Good morning- what a great day yesterday!! Hold on to your hats today though!
This chapter begins with some controversy! Peter returns to Jerusalem and "the bosses" begin to reprimand him for going to the Gentiles (vv 1-3). He even ate with them!! Eating was a significant sign of relationship...and when a Jew eats with someone, they are accepting that person. We all know that good Jews would never eat with a non-Jew! The apostles in Jerusalem were under the impression that The Way was just for Jews, not for Gentiles. Do we treat people that way? Make remarks to them about hanging out with "them"?
Peter recounts his dream to the apostles; God is "obviously" telling the importance of this story by having Luke write it again. It is a major point that needs to be repeated in case the reader missed it the first time. To address some comments from the story yesterday: At first, Peter thought God was speaking about food. But Peter came to understand the vision of the sheet and kosher and unkosher animals has to do with people, not food. There is a sense in which the sheet represents the church, having both "kosher" (Jews) and "unkosher" (Gentiles) on it, with no distinction. Peter gets that the Good News must be given even to the Gentiles! The conclusion of this recap (v 15) is the important part: it shows that God's stamp of approval was on this ministry to the Gentiles. How could these believing Jews withhold their approval when God had given God's approval? Do we keep the message away from some people> Does the church?
God is moving ministry in the direction of the Gentiles (vv 16-17), who is Peter (or the apostles) to stop God? Peter recognized the importance of sensing where God is going and heading that same direction, instead of trying to persuade God to go your direction. How often do you persuade God to go in your direction rather than follow God's direction?
The Jewish believers in Jerusalem first react with a stunned silence (v 18). They have their epiphany: they saw God was now working among the Gentiles! This is a powerful passage, demonstrating that the hearts of the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem were soft enough to be guided by God. It is a glorious thing when God's people will allow their prejudices and traditions to be overcome by God's Word and God's work. People in the world need to hear this passage!
New person- new story follows: At first, Christians scattered over the Roman Empire preached only to Jews (v 19). But they eventually began to preach Jesus Christ to Gentiles as well. The preaching and teaching in Antioch (v 20) is unique as it is targeted to the Gentiles! The Antioch referenced here is a large city in Syria pointed to by "the finger" of Cyprus (see map).
Pastor Paul
Thank you for both your comments on my question about Peter's vision and today's comments. I once took a Bible Study and said that I kindof wish that we celebrated some of the traditions of the Jewish people in the OT. After all, they are our forefathers as well - we are all descended from Abraham. Why don't we celebrate Passover? Even Jesus celebrated Passover. So if the vision did not also represent food, -why aren't we following some of those restrictions today? It's funny that the Word was first preached to only Jews and yet when they finally started preaching the Word to the Gentiles (as in the chapter), we started adopting their ways of eating. Just look at Peter's response to God about the food. And when I took that Bible Study I sent that question out to several Pastors and one of them mentioned that it had to do with Peter's vision - but only one pastor referred to this. I mean, I know why Jews do not celebrate Easter or Christmas, but why don't we celebrate Passover or Feast of the Tabernacles? I never make remarks to people about who they are hanging out with because there have been times in my life when I was the one considered the "them." I think when churches, as we do, make comments about a certain group of people we are withholding the Good News because they do not feel comfortable in coming to our church - how sad. Not only is it wonderful that the hearts of the Jews were changed when Peter told of his vision, but they immediately believe him and his interpretation. I wonder if I went among a group of Christians who knew me well, told them of a vision I had, how many would immediately believe me? I was once at Kingdom Bound and first heard the song Jesus Freaks by Dc Talk. That used to be a "put down" name for Christians - as in Peter's time it was Jesus People. But now it is a proud title of Christians!! Even if we were "plain Christians" not all clergy people would "preach" the same. They would all have their favorite passages, their interpretations of the Bible, their own message. And I think that's great. I think I could be other denominations - but Methodism, so far, fits me best. So I am glad I have a choice to belong to a denomination where I feel "at home." I do wish more clergy people would not only encourage their congregation to attend different churches of their own denomination but to attend different churches of different denominations. Not just once (because you can't form a true opinion) but many times during a year and then report back their thoughts! That would be very interesting!!! What a beautiful day! Enjoy this day that God has made!!! P.S. - Yes, Pastor, I agree - I would LOVE a meet and greet!!
ReplyDeleteYou bring up some interesting thoughts...we don't celebrate Passover because we aren't Jewish. I guess my thought is, if we celebrated that then we should also celebrate the other customs- it would be difficult to pick and choose. Jesus celebrated the Passover because he was Jewish. This was actually a huge discussion at a church I know about celebrating the Passover sedar on Maundy Thursday. We can talk more! You bring up many interesting points and conversation starters! The original "Christianity" was a blend of Judiasm and The Way...but the two began to separate as they saw differences in their theology (i.e. Who was Jesus!)
DeleteGood points!
Donna I find some of the Jewish traditions very appealing as well. I once took a bible study with someone who was raised Jewish and Christian. I felt she was way more informed then the rest of us. I so agree Donna with celebrating passover. I have so often thought it Jesus appeared to me would I recognize him and would I believe him ... Would I believe someone who told me they had a vision? Donna you mentioned Kingdom Bound. I went there twice with my children. What a wonderful experience!
ReplyDeleteI don't ever recall hearing where the word Christian came from. Thank you for sharing that Pastor Paul.
Cindy, I wish I knew more about the Jewish religion and traditions. It is the only religion where if someone says, I am Jewish, they mean both faith and nationality. Maybe we can look into this more and share our findings!! I LOVE KB. I went there for many years - first a group of us camped for several years and then we started renting one of those campers. I so miss not going during the summer. It's such a great way to explore things you are interested in and listening to the groups!!
DeleteCindy- there is an excellent NT theologian- Amy-Jill Levine. She is a devout Jew but an expert in NT Christianity- to hear her talk really opens your eyes. We do miss out some when we don't know the stories and faith of our Hebrew ancestors.
DeleteI have been wondering: I have seen the name "Paul" throughout the comments in the past few chapters. I was thinking that "...this is about Peter and not Paul." Also, Saul is a prominent person in these chapters. I have learned from Rhea that Saul became Paul and, now, everything makes more sense. This is one of my Epiphanies, and I know I will have more.
ReplyDeleteI got great pleasure reading Chapter 10 and here it is again in the first part of Chapter 11. The sharing of food between Jews is something I never knew about. I thought it was very interesting that Jewish people are very fussy about who they eat with. I once worked with a Jewish fellow who, I believe, was very strict about his Judaism. They had a separate set of dishes that they only used for the Seder meal. I could have learned so much from this gentleman, but we never really got in touch with each other, so the opportunity passed. I was at a point in my life then where I didn't really care about religion or the Bible. At that time, I didn't believe in Jesus, and I still struggle to imagine that His story ever happened. Rhea told me that I have to have faith that it did because it doesn't compute in my scientific mind. Faith, I have learned, is a very powerful concept (for lack of a better word).
I never knew that this was the first time that the term "Christian" was used. Another Epiphany.
The prediction of a famine is troubling. I wonder if it happens in the next chapter.
Have a nice weekend. It is supposed to be warm and windy here in the Wild West this weekend.
Good for Rhea for clearing up (and sorry I didn't) Saul and Paul are the same person. His Hebrew name is Saul; the Latin/Greek translations of that name are Paul...they are the same!
DeleteThe Jews are very much into their religion and many are strict with their customs. Many different traditions to follow! It is hard to understand and believe all...my science background has me question lots- and that is ok, them more I question, the more I dig and read and understand...and grow in faith!
Acts is such a great story!
Thanks for the comments and thoughts!
This chapter starts with a review of Peter entering a home of a Gentile and also eating with them. As He explains to the church in Jerusalem that he saw a vision from God so he went to the home. He then tells them that the vision meant that none of what God makes is unclean and that the Gentile family believed and worshipped Jesus, and they were baptized. Tis was all witnessed by 6 brothers so the church believed and praised God. However I don't believe that all Christian Jews believed it was right for Gentiles to be baptized .. Sometimes we may see people we don't think are right being brought to church as they may have bad reputations etc, but we need to remember God forgives all our sins as Jesus died for us All.
ReplyDeleteThe scattered Christians were witnessing in many areas that they had fled to but were witnessing to Jews. some believers however were witnessing in Antioch to Gentiles and large numbers of them turned to the Lord. This was the first the believers were called Christians as there were Jews and Gentiles both so the were named Ones who followed Christ or Christians I found this to be very interesting as I really was not aware of how the term started. The church continues to grow.
A prophet predicted there was to be a famine upon the Roman Empire ,so church in Antioch sent relief to Jerusalem. God wants us to aid others in need, I think our church in Little Meadows does try to help others and does often do this.
Have a great weekend all and enjoy the weather and sunshine.
There was much discussion in the Jewish-Christian community about welcoming and accepting the Gentiles! I like your comment about Bad reputation people in the church-- we can all learn from that!
DeleteGod does want us to help- and this famine is just one of those stories that is relevant to today!
Good comments Clara!
I noticed that the Holy Spirit had a lot to do with this chapter. vs 12- "The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make distinction between them and us." Peters remembered the word of the Lord "John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." God gave the same gift of the Holy Spirit to all who believe.
ReplyDeleteI find Jewish holidays interesting as well. My nephew has a best friend (girl) who was raised as a Christian but decided to become Jewish as a late teen. She is a very intelligent young lady who has studied Judaism extensively. She is an administrator at Hillel Academy. This lady is a very strict orthodox Jew which makes life hard for their friendship. (He has to open the car door for her on holy days because she considers that "work".) She has come to our house many times for holidays. Sometimes she brings her own food or only eats certain things that she thinks are OK for her. I think that it's fascinating that someone can "change" their religious beliefs. Just imagine if, when December came, we celebrated that the oil in the lamps lasted for 8 days and that was it!. No Christmas. No familiar songs, traditions, services, etc. Just on to January. When we talk about all the people in Acts being converted by the thousands imagine what they all were going through. They must have had their own traditions all their lives. In a way, it's amazing that the Christian church grew like it did.
Luke does bring out the Holy Spirit quite a bit in these stories. Paul does some of it in the epistles, but definitely not as much as Luke here. Remember- the story of the first Christian Pentecost from Acts 2 is still somewhat in the minds of people (although this was several years before these stories we are reading now).The comment you make about Christmas is interesting. The Jewish religion is full of traditions and festivals with lots of song and dance- but we just are not as familiar with them. December would be strange for us though for sure!!
DeleteThe church was certainly on fire wasn't it!
Good comments Cathy!
Where did the name Christian come from, maybe made up by enemies of the church wanting to change believers, or believers wanting to change the group of believers of Christ to Christians. Christians were first heard around Antioch, and now around the world. Have always wanted to know why different churches have different rules. But in today's world people try and change his word, Maybe they are thinking it is for the better, and making it easier for us to live, it's hard to think about changing his word. It feels like we are coming out of hibernation. Enjoy
ReplyDeleteDifferent churches have different rules and beliefs- many come from the reformation and the original split from the Roman Catholic church. I just finished a class on the reformation- very interesting as to how some of the theologies and traditions started!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rose Marie!