Bible Study - Acts 11: 1-18

Read Acts chapter 11 verses 1-18

Although Peter was one of the senior apostles he had to account to the other apostles and the rest of the church membership back in Jerusalem for what he had been doing in Caesarea. Accepting gentiles into the church and baptising them was such a revolutionary step that word had inevitably got back to Jerusalem faster than Peter could travel. Peter had some explaining to do and he was challenged the moment he arrived. He had to give a very full account.

It was such a strong case and was put over with such conviction and power that those who had been so critical were won over. They had been anxious that Peter might have been compromising the basic principles of the faith, contravening some of the fundamental rules that they had been brought up with, and so jeopardising the whole movement. Perhaps they were still a bit uneasy about how things would develop from here. Would it rapidly become impossible for Jewish disciples to remain within the fellowship if there were so many new disciples who were from the wrong background and who had totally alien customs and a very foreign way of looking at things?

For thought

Do I worry that the church today is too wiling to compromise some of its traditional beliefs and practices just to make itself more attractive to people outside the church, people who have a different outlook? Am I always reasonable about this? Do I listen to all the arguments like Peter's critics did before I make up my mind?

Peter took a considerable risk in admitting gentiles so freely to the church. He might have alienated a lot of other disciples. Would I be prepared to take such a risk if I felt as sure as Peter did that it was the right thing to do?

Do I really give enough time and try sufficiently hard in my prayers to listen to what the Holy Spirit might be trying to say to me?

Prayer

Lord give me true discernment. Help me to see clearly what is necessary for true faith and what is just my prejudice. Help all Christians to be open to the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Norbury Parish Church, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire. Telephone: 0161-483 8640