openly in it. One thing we can be sure of is that it certainly led to contention, trouble, and probably even disgust. (verse 2)
2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
This is an interesting interpretation and I don’t think any version does it justice. For example, we read in Jude the admonition for the believers of that day to “contend earnestly for the faith.” That word means to struggle or wrestle with others about the essentials of Christian truths, like an Olympic wrestler would contend for the victory over an opponent. That Greek word is NOT used here. So it wasn’t like Peter came back to Jerusalem and faced a simple wrestling over doctrine and practice with his brethren and other apostles.
The Meaning of Contention
The word for contended with him here in verse two is DIA-KRINO. Dia means to cut through and krino means to judge so the word really means to totally separate, depart from, completely divide over. That is the contention that is going on here. There were Christians that had converted from Judaism – some form of Judaism, even if it was that they converted from being Samarians – they had a connection to the House of Israel. And while Cornelius was a proselyte at the gate he was still uncircumcised and therefore NOT a Jew – but part of the great unwashed world. In the contention there was a charge laid at Peter’s feet that said he was at fault.
Now, there is a faith that claims that Peter was the first Pope, that He was in charge and all or everything was decided by him. Does this sound like that is the case?
Understanding Early Christian Perspectives
I don’t think so. There was no head of the apostles – they all worked together under Christ the head as His specially trained witnesses. The primitive Christians had no such idea of Peter having an authority. Anyway, he goes to them and there was a diakrino (with them – at verse 3)
3 Saying, “Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.”
You went and married a person not of your race. You were seen eating with a known criminal. You are friends with a homosexual. You went in and attended the services of a Mormon. It’s all the same stuff coming from the same mindset. We are chosen, they are not. We are clean, they are not. They are filthy, we are better – divide with them.
Christian Love Versus Division
It is interesting that these apostles and believers' response to what they had heard Peter do was to . . . that’s right . . . divide from him! It’s what we DO when we think we are better, when we think we are of more value, when we think someone or something can hurt or infect us.
But in the Christian ministry of love, there is no fear (for as John says, there cannot be any fear in love) there is nothing to fret over, there is no one who can hurt us when we have Christ in us. Didn’t Paul say?
Roman 8:33 Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulationA real historical event fulfilled in 70 A.D.—not a future apocalyptic crisis. More, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Didn’t John say:
1st John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Embracing the Real Gospel
We need to move past the fear of all things, the manipulations and division created to apparently protect and exclude, and share the real Jesus and the real Gospel with a world seeking truth, seeking light, needing healing. Greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Christ has had the victory and we have the victory over all things – through Him who lives in us.
Fearless light. Fearless love. (beat)
So being taken to task, we read Peter’s response – which I will for the most part just read straight through since it is almost a verbatim recitation of what happened. (verse 4)
4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
In order, one event after another, as they happened. I think in doing so he shows that He too was prejudiced at the start but had his mind opened as well. It is really an intriguing reality – at least for me in my life – that when I maintain a prejudice or an ardent opinion of a matter that often God shows me otherwise, and again often after I have paid a very high tuition for the education.
Opening Minds and Changing Perspectives
So it is as sometimes the most devout and zealous over a cause are led to see the error of their ways and opinions. One circumstance, one exposure after another have the ability to revamp our prejudices and open us up to another view. So Peter says:
5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: 6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
7 And I heard a voice saying unto me,
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. 12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: 13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
As a side note this phrase is not included in the account in Acts 10. From it I think we can say that in all probability all of Cornelius’s house believed and received water baptism. (at verse 15 Peter continues)
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
Peter's Compliance with God's Will
This passage and line from Peter –
“Forasmuch then . . . as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
In other words, if God had stepped in and given them what we were given, who am I or by what power or right did I have to oppose it?
I love this attitude from Peter – truly a man with the heart for God and seeking to be compliant to His will and ways – so much so that he would overcome all of his own prejudices and comply.
This is not always so with men and women. Often we choose to harbor prejudice and bias in the name of God when in fact God is calling for borders to fall.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
We also note what and who caused the walls to fall around Peter’s heart – the Holy Spirit.
Now listen – the fruit of the Spirit is love. In the early church, and at a time when walls had stood between people for a thousand plus years, what was a tool to evince and create love between the people? Communication.
And so when the Holy Spirit fell on them, they spoke in tongues, and communicated with each other in a common language that could be understood by all. Tongues was the most unifying of expressions – and failure of communication, as evidenced at the tower of Babel, leads to utter division.
So the tongues of that age was a tool – even a sign – that love was at the door and knocking. Take a person from one culture and language and have them begin to speak in the language of another, that other will begin to see that they are dealing with another human being.
The Language of the Holy Spirit
But as stated, the real language of the Holy Spirit is love, or as we read in Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Place yourself in the presence of a people group you have issue with – Polynesians, Europeans, blacks, Asians, Arabs, Indians, women, men, sinners, saints, criminals, achievers, communists, capitalists, socialists, right or left – get right in there with them, die to yourself – letting the Spirit and its fruit reign – and you will also experience unity . . . by the spirit. And God will speak clearly to your heart . . .
Patience will abide. Love will reign. Longsuffering will increase. Understanding will be had.
And unity . . . in love . . . will occur.
18 When they heard these things, they held their peace (this means they stopped contending), and glorified God, saying, “Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”
By and through his words – delivered with the Holy Spirit – they felt inner peace – which convinced them – and they glorified God (because they,
Repentance and Salvation for Jews and Gentiles
At this moment, were willing to let their prejudices die in the face of His will) and responded by saying:
“Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”
The door has been opened to the world, they have seen, and glorified God over the news.
A quick reminder here which is necessary to a sound understanding of what these converted Jews have said here:
The line that is given is that “God has also to the gentiles granted them repentance unto life.”
Now, it is believed that while it was admitted by these believers in Jerusalem that God had “granted them repentance unto life” that the subject of circumcision was still not settled by any means. Additionally, some believe that some of the ardent Jews of Jerusalem, upon Peter taking this step, continued to distance themselves from Peter and turned to James and his leadership over that area – which is entirely possible because we will learn that James did become the head of the church there – and Peter does seem to have lost some ground in that specific vicinity.
So while God has certainly opened the door and this was openly received by some of the believers there the divisions over circumcision were anything but over. All of this shows/proves that where God acts it takes humanity time – sometimes thousands of years – to allow His ways to really take hold.
And again, this was new news to them. There was going to be some clarifications needed to keep the peace – which we will read about in the next few weeks.
Differences in Repentance Between Jews and Gentiles
In light of this note that in receiving the acts of Peter that the Jewish converts to Christ said: that “God has also to the gentiles granted them repentance unto life.” This is true – but it does not play out in the same way for Gentiles as it did for those who were Hebrews. We touched on this last week.
Remember, the COI and the outreach to them by John the Baptist was for them to first REPENT, then be baptized, and to do this as a means to show that they had turned from their former errant views and had turned from their ways that were against God and His law, and to receive the Messiah that had been sent to them.
The word MET-AN-OI-YA is used here toward the Gentiles and it means to feel guilt and to turn. But the Gentiles had no law to feel guilty for breaking. However, “met-an-oi-ya” comes from the root word “met-an-o-eyo which means to change ones mind – this was what was upon the gentiles.
The word that means to feel guilt and turn from the behavior (metanoyeo) is used thirty something times in the New Testament – but Paul uses it to speak to what Gentiles do ONCE they have believed – not in any conversation that is connected with being saved.
Salvation Through Belief
So where feeling guilty and repenting is part of the Gentile walk it is not part of salvation of Gentiles. What is is believing upon Christ – which leads to this repentance. Get it? But such repentance is not unto salvation. In other words the Jews were commanded to METANOYEO – to feel guilty and to change their ways – based on the fact that they had had a way given to them.
But that is not used against Gentiles by Paul. So the fact that the Jewish believers here in Jerusalem used it does NOT mean that they were right – they just thought they were when they said it.
Paul’s message to the Gentiles does not include this same approach. We do NOT read him ever saying: Repent, be baptized for the remission of sins. What we read him saying is: “Believe. Trust. Receive.” Why? Because by and through believe, and by and through the goodness of God understood, we come to repentance for our faithless unloving acts toward God and man.
In other words, the COI repented, believed and were baptized to be saved, but Gentiles believe, and then are baptized and over the course of time are lead to repentance for their failures in the flesh.
Got it?
Good.
We’ll stop there – redeeming the time from last week.
Q and A
