Acts 11:1-18 -- 5/27/07 (The Lord's Church)

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Acts 11:1-18

We might be tempted to skip Acts 11:1-18. Why? Because it is a rehashing of chapter 10. There is very little new information in this portion. However, we are not going to skip it. Why not? Because the Lord chose to have his writer Luke include it. If the Lord took the pains to include it, surely we can take the pains to study it. Perhaps you did that little assignment from Sunday evening. How many times is the vision of Cornelius recorded in Acts 10 and 11? And how many times the vision of Peter? Believe it or not, Cornelius’ vision is related four times and Peter’s twice. Think about it. There was so much that Luke could have told in the book of Acts, but there was only room for so much. It is likely that he was trying to fit it all on one scroll and did so. So he had to be very selective. Wouldn’t we love to hear some of the testimonies of the 3,000 who were saved at Pentecost? Wouldn’t we love to know what Saul did while he was in Arabia? But instead of telling us those things, Luke tells of this vision to Cornelius and then retells it three more times. Add to that Peter’s vision twice. This is what the Holy Spirit led Luke to write, and the Holy Spirit makes no mistakes. God Himself believes it important to repeat these details. This makes it very clear that the conversion of Cornelius and Peter’s role in it is extremely important.

So let’s launch into this passage by first considering the occasion that led Peter to give his eyewitness account of what happened in chapter 10.

Introduction: The Occasion (11:1-4)

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,

News of what happened in the home of Cornelius reached Jerusalem before Peter did. We see this in verse 1-2, "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." We don’t know how long it was before Peter went to Jerusalem. You will remember that before going to Cornelius’ home, he had been staying in Joppa. We are not told, but I strongly suspect that Peter went straight from Caesarea to Jerusalem, a journey of over 50 miles. Peter was well aware of what a big deal this was, that "Gentiles had also received the Word of God." However, we know from the last verse in chapter 10 that Cornelius and those with him had urged Peter to stay with them "certain days." Since we are not told differently, we can assume that he did so. This delay allowed the news to beat Peter back to Jerusalem.

When Peter did arrive, he was met by "they that were of the circumcision," who contended with him. That is, they debated with him, argued with him, opposed him. Best we can tell, they had formed some strong opinions before they ever talked to Peter himself. That is quite typical. Do you ever find yourself doing that? I do.

Who were these of the circumcision? At first glance, we would think that these were simply Jewish Christians. In 10:45, this same phrase is used to designate the Jewish Christians who were with Peter. However, at this point virtually all the Christians of Jerusalem were Jewish, and Luke is obviously not talking about everyone in the church. It seems pretty clear that "they that were of the circumcision" refers to a specific group who were zealous for the Jewish law. We read in Acts 15:5 that these same opinions would be expressed later by "certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed." Paul will deal extensively with this issue in his letter to the Galatians. The seeds of this conflict seem to come from these Jewish believers who were zealous for the Gentile-Jewish division.

Notice their specific accusation against Peter: "You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them" (vs. 3). They didn’t rebuke him for preaching the gospel to Cornelius and the others; they blasted him for going into a Gentile home and eating with Gentiles. It would seem that their primary concern was not the spread of the gospel, but the maintaining of the separating wall between Jew and Gentile. And that is understandable, in light of God’s law. However, they made their accusations before asking anything of Peter, the man who was there as an eyewitness.

Nevertheless, Peter did respond to their accusation. He didn’t say, "Listen, God told me to go to Cornelius." That would have been true, would it not? And how can anyone argue with, "God told me to do it?" Peter could have pulled rank on them and said, "Listen, I am an apostle. How can you question my actions?" But he didn’t do that. Rather than appealing to just his own experience and interpretation of it, "Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them" (vs. 4). He simply related the truth of what had happened. He gave them the facts. What we want to look at now is how the Lord prepared Peter, according to his own testimony. Since Peter tells it again, we will look at it again.

I. God’s Preparation for the Miracle

Go back again to Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." On the Day of Pentecost, 3,000 came to Jesus in Jerusalem, and the gospel continued to have a great impact in that city. We read in chapter 8 about the spread of the gospel into Samaria, and about how the Samaritans were received into the church, right alongside the Jews. But what about "the uttermost part of the earth"? Who lived in the uttermost part of the earth? While there were a few Jews scattered here and there, the rest of the world was overwhelmingly Gentile.

So we see that the Lord’s design is to extend the gospel witness to the far reaches of the earth, and that will include multitudes of Gentiles. That concept brought up a major problem. The Christians were Jews, and Jews didn’t like Gentiles. That’s an understatement. Jews hated Gentiles, and the feeling was mutual. Let me read you a few words from Pastor John MacArthur concerning the division between Jews and Gentiles…
A strict Jew wouldn't allow himself to be a guest in a Gentile house, neither would he invite one to be a guest in his own home. A scribal law said that the dwelling places of Gentiles were unclean…
The Jews viewed Gentiles as unclean, and that had great ramifications. For example, milk that was drawn from a cow by Gentile hands was not allowed to be consumed by Jews. Bread and oil prepared by a Gentile could be sold to a stranger, but could never be used by a Jew. No Jew would ever eat with a Gentile. If a Gentile was ever invited to a Jewish house, he couldn't be left in the room lest he defile all the food in the room. If cooking utensils were bought from a Gentile, they had to be purified by fire and water.
The Gentiles retaliated. They scorned the Jews. Circumcision, the Sabbath day rest, worship of an invisible God, abstinence from certain foods, and all other aspects of the Jewish life-style were points of mockery for the Gentiles. ("Salvation Reaches Out: The Salvation of the Gentiles—Part 1" by John MacArthur… www.biblebb.com/files/mac/sg1734.htm)

The Jews were especially proud of the law and their adherence to it. They stood firmly on that ground. In Romans 2:17-29 Paul essentially says, "The Jew thinks he is saved because of his nationality and his possession of the law. " They considered the Gentiles to be pagans; they had nothing but contempt for them. The years had only widened the gulf. Even with the birth of the church, it was very difficult for the first Christians (who were all Jews) to reach out to the Gentiles. That demanded special preparation from God. The exclusiveness that God had designed for Israel for the purpose of holiness had become perverted and developed into a matter of pride.
The Jews hated the Gentiles, and the Gentiles hated the Jews. Some Jews said that the Gentiles were created by God to be fuel for the fires of hell. If a Jewish boy married a Gentile girl, a funeral was held by his family. In return, the Gentiles looked on Jews as slave material--they persecuted, oppressed, and killed them. The Gentiles commonly said that the Jews were enemies of the human race…
This deep disunity had existed long enough to present a real problem to the church. The Spirit of God had to shatter that kind of attitude before He could weld the church together into one body. ("Salvation Reaches Out: The Salvation of the Gentiles—Part 1" by John MacArthur… www.biblebb.com/files/mac/sg1735.htm)

So when I speak of God’s preparation for the "miracle," I am not being dramatic. For Jews and Gentiles to be reconciled together in one body (Eph. 2:14-16) would require a mighty miracle of God.

Though Peter first speaks of the preparation of his own heart, the preparation actually begins with Cornelius, who was a Gentile. Peter gives this brief summary of what happened to Cornelius in verses 13-14, "And he showed 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."
From chapter 10, we learn that Cornelius was earnestly seeking God. Listen to the description of him in Acts 10:2, "A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway." We learn in 10:22 that he was also well-respected by the Jewish people. So here is a man in whom God has been working, for no one seeks God on his own.

So if he was well-respected by the Jews, what was the problem? Don’t misunderstand this. He stood head and shoulders above other Gentiles, but he was still an uncircumcised Gentiles. While he may have the respect of the Jews, that did not mean that any Jews would be willing to enter his house or to sit down and eat with him. No Jew would dream of doing so. Where will God find a Jewish believer who will go to Cornelius?

In reality, God would prepare a Jewish Christian to take the gospel to Cornelius. And His instrument would be Peter. Let’s read Peter’s own account in Acts 11:5-11…
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.

So why this vision? Why didn’t the Lord just tell Peter to go to Cornelius’ house? It’s kind of like some of you who sometimes get into that attitude: "Ron, if you’ll just tell us what to do, we will do it." We must understand that the prejudices of Peter were very deep. Even more important, we must understand that his convictions were based on the Word of God. In Leviticus 11, God gave some detailed instructions about which animals were clean and which were unclean. He instructed His people to eat the clean animals but not to eat the unclean. Peter knew this and other similar passages very well.

When the sheet-like vessel was lowered, there were "all manner" (10:12) of living creatures in it. There before Peter were both clean and unclean animals. When the Lord said, "Kill and eat," Peter immediately responded, "Not so, Lord; for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth." This wasn’t the first time Peter rebuked the Lord. Why didn’t Peter eagerly obey the Lord? Because he knew what the law said in Leviticus 11.

Verse 9, "But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." We are not given Peter’s response at this time. Don’t you know this was turmoil for him, as he wrestled with what seemed to be two conflicting divine commands? How could he do what he knew to be wrong? On the other hand, how could he not obey the voice of the Lord?
We don’t know how long this vision lasted, but it must have taken some time, for verse 10 says, "And this was done three times; and all were drawn up again into heaven." When we are told that it happened three times, it must mean that the whole sequence occurred three times. The animals were let down; God commanded Peter to eat; Peter objected; the Lord told him not to call common what He had cleansed. Yes, this whole sequence happened three times.

So did God change His mind? If it had always been wrong for a Jew to eat unclean animals, how could it now be right? Yet it was the Lord Himself who was telling Peter not to call any of these animals unclean. We might ask a parallel question: Would it be right for us to go out and get a sheep, bring it in here, kill it, and offer it’s blood on an altar for the covering of our sins? Of course, it would be wrong. Not only would it be wrong, but it would have no meaning. Why? Because Jesus fulfilled the need for a sacrifice, by sacrificing Himself once for all on the cross. Those blood sacrifices of the Old Testament were only a picture of what Jesus, the Lamb of God, would do. Since Jesus fulfilled all of that, we don’t do it any more.

So it is with the eating of unclean meats. As we discovered from our study of chapter 10, the dietary laws of the Jews was given primarily to maintain their separation from the Gentiles. After giving detailed explanations of what was clean and what was unclean in Leviticus 11, the Lord gives us this insight in Lev. 20:25-26…
Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean. 26. And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.

Remember that the word "holy" means "set apart." The Lord intended for His people to be set apart, and the dietary laws were a huge part of that, because the Gentiles ate all kinds of animals, making no distinction.

But what about Peter and the present command to kill and eat? With the death and resurrection of Jesus, the purpose of the dietary laws had been fulfilled. There was no longer any reason to keep Jews and Gentiles apart. As a matter of fact, God’s great and wonderful plan was to include Jews and Gentiles together in the church. This is what we find in Eph. 2-3 (see message on Acts 10). To continue the dietary laws as a means of separation was to try to thwart the purpose of God. The Lord’s purpose was to break down the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile.

So does the Lord no longer desire a distinction between His people and the world? Does He no longer desire holiness in His people? Of course, He does, but just as in so many other areas, the distinction is no longer to be an outward thing, but a thing of the heart. What did Jesus do, when He went back to sit at the right hand of the Father? He sent the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who works this "set apartness" in us.

Look again at verse 11, "And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me." Notice the word "immediately." The visions had barely ended when these three men showed up. Notice in verse 10 and 11 the mention of the word "three." It is no accident that the vision was repeated three times and then the three men sent by Cornelius showed up. The Lord didn’t want Peter to miss the connection between the clean and unclean animals and the clean and unclean people. As surely as He had obliterated the distinctions between the one, so had He done with the other.

II. The Execution of the Plan

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 showed 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.

The arrival of the three men indicates that the preparation of God’s instrument was complete. Everything was right on schedule. When the Spirit urged Peter to go with these three men, he went. Notice what Peter said to Cornelius when he arrived, as reported in Acts 10:29, "Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying [without objection], as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?" Considering his refusal to kill and eat, we might want to read this as "without any further objection," but Peter is speaking only of his encounter with the three men sent by Cornelius. Through the vision and the fact that there were three men to correspond to the thrice-repeated vision, Peter had been taught by God.

Now as Peter relates the story, he gives a very short account of what Cornelius told him. You can read a fuller account back in chapter 10. Peter does give us a new piece of information which we didn’t learn in chapter 10. Read back over verses 13-14 again, "And he showed 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." In chapter 10, Cornelius relates that the angel simply told him to send for Peter, and "he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do" (10:6). Was Peter relating the actual words of Cornelius? Or was he giving the fuller interpretation of the words, as he looked back on the experience? I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter. Whether or not Cornelius spoke these words, what Peter would actually tell him was how he and his house could be saved.

So we see that after God made the necessary preparations, out of an obedient faith, Peter actually went to the house of Cornelius. He actually entered into the home of a Gentile. Peter did something he thought he would never, ever do. It was God’s plan, and Peter was doing the Lord’s will.

Though it was Peter who carried the gospel to Cornelius, and though it was Cornelius and the others who believed, don’t ever forget that it was God who executed the plan. In every good work, there is the divine and the human aspect, but don’t ever forget that the initiative is always with God. Cornelius didn’t decide that he would seek the Lord. Long before he sought the Lord, the Lord was seeking him. Peter certainly didn’t decide it would be a good idea to preach to the Gentiles. God deliberately and carefully prepared him for the task. But this was God’s plan all along. Way back when He chose Abraham and made him a great nation, God made it clear that Abraham, through his seed, would be a blessing to all peoples. And listen to the prophecy of Isaiah 700 years before Jesus was born… (Is. 49:5-6)
And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. 6. And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Peter and Cornelius were the principal actors in the drama, but the writer, producer, and director was God Himself. Don’t ever forget that "salvation belongs to the Lord" (Ps. 3:8).

III. The Glory of the Result

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 sermon Peter preached in the home of Cornelius is recorded in Acts 10:34-43. Peter doesn’t repeat a word of it here. Perhaps that is because his audience knew well what he preached, regardless of who was listening. It was always the same basic message. They had heard it many times. Peter simply says, "And as I began to speak…" This seems to indicate that Peter could have said a great deal more, but it wasn’t necessary. As he began to speak, "the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning."

Surely "the beginning" is a reference to what happened on the Day of Pentecost, as recorded in chapter 2. Remember what Jesus told His 12 apostles shortly before He ascended back to the Father. Let’s read it in Acts 1:4-5…
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Peter remembered those words well, and he remembered just as well how they were fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost. And he could not help but relate it all to what happened in Cornelius’ house. Peter could see no difference. Just as the Spirit had fallen on him and his fellow-Jews in fulfillment of Jesus’ promise, so now the Spirit had fallen on Cornelius and those with him.
Now remember the context. Peter is speaking these words to the group of Jewish believers who were having a hard time with the concept of Gentiles being saved (without first becoming Jews).

So now in verse 17, Peter gives his defense. While they had accused him of entering a Gentile home and eating with Gentiles, Peter knew the real issue was the reception of the gospel by the Gentiles. So he says, "Since God gave them the same gift that He gave us who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand against God?" Peter was saying: "By the giving of the Holy Spirit, God Himself spoke. What could I do but receive His witness and baptize these new believers?"

It is obvious that God used Peter’s brief testimony in a powerful way, because we read in verse 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." They recognized that God Himself had given the Gentiles the gift of repentance unto life. Compare this with Acts 5:31, "Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." Now as God had given to Israelites this gift, so he has granted that same gift of repentance unto life to Gentiles.

Aren’t you glad he did! Sometimes we forget that we are Gentiles. Spiritually, we were born on the wrong side of the tracks. Listen to Paul’s description of us in Eph 2:11-12…
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12. That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.

That’s who we were. But praise God for what He did in Christ Jesus. Eph. 2:13-14…
13. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.

If those Jewish Christians to whom Peter spoke glorified God, how much more should we glorify God, for we are the Gentiles to whom the gospel has been effectively proclaimed! Imagine it – we who had no hope and were without God in the world can now have life, life in all its fulness, life more abundantly in Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

Please allow me to make a few concluding remarks. We have seen the fulfillment of the promise of Acts 1:8. It’s true that this is only the beginning of their witness going to the uttermost part of the earth, but it is the beginning. The great barrier was broken that day when the Spirit fell upon Cornelius and those with him.

I have suggested that we might think of chapters 2, 8, and 10 respectively as the Jewish Pentecost, the Samaritan Pentecost, and the Gentile Pentecost. We find some unusual things happening in connection with each one of these events. When the Jews first received the Spirit (ch. 2) and when the Gentiles first received the Spirit (ch. 10), they spoke in tongues. When the Samaritans received the Spirit (ch. 8), there is no record of tongues or anything else. However, there was something that made it evident, for even the sorcerer Simon could see the evidence.

People have asked for centuries about these unusual manifestations of the coming of the Spirit. I don’t pretend to have all the answers for the many questions that have been asked. However, there are some principles from which we can learn. First of all, remember that these were major breakthroughs to the spread of the gospel. In Jerusalem, none of them had ever experienced the coming of the Spirit. And in chapter 8, no one was sure that Samaritans could receive the Spirit. And when we come to the Gentile Cornelius, there was a great need to confirm that the Gentiles could truly believe the gospel, be saved, and receive the Spirit.

Of course, the question always comes up: "What about today? Does the Lord want to produce those same outward manifestations in us?" Again, I don’t have all the answers. He is God, and He will do what He pleases. But let’s be clear on one thing. The key is the presence and work of the Spirit in the believer’s life, not the outward manifestations. Go back to Peter’s words in 11:17, "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?" What was the gift Peter spoke of? Was he speaking of the gifts of the Spirit? No. The gift was the Spirit Himself. That was the gift to which Peter referred. The outward manifestations only confirmed that they had received the gift, the Holy Spirit Himself. Go back to Pentecost and you will find the exact same thing in Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Not the "gifts," but the gift. The Holy Spirit is the gift, and in fulfillment of the promise He was given to those who repented and believed.

So what does the Lord want to do in us and through us by His Spirit? I don’t have all the answers to that question either, but let’s start with what we find in the book of Acts. What was the primary work of the Spirit in these early chapters of Acts? We are told at the very outset of the book. Let’s read it again, Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." They were told they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. Power for what? Power to speak in tongues? Power to heal? No, power to bear witness to the Lord Jesus Christ. They could not be His witnesses apart from the power of the Holy Spirit. That is why Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem until they were "endued [clothed] with power from on high" (Lk. 24:49).

So do we have this Holy Spirit power? If you are truly a child of God, the Spirit dwells within you. So if that is true, do you have this power? Not necessarily. That is why we are commanded in Eph. 5:18 to be filled with the Spirit. In Luke 11:13, Jesus said, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" There is certainly nothing wrong with asking for the working of the Spirit in our lives. However, we must understand the purpose. In light of the context, the reason we long for and ask for the Spirit to work in our lives is that we might have something to give to others, so that we might have the grace to effectively share the life of Jesus with those around us.

On the other hand, when the Spirit fell on the disciples at Jerusalem and later upon Cornelius at Caesarea, there was no asking for the Spirit. These believers were simply seeking the Lord with all their hearts. And when the building was shaken and the believers were filled with the Spirit in Acts 4:31, they didn’t ask to be filled with the Spirit. They asked that God would grant that they might speak the Word with boldness. It is when we keep on thirsting for Jesus, keep on drinking from Him, and keep on trusting Him that rivers of living water will flow out of our innermost being. That, says John in 7:39, is the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

The Lord knows my heart. When I have talked about us praying to be filled with the Spirit, and have prayed that we might be filled with the Spirit, I want you to know that outward manifestations are not what I have in mind. The Lord can do what He wants to do in that area. When it comes to the Holy Spirit, our focus must be Jesus’ focus, and Jesus said of the Spirit in Jn. 16:14, "He shall glorify me." May God write that on our hearts. The Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus.

Let me be as honest with you as I can. I love you, and I want to speak the truth to you in love. There are some here who will be tempted to focus on the outward manifestations of the Spirit's work. You are in danger of becoming sidetracked and missing the real work of the Spirit. There are others of you who are on the other side of the issue. Because you have seen abuses, you fear the work of the Holy Spirit. You are afraid that the Spirit might do something that would make you feel uncomfortable, and your fear will prevent you from experiencing the work of the Spirit in your life. By the grace of God, may we not fall off on either side. Rather, may we realize that apart from the presence and work of the Holy Spirit, we have no power to be a testimony for our Lord Jesus. It is the Spirit who glorifies Christ.

As a local body, we exist solely for the glory of God, and we pursue that glory by knowing Him and making Him known. May we long for the Spirit of God to empower us for that purpose. May we not be sidetracked by other issues, but may we long to glorify Him, for that is why the Spirit was sent (Jn. 16:14).

Acts 9:32-10:18 -- 5/6/07 P.M. (The Lord's Church)

Sunday Evening, May 6, 2007

Acts 9:32-10:48

Let’s begin by reading the rest of chapter 9.
32. And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints [there’s that term again, which means "the set apart ones"] which dwelt at Lydda. 33. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. 34. And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. 35. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

Our story returns to Peter now. And it is another case of miraculous healing. Notice especially the result of this healing in verse 35, "And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord." The man who was healed had the same kind of impact on the local people as the resurrected Lazarus had on the people of Bethany.

36. Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 37. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 39. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. 42. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. 43. And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

We move from the healing of Aeneas to an even greater physical miracle, the raising of Dorcas from the dead. But notice again the result – "and many believed in the Lord." That was the focus of Jesus’ miracles and that is the focus of the miracles we see in the book of Acts. They are performed for the glory of the Lord, and He is most glorified when people are converted and give Him all the glory.

Acts 10

Now we come to another very crucial event in the book of Acts, in the spread of the gospel. We will be dealing with the conversion of Cornelius and his household. But before we are ready for this story, we must be reminded again of the situation of that day. As we will see, Cornelius was a Gentile. He had never been circumcised; he was a Gentile; in the eyes of a Jew, he was unclean.

Come again to Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." We have seen the witness in Jerusalem, especially in chapters 2-5. Then in chapters 6-8, we watched that witness extend into Judaea and Samaria, noting especially how the Lord saved Samaritans through Philip’s preaching and then added them to His church when Peter and John came down. But there is one more step in this progression. Although the Jews tended to limit their vision to Israel, God’s had much larger perspective. The greatest part of the movement of the gospel was bound up with those words "unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Having the privilege of being able to look back, we know that it was God’s design to take the gospel beyond the borders of Judaism. Let’s read again his plan in Ephesians 2. I suspect that many of us learned to appreciate Eph. 2:1-10 long before we began to get hold of the second half of the chapter. In those first 10 verses, we see the wonderful miracle of God bringing salvation to people who were dead in their trespasses and sins and creating them in Christ Jesus unto God works. Praise God for that, but if we stop there, we haven’t begun to appreciate the mighty working of our Lord. Let’s read the rest in Eph. 2:11-22… [As we read, note the bold words and how they emphasize the oneness of Jew and Gentile. Take your time, for this is no small thing].
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12. That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16. And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17. And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21. In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22. In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Do you see the overwhelming emphasis on oneness of Jew and Gentile? And then finally, Paul says to the Gentiles, "In Christ you too are being built together for a dwelling place of God through the Spirit." Talk about radical… that was radical!

That isn’t the end of what Paul has to say. In chapter 3, he speaks of a great mystery, a revealed secret. In verses 6-10, he identifies and expands on that mystery…
That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel…… 9. And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10. To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God…

He says that the heavenly beings will learn from the church the manifold wisdom of God. How can it be? What can the church teach heaven? That is how profound this union of Jews and Gentiles is. There is nothing more impossible in all the universe than for Jews and Gentiles to be reconciled together into one living body.

This is the part of the extension of the gospel that is yet to come, as we leave chapters 8 and 9. It is one thing to talk about Gentiles receiving the gospel, it is another thing to think about them becoming a part of the same family with the Jews.

Why was this such a difficult thing? It was because of the mutual hatred that existed between the Jews and the Gentiles. I want to read you a few paragraphs from a sermon by John MacArthur, which illustrate the great gulf between Jew and Gentile…
A strict Jew wouldn't allow himself to be a guest in a Gentile house, neither would he invite one to be a guest in his own home. A scribal law said that the dwelling places of Gentiles were unclean. The dirt from a Gentile country was also considered unclean. If anyone happened to track some Gentile dirt into Israel, the dirt remained defiled--it never mingled with Israel's soil; it just continually defiled the dirt of Israel. Consequently, whenever travelers left a Gentile country, they would always shake the dust off their feet, so they wouldn't bring Gentile pollution into Israel. When Jesus sent out the seventy to preach the gospel, He told them that if anyone didn't hear their words, they were to shake the dust off their feet (Mt. 10:14). In other words, they were to treat him as a Gentile.
The Jews viewed Gentiles as unclean, and that had great ramifications. For example, milk that was drawn from a cow by Gentile hands was not allowed to be consumed by Jews. Bread and oil prepared by a Gentile could be sold to a stranger, but could never be used by a Jew. No Jew would ever eat with a Gentile. If a Gentile was ever invited to a Jewish house, he couldn't be left in the room lest he defile all the food in the room. If cooking utensils were bought from a Gentile, they had to be purified by fire and water.
The Gentiles retaliated. They scorned the Jews. Circumcision, the Sabbath day rest, worship of an invisible God, abstinence from certain foods, and all other aspects of the Jewish life-style were points of mockery for the Gentiles.
Jews and Gentiles had been butting heads for centuries. Then came Christ, intending to make them one new man. In theory, that was an easy thing to accomplish, but it was a difficult thing for the Jew to practice… For God to turn the dichotomy of Jew and Gentile into unity, He needed to make some preparations. ("Salvation Reaches Out: The Salvation of the Gentiles—Part 1" by John MacArthur… www.biblebb.com/files/mac/sg1734.htm)

The Jews were especially proud of the law and their adherence to it. They stood firmly on that ground. In Romans 2:17-29 Paul essentially says, "The Jew thinks he is saved because of his nationality and his possession of the law. " They considered the Gentiles to be pagans; they had nothing but contempt for them. The years had only widened the gulf. Even with the birth of the church, it was very difficult for the first Christians (who were all Jews) to reach out to the Gentiles. That demanded special preparation from God. The exclusiveness that God had designed for Israel for the purpose of holiness had become perverted and developed into a matter of pride.
The Jews hated the Gentiles, and the Gentiles hated the Jews. Some Jews said that the Gentiles were created by God to be fuel for the fires of hell. If a Jewish boy married a Gentile girl, a funeral was held by his family. In return, the Gentiles looked on Jews as slave material--they persecuted, oppressed, and killed them. The Gentiles commonly said that the Jews were enemies of the human race. The contempt of the Gentile for the Jew is illustrated by Pilate's dripping sarcasm when he said, "Am I a Jew?. . . " (Jn. 18:35). You can sense the same sting of Gentile hate in the owners of the slave girl who was possessed by a spirit of divination (Ac. 16:16). When Paul and Silas came to Philippi and cast the demon out of her, her owners said, ". . . These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city" (v. 20). There was great hatred among the Gentiles for the Jews, as if they didn't even belong in the framework of humanity.
This deep disunity had existed long enough to present a real problem to the church. The Spirit of God had to shatter that kind of attitude before He could weld the church together into one body. ("Salvation Reaches Out: The Salvation of the Gentiles—Part 1" by John MacArthur… www.biblebb.com/files/mac/sg1735.htm)

This is why this section of Acts (10:1-11:18) is such a big deal. Could a man like Cornelius ever hope to be reconciled with Jews? If so, would he have to come through the door of circumcision? Let’s ask God to speak to us as we go through this section of Acts. PRAY.

This passage is very important in the book of Acts. It is here that we have for the first time the inclusion of Gentiles in the church. It is true that we have already seen the salvation of an individual Gentile in the person of the Ethiopian eunuch. But now, because this experience is closer to home and Peter is present, the church must deal with it. We might structure this passage as follows…
1. The preparation for Peter’s witness to the Gentiles (Peter at Joppa)……10:1-23a
2. The conversion of Cornelius and his household (Peter at Caesarea)……10:23b-48
3. The reception of Gentiles by the church (Peter at Jerusalem)…………. 11:1-18

1. There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2. A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
… Cornelius introduced
… the vision described
… his response to the vision

In these first two verses we are introduced to Cornelius. He was a centurion. A centurion was a Roman officer who was in charge of 100 men. The soldiers Cornelius commanded were men from Italy, who had been stationed in Palestine at this time. It is interesting that the word "centurion" is found in the New Testament 20 times, and every single time the centurions are cast in a good light.

Verse 2 describes the character of Cornelius. He was a devout man who feared God. Along with all his family, he feared God and was devoted to Him. In addition to that, he "gave much alms to the people." As the NIV puts it, "He gave generously to those in need." And finally, he was a man of prayer.

Cornelius was a Gentile, but he feared the Lord God. Though he had not become a convert to Judaism (a Jewish proselyte), he was permitted to attend services at the synagogue. On the other hand, because he was still a Gentile and not circumcised, he was considered unclean by the Jews. Later, as we will read in chapter 13, Paul began his address in the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch with these words: "Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience." He was speaking to two groups – Jews and Gentiles who feared God. Both were present in the synagogue.

3. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6. He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

Here we have the description of the vision that came to Cornelius at the ninth hour, with is 3:00 p.m. This was a regular hour of prayer for the Jews, and apparently for Cornelius as well. An angel appeared to him, but it was in the form of a vision. But make no mistake, it was real enough that Cornelius was afraid. When he asked, "What is it, Lord?", the angel answered by telling Cornelius that the Lord was well aware of his prayers and alms, assuring him that they were a memorial before God. The only other place we find this word translated "memorial" is in Jesus’ statement about Mary, "Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her" (Mk. 14:9).

Then the angel gave specific instructions to Cornelius, telling him to send to Joppa for Simon Peter. As the Lord gave specific instructions to Ananias about how to find Saul, so now the angel gives the same kind of directions to Cornelius. Joppa was about 30 miles south of Caesarea. Notice the assurance that he gives this god-fearing man: "He (that is, Peter) will tell you what to do."
7. And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; 8. And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

May we truly be influenced by this simple attitude of obedience that we have seen again and again. As Ananias obeyed and went to Saul, so Cornelius takes the angel of the Lord at his word and immediately sends three men to find Peter in Joppa. These must have been trusted men, because we are told that he declared "all these things" to these messengers.

9. On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10. And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11. And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12. Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

The Lord is preparing Cornelius, but He is also preparing Peter for what is to come. In fact, He has already been working on Peter. His acceptance of the despised Samaritans into the Lord’s church was no small thing. Remember that when Peter and John left that city, they shared the gospel in Samaritan cities on their way back to Jerusalem. And now he was staying in the home of a tanner named Simon. The Jewish despised tanners because they handled the bodies of dead animals. A good Jew wouldn’t have anything to do with such a man. Yet Peter was staying in his house. Nevertheless, for what God was going to tell Peter to do, more preparation was needed.

Now the scene shifts from Caesarea and Corneilus to Joppa, where Peter was staying. On the day following Cornelius’ vision, when his messengers are approaching Joppa, Peter has a vision of his own. The fact that it is about noon (the sixth hour) tells us that these messengers didn’t waste any time. They would make the 30 mile trip in less than 24 hours. If they were on horseback, they probably left early the next morning. If they were on foot, they must have traveled part of the way the evening before.

The noon hour was not a well-established hour of prayer, but we do find that David (Ps. 55:17) and Daniel (Dan. 6:10) were accustomed to praying at this time of day. It must have been a bit difficult to keep his mind on prayer this day, because he was extremely hungry. While they (the host family or servants) were getting the food ready, Peter fell into a trance. Regardless of how we take the term "trance," the fact is that the Lord was blessing Peter with a revelation from heaven.

This vision came in the form of something that looked like a sheet coming down from heaven. In this "sheet" were animals (literally, "quardrupeds), creeping things, and birds. It is not easy to identify "the creeping things." While a number of translations seem to have no trouble in identifying them as reptiles, that is rather questionable. This term is used many times in the Old Testament. As early as Gen. 1:24 and 26, the land creatures are divided into cattle, creeping things, and beasts of the earth. While this might refer to reptiles, the reference to creeping things in Lev. 11 won’t allow for this designation, for there some of the creeping things are identified as locusts (Lev. 11:21-23). It would seem that "creeping things" is a rather broad designation, including reptiles, insects, and worms.

The key statement about the creatures in the sheet-like vessel is found in verse 12, "Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air." There were all kinds of living creatures before Peter, both clean and unclean. While some would maintain that there were only all kinds of clean animals set before Peter, the context will not bear that out. Peter’s objection would be that he had never eaten anything unclean.

Then a voice came to him, "Peter, rise, kill, and eat." We have already been told that Peter was hungry. So now the Lord tells him to kill something and eat it. Peter immediately objects. Why? "For I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean." "Common" basically means "defiled." Peter objected that he had never eaten any unclean creature. All his life, he had gone out of his way to make sure that he hadn’t eaten anything unclean, and now he hears the Lord telling him to do so. The voice replied, "Don’t call ‘defiled" what I have cleansed." This whole thing was repeated three times, and then the sheet-like vessel with the animals was received back into heaven.

Now let’s suppose the Lord said to me, "Ron, I want you to have a beer." I believe I would be thinking, "But Lord, I have never tasted a drop of alcohol in my life. How can I do that?" Although that would be a strong sentiment in me, it would be nothing compared to what Saul was facing, because it was God Himself who had directly commanded the Jews not to eat certain animals.

Let’s take a moment to refresh our memory concerning the dietary laws of the Jewish people. Let’s read from Lev. 11:2-4…
These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that shall ye eat. Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

In the following verses, the Lord continues to name certain animals they could not eat. Notice verse 10, "And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you." God made a clear division between the clean and unclean animals, and then He commanded His people not to eat any of these animals that were unclean.

So why did God divide animals into clean and unclean? Why did He not want His people to eat unclean animals? Sometimes people point to the issue of health. It is true that some animals are more prone to carry disease than other animals. In that day, epidemic diseases were a great threat, especially in light of the fact that the people of Israel lived in close proximity to one another. Remember that there over two million of them camping together in the desert. An epidemic could wipe them out. Was the Lord protecting them by telling them not to eat certain unclean animals, which might carry such diseases? There could be some truth in this idea that God was preserving them in this way. However, this was not the primary reason for the dietary laws. God could have protected them in other ways.

We find the primary reason for these dietary laws in the Word itself. Let’s read Lev. 20:25-26…
Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean. 26. And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.

God commanded them to make a distinction between clean and unclean animals to demonstrate that they were to be a separate people. This was a powerful object lesson. As they distinguished between clean and unclean animals, so God distinguished between His holy people and all other people. But it was more than a visible object lesson. It also had great practical value in maintaining their separateness from the Gentiles. Even in New Testament times, we find that sharing a meal was a symbol of fellowship together. In those times, eating together was the primary means of social interaction. When large groups would get together, they would have a feast. By commanding His people not to eat certain animals, the Lord provided a barrier against association with Gentiles. The Gentiles ate all kind of meat. Therefore, there was a great restriction on interaction between Jew and Gentile.

17. Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, 18. And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19. While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

It doesn’t take a genius to realize that the timing is no accident. While the vision was fresh in his mind, the three messengers from Cornelius showed up. Even while they were asking for him at the gate of the house, the Spirit was telling him of their arrival. Not only was the timing more than coincidence, but also the number three. The vision with the clean and unclean animals was given three times, and now three men show up seeking Peter. While the word "three" is not used by Luke in relating the sending of the messengers, any first grader can take the "two" and the "one" of verse 7 and come up with the sum of "three." The vision was given three times to make sure that Peter didn’t miss the connection between the vision and the arrival of the three men.

Before Peter ever lays eyes on the men, the Spirit tells him, "Arise therefore, go downstairs, and go with these men without hesitation, because I have sent them." Without spelling out all the details at this point, let’s just say that the Lord has prepared the way for what is about to happen.

21. Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? 22. And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. 23. Then called he them in, and lodged them.

Notice that the messengers from Cornelius know the situation, because Cornelius told them. They are able to relate it to Peter very accurately, right down to the fact that their master is waiting to hear words from Peter. Though it was not proper for a Jew to have Gentiles stay in his house, Peter invited them in for the night.

23b. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24. And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

Cornelius was a man of faith. Don’t get the idea that one of his servants had called him on the cell and alerted him when they would be arriving. Cornelius had no way of knowing when they would be back. As a matter of fact, how could he be sure that Peter would even come?

Remember that Jews didn’t associate with Gentiles. This godly man put his trust in the Lord, who had told him to send for Peter and that Peter would tell him what he needed to do. Like Abraham, all he had to go on was the Word of God, but that Word was enough.

25. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

There is some question about the meaning of the word translated "worship" in this context. It is a bit difficult to understand why Cornelius, a devout God-fearing man, would bow down to a mere man. However, remember that the apostle John bowed down to worship an angel (Rev. 22:8). No doubt, Cornelius was overwhelmed with gratitude both for Peter and for God sending him. At any rate, Peter quickly got Cornelius to his feet, emphasizing that he was as much a man as his host.

27. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 28. And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

Many had come together. Cornelius believed wholeheartedly that Peter was going to be able to tell him what he needed to do. We find out further information from Peter’s account in chapter 11, where we learn that the angel had actually spoken more specifically. Let’s read it in Acts 11:13-14, "And he showed 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." Cornelius was expecting to be told how to be saved. As he anticipated this good news for himself, he knew it would be good news for his family and friends. So he persuaded them to gather in anticipation.

While Peter does not relate the content of his own vision, he tells them the result of it. "You know that it is an unlawful thing for a Jew to associate with people from other nations, but God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean." Peter truly understood what the Lord was telling him. He now understood something of what God was doing. Peter understood that it was not only wrong for him to call animals clean when the Lord had cleansed them, but it was infinitely more inappropriate for him to call "any man common or unclean."

Before we go any farther, there is something with which we must deal. There are many today who teach that all the animals in the vessel were clean animals. Others acknowledge that the sheet included unclean animals, but they say that God didn’t really want Peter to eat the unclean animals. Why do they teach this? Because they are convinced that the Lord doesn’t want Christians to eat the animals that are designated "unclean" in the Old Testament. Since that is their belief, they must somehow get around the clear command given to Peter. These interpreters emphasize that this vision was to teach Peter that the Gentiles were not unclean, which is absolutely correct, but they deny that God wanted Peter or any other believer to eat unclean animals.

Surely the two go together. The original purpose for the designation of clean and unclean animals was for the distinction of the Jewish people. This is what kept them separate from the Gentiles, but it is no longer God’s design to separate Jew and Gentile. There is a new standard for holiness and separation, and it is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Surely this passage, as well as Mark 7:14-23 and I Tim. 4:3-4, help us to understand that the dietary laws of the old covenant have been fulfilled in Christ, as much as the animal sacrifices of the old covenant.
I stress this to some extent because there is quite a movement in our day to persuade Christians to go back to the dietary laws and the feasts of the old covenant. It is my understanding that one of the Christian television stations is really big on this, and we encounter it in other places. Let’s remember that Christ is our life. He is not a wall of partition, but He is our peace.

So after saying that the Lord had taught him not to call any man common or unclean, Peter asked again why he had called for him.

30. And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31. And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. 33. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

Cornelius retells the details of the vision again, but he did not answer Peter’s question at all. He simply tells him that the angel said Peter had something to tell them. Then Cornelius said, "Thank you so much for coming. Therefore, here we are, ready to hear the things that God has commanded you to speak. Say on, Peter."

Isn’t this beautiful! It has now been four days since Cornelius sent for Peter. Who knows how long they had been gathered in anticipation. I suspect they had been there for a while, because Cornelius definitely wanted to make sure they were all there when Peter arrived. He didn’t want to miss anything, and apparently he didn’t want any of his family and friends to miss anything either.

Peter is about to open his mouth, and he will indeed speak. Though Cornelius doesn’t answer his question about what to say, the Spirit of God does. Because Peter has come in obedience to the Lord, the Spirit fills his mouth with the words that Cornelius and those gathered with him need to hear.

34. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35. But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

We must pause right here for a moment. Peter said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons." Praise God that he now understood this truth. Peter couldn’t have said that a week before. The Jews did indeed think that God was a respecter of persons, that He was pretty much the God of the Jews. At least, if a person wanted to know God, he was required to become a Jew. That will be a burning issue in the early church. Because of the power of the vision back in Joppa, Peter understood. He could now see something of what God wanted to show him.

The words of verse 35 have led some to strange conclusions. Let’s read it again: "But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable with him." Some have taken this to mean that Cornelius and his companions were already saved, because they feared God and did works of righteousness, such as praying and giving alms. But remember, we must always read the context. If that were the case, then why would Peter have gone on to proclaim the crucifixion and resurrection of the Lord Jesus? We could look at several reasons, why it doesn’t meat that, but let’s talk about what it does mean.

Compare it with Acts 10:28, "And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean." We must call no one unclean, regardless of what nation, ethnic group, etc. he or she is from. But verse 35 says something different. Peter says that in every nation the person that fears God and does righteousness is acceptable with God. Note the contrast. In verse 28, we see that there is absolute no one who can be considered unclean. Every person is a candidate for the gospel of Christ. But here, we see that within that larger group of everyone there are some in every nation who fear God and do righteousness. Not everyone, but some.

So what is true of these in every nation that fear God and do righteousness? That are acceptable to God. That doesn’t mean that they are saved, redeemed, etc., but they are acceptable. Cornelius represents those in every nation who are seeking God in an extraordinary way. This was true of Cornelius. He was fasting and praying, demonstrating his fear of God. He was giving to the needy, demonstrating that he was doing righteousness. God accepts that kind of seeking. And for His part, God goes overboard to get the gospel to such people. Isn’t that what He did for Cornelius? He told Cornelius exactly what to do. And then he prepared a preacher to bring him the gospel. That took some doing, but God did it.

What an encouragement this should be for the seeker. Remember the promise, "You shall seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart" (Jer. 29:13). Here is a powerful example of that promise being fulfilled. God will do the same for anyone in any nation who seeks Him in that way.

It is also an encouragement for those of us who know Christ and seek to make Him known. There are people who are seeking. They may not be coming out of the woodwork, but they are there. Remember that Peter also was praying. As we pray and seek the Lord, will He not lead us to those who are seeking Him? Surely He will.

36. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37. That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40. Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; 41. Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Peter preached the same gospel to Cornelius that he preached to the Jews on the Day of Pentecost, although there are variations in the details. It was all about Jesus of Nazareth, who manifested God’s glory and power on the earth, who was crucified, and who rose again on the third day. Notice particularly the emphasis on the testimony of the apostles ("witness" in verse 39 and again in 41). They bore witness to all the things Jesus did while He walked on earth, and they bore witness to the truth that He rose from the dead. In accordance with the command of that risen Christ, the apostles preached to the people and testified that this Jesus is the One whom God appointed to be Judge of both the living and the dead.

Look at the very last words that Peter spoke: "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission [forgiveness] of sins" (vs. 43). While God appointed Jesus as Judge, that isn’t the end of the story. God sent Jesus that forgiveness might be found through Him. Jesus Himself had said, "…the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins" (Mk. 2:10). And to this, says Peter, all the prophets agree.

Let’s take a minute to look at verse 38, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." Isn’t this an interesting summary of the work of Jesus our Lord? He went about doing good. Who could argue with that? "AND healing all that were oppressed by the devil."

Does this verse have anything to say to us? Could that be a valid description of the ministry to which God has called us – going about doing good and healing all that are oppressed of the devil? Do you know anyone oppressed by the devil? The Greek word here translated "oppressed" literally means "to exercise harsh control over one, to use one’s power against nother" (Thayer). It is a compound made up of the words which mean "against" and "power." It is used only one other place in the New Testament, and that is in James 2:6, "But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?" The rich men treated the poor very harshly, dragging them before the judgment seats. They had no regard for them whatsoever. Here the harsh treatment comes from the devil himself.
I ask you again, "Do you know anyone who is being oppressed by the devil?" Just look around. Look at marriages and the home. The devil is having a heyday, oppressing husbands and wives. Look at all the people who are hooked on drugs, and I’m not speaking only of illegal drugs. Anti-depressants have become the cure-all of our day, but those who use them are oppressed. Just strike up a conversation with a neighbor and take time to really get to know him. You will find that oppression by the devil is rampant all around us. Surely the Jesus who went about healing all who were oppressed by the devil wants to do the say today through us. Isn’t this exactly what we have pictured in the book of Acts?
And what is the ultimate oppression by the devil? We’re not talking about demon possession, as serious as that may be. I’m talking about the person who is still a slave to the devil, the one who has not been redeemed by the Lord Jesus. When that redemption becomes a reality, are we not instruments in healing the one who was oppressed by the devil? This is a powerful reminder that we are in a fierce battle, which is raging about us all the time. Let me read you that passage we haven’t read in a while. II Cor. 4:3-12…
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9. Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12. So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

44. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost 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. Then answered Peter, 47. Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

We don’t know whether Peter was finished or not, but I get the idea that he may have more he was prepared to say. But it doesn’t matter. Peter said what needed to be said, and his audience responded. They didn’t wait for Peter to give them specific instructions. The Spirit Himself took the initiative and fell on all them who heard the word. And how did Peter and his companions, all Jewish Christians, know that the Holy Spirit had come upon Cornelius and the others? Because they heard them speak in tongues and magnify God.

You may ask, "But where does it say that they believed?" I remind you that the historical accounts of Acts are sometimes related in very brief fashion. All the details are not given. So can we assume that they believed? Yes, we can. I remind you of that passage in John 20:30-31…
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

What is the test of whether a person’s belief is genuine? Is it believe that leads to life? Remember that belief is not an end in itself. The gospel was given, that we might believe, and that believing we might have life thorugh his name. If there is no life, then it wasn’t genuine belief. In this case, the presence of the Holy Spirit is the demonstration that this life was present.

Notice also the attitude of Cornelius. Compare it to Saul. Saul was a proud defiant man on the way to Damascus. But by the time Ananias arrived to talk to him, Saul had been broken. He had experienced repentance. He was just waiting for more instruction. Whatever it was, he was ready to obey. That’s the way it was with Cornelius. When he and the others heard the good news, they were ready to believe and obey. Their willingness to assemble and wait for Peter was evidence that God had already been working in them.

Would you please notice that Peter was present again. I want to remind you of what Jesus said to Peter in Matt. 16:18-19, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." In Matthew 18, we see that some of these very words were also spoken to the entire group of apostles. As the representative of the apostles, Peter was given the keys of the kingdom.

I don’t know all that this means, but I do want to point something out about Peter in the book of Acts. Isn’t it interesting that Peter was present at Pentecost, when the Spirit was poured out, multitudes were saved and added to the church? Then the witness of the apostles was to be extended to Judaea and Samaria. While Philip preached the gospel in Samaria, it wasn’t until Peter came down that the Spirit was given, incorporating them into the body of Christ. But there is still one more step, and that is the spread of the gospel to the uttermost part of the earth, the nations, the Gentiles. Although the Ethiopian eunuch had been saved, he returned to Ethiopia. But now we have Cornelius, along with a number of people in his house, who are saved. And who is there when the Spirit comes upon them? Again, it is Peter. Do you think maybe this has something to do with the keys of the kingdom which Jesus gave to Peter? Surely it does. It may also help us to understand why the Spirit was withheld until Peter and John arrived in Samaria.

What we must understand is that all of these "firsts" were historic. After those first Samaritans received the Spirit and were added to Christ’s body, there is no more need for the presence of Peter or any of the apostles. And we will find the same thing to be true of Cornelius. We might refer to these "firsts" as the Jewish Pentecost, the Samaritan Pentecost, and the Gentile Pentecost. We are seeing the fulfillment of Acts 1:8.

Acts 9:1-31 Saul's Conversion -- 5/6/07 (The Lord's Church)

Sunday Morning, May 6, 2007

Acts 9 -- The Conversion of Saul

1. And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2. And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

Saul was introduced to us at the end of chapter 7, where we are told that the witnesses who were the first to stone Stephen laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul (7:58). We are given more information in the first part of chapter 8. Let’s review that in 8:1-4…
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 4. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Now we are given even more information about the zeal of this man who was consumed with his quest to destroy the church of Jesus Christ. Among those who were scattered abroad because of the persecution and went everywhere preaching the word, Philip was a prime example. In the same way, the prime example of the persecutors is Saul.

We must understand the extent of this persecution by Saul. The King James and most translations render verse 1 something like this: "Still breathing out threatenings and slaughter…" The only problem with that translation is that the Greek word translated "breathing out" means "to breathe in, to inhale." This is the only place it is used in the New Testament. Listen to the translation of the Amplified Bible: "Meanwhile Saul, still drawing his breath hard from threatening and murderous desire against the disciples of the Lord…" The idea seems to be that these threatenings and slaughter were the very life breath of Saul. As Jesus’ meat was to do the will of Him that sent Him and to finish His work (Jn. 4:34), Saul’s meat was to make havoc of the church, to destroy it by any and all means possible.

Not only did this persecution reach deep into the soul of this man so as to consume him, but it reached deep into the church and was a great grief for the believers, no doubt. Let me read you more of Saul’s own testimony, related later, after he had become a believer…
Acts 22:4… "And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women."
Acts 22:19-20… "And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: 20. And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him."
Acts 26:9-11… "I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 11. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities."
Gal 1:13-14… "For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14. And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers."

This trip to Damascus wasn’t his first such trip by any means, as he testified that he persecuted the Christians even to strange (that is, "foreign") cities.

Notice that he had authority from the high priest to the synagogues? The synagogues, of course, were the Jewish communities of worship and instruction, where the Jews gathered every sabbath day. Why did Saul specifically want to go to the synagogues? That was where the Jews gathered, but why did he expect to find Christians there?

First of all, remember that it was in the synagogue that Stephen was debating about Jesus. In 6:9 we read that there arose certain of the synagogue, disputing with Stephen. That was the most natural place for believers to find people ripe for the gospel, for the Jewish people were looking for the Messiah. And at this point in time, it was still not widely accepted that anyone other than Jews could have a relationship with God. Later, a converted Saul would do the very same thing, entering into the synagogues to share the good news of Jesus, the Messiah. But at this point, he was looking for Christians. It didn’t matter to him whether they were men or women. He did not discriminate, binding them and bringing them back to Jerusalem for trial.

3. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5. And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Saul was pursuing Christians, but unknown to Saul, he himself was being pursued by what one author called "the hound of heaven." That would be the Lord Jesus Himself. The Lord chose to catch up to Saul as he drew near Damascus. He struck him down with a blinding light. We learn from Saul’s later testimony (Acts 22:6; 26:13) that it was about midday when he was struck down by this heavenly light. Imagine that; it was brighter than the sun. And then He confronted Saul with these words: "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"

We read the words easily enough, as most of us have read them many, many times. Take time to think about Saul. This was one powerful man. As we will see, he was greatly feared. Though he was annoyed by the Christians, he had things under control. He knew what he wanted, and he knew how to get it. Now, all of a sudden, he was powerless. In a moment, he had been reduced to nothing. And worst of all, he had to deal with this voice that seemed to come out of heaven, saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"

Saul responded, "Who are you, Lord?" Over the years, there has been much ink spilled concerning the meaning of the word "Lord." It has been noted that the term could be used to mean, "Sir," and that is true. Some assert that this is the meaning here. "Sir, who are you?" While it is true that Saul wasn’t sure who was speaking to him, surely he recognized him as more than a "Sir." Whether he was aware of it or not, he was in the presence of God Himself. Surely he spoke with fear and trembling when he said, "Who are you, Lord?"

Then comes the heavenly response: "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." Now Saul knew exactly whom this was who had struck him down with the blinding light. It was Jesus, the one Saul hated and despised, the very one whose followers Saul was trying to destroy.

But wait a minute. Saul wasn’t persecuting Jesus; he was persecuting the followers of Jesus. Jesus hadn’t been on the earth for several years now. Remember, He was at the right hand of the Father, the right hand of power. How could Jesus say that Saul was persecuting Him? Surely we can’t miss t he implications of this statement. To persecute the church is to persecute Jesus. What is the church? Is it not the body of Christ? Is it not the family of God? Is it not the bride of Christ? It is impossible to beat the leg of a body and not be attacking the head as well. In the same way, it is impossible to persecute the followers of Christ and not persecute Christ Himself. Jesus is bound up with His people, as He testifies here in such a powerful way.

Now we come to the words, "It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." Some of you who are reading other translations will not have these words or the first part of verse 6. The NIV and NASV have no notation at all, and there seems to be some justification for their omission of these words. If you would like to discuss it, I would be happy to do so. At any rate, these words are included in Acts 26:14, where a converted Saul is testifying of this experience. "…Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." So whether the words should be here in chapter 9 or not, we know that the Lord Jesus did indeed speak these words to Saul.

But what do they mean? This picture is drawn from the oxen pulling some instrument such as a cart. The owner would attach a sharp goad not too far behind the feet of the ox. If the ox tried to kick and become unruly, he would kick against those sharp goads. If he wanted to continue kicking and rebelling against his master, he would have to endure much pain. Jesus is telling Saul that it isn’t easy for him to go on opposing and fighting against Him. This reveals that Saul was having to bury some pangs of conscience. While he was very convincing to the outward eye, demonstrating that he had no questions whatsoever about what he was doing, that wasn’t the whole truth. Down deep, there were nagging questions that were hard for Saul to keep pushing down.

What do you think bothered Saul? Don’t forget how we are first introduced to Saul, as the one who was consenting to Stephen’s death. Do you think Saul was able to forget about that? It wasn’t so much that Stephen was put to death, but it was how he died. How could Saul forget the peace he saw in Stephen, as he looked steadfastly into heaven? How could Saul possibly forget those words, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge?" How could he put out of his mind the calm with which Stephen said, "Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit"? Surely those were the pricks that were hard for him to kick against.

As with the closing words of verse 5, so it is with the opening words of verse 6. Most translations won’t have the question of Saul: "Lord, what do you want me to do?", but we do find those words in the later testimony of Acts 22:10, "And I said, What shall I do, Lord?" Saul was helpless before the Lord of the universe, the One to whom was given all authority in heaven and in earth (Matt. 28:18). Jesus answered very simply and directly, "Arise, and go into the city, and you will be told what to do."
7. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

If this was a frightening experience for Saul, it was no less frightening for the men who were traveling with him. They heard the voice, but they saw no one. Some of you have probably noticed in the past the apparent contradiction between this verse and the later testimony of Acts 22:9, "And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me." So Luke here records that they heard the voice, but later Saul (Paul) would say that they didn’t hear the voice. Is this a contradiction?
John MacArthur (MacArthur Study Bible, p. 1676) states: "This is no contradiction with 9:7. Since Jesus spoke only to Paul, only he understood the Lord’s words. His companions heard the sound, but could not make out the words." MacArthur points to John 12:29, as a parallel situation. Let’s read John 12:28-29, "Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. 29. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him." They heard the voice, but they didn’t understand the words.

Some have supported this interpretation by the technicalities of the Greek language. There are actually four references to this incident in Acts. Before I read each one, let me explain the grammar. In the Greek language, nouns have different forms, which indicate cases. To put it simply, I could say, "I heard a voice." Many maintain that by using one form of the word "voice," I would mean that I heard the voice, but had no understanding (genitive case). By using another form of the word "voice," I would be saying that I had heard the voice and had understanding of the voice (accusative case). With that in mind, listen to the four instances and the particular case that is used…
Acts 9:7… "And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing [gen] a voice, but seeing no man."
Acts 22:9… "And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not [acc]the voice of him that spake to me."
Acts 22:14… "And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear [acc] the voice of his mouth."
Acts 26:14… "And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard [acc]a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks."

8. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

Isn’t this some picture! The mighty Saul being led by the hand into Damascus. The zealous persecutor has been reduced to nothing. Is. 2:17, "And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day." Saul got a glimpse of that day. Ultimately, man’s pride will not stand against Almighty God, but "every knee shall bow…and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:10-11).

10. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12. And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

And now enters an unknown disciple of the Lord. Saul is the chief persecutor, but the one the Lord chose to speak to him is simply "a certain disciple." God didn’t send Peter, or John, and James, but this common Christian named Ananias. This man appears outside of this passage only one time, and that one time is when the converted Saul later speaks of him, as he gives his testimony. However, that reference actually tells us more about Ananias than we find in this passage. Acts 22:12, "And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there."

The Lord’s instructions to Ananias are perfectly clear. The Lord even gives him the street and the name of the man who owns the house. But, no doubt, what caught the attention of Ananias was that name "Saul of Tarsus."

Now we must understand that the Lord had also prepared Saul for the coming of Ananias. Notice again the words of the Lord to Ananias in verse 12, "And [Saul] hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive is sight." This preparation made for a definite confirmation of the Lord’s work, when Ananias would later come and then lay his hands on Saul.
13. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14. And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

Just as we suspected, Ananias does indeed know the name of Saul of Tarsus. As a matter of fact, he knows a great deal about the chief persecutor of the church. He has heard about how he has treated the saints in Jerusalem. More than that, he knows about Saul’s coming to Damascus to round up Christians. It is doubtful Saul intended that to be public knowledge, but the believers of Damascus obviously knew.

By the way, this is only the second occurrence of the word "saints" in the New Testament. The first is in Matt. 27:52, "And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose." While the "saints" spoken of there most likely refers to the God-believing men and women of the old covenatn, the term here refers to the believers in Jerusalem. Throughout the New Testament, we find this word "saints," which means "set apart ones," speaking of Christians, all Christians. [Used 62 times in the New Testament, and two thirds of the usages are by this same man Saul].

15. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16. For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

At this point Ananias knows far more about Saul’s future than Saul himself. Notice what the Lord reveals about his future. First of all, he is a chosen vessel unto the Lord Jesus Christ. Isn’t that amazing! The Lord’s worst enemy is suddenly His chosen vessel. We have read about the great miracles performed by Peter and John, and then by Philip, but none of them can match this miracle. Praise God for all the miracles He does, but there is no miracle greater than the change of the inner man, the conversion of one who is a rebel against God.

As a chosen vessel (instrument), what would Saul be doing? The Lord says that he will bear His name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. As you read the book of Acts, watch for the fulfillment of these words. You will surely find it.

Last of all, the Lord says that He will show Saul what great things he must suffer on behalf of His name. The one who had been inflicting such great suffering will now be on the receiving end. The persecutor is about to become the persecuted. Later on, writing from prison, Paul would express his great desire to "know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable to his death" (Phil. 3:10).

It is true that Saul would suffer great things for Christ, but we must understand that every believer has been called to suffer for Jesus. I repeat, every believer has been called to suffer for Jesus. If you don’t believe it, just read the Word of God. Don’t look at your own experience or the experience of others, but look at the truth of the Word. Our experience can deceive us, but God cannot lie. Listen to God’s Word…
Mat 5:10-12… "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you"
Acts 14:21-22… "And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 22. Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."
Rom 8:16-18… "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us"
2 Tim 3:12… "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."

17. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

There is no argument from Ananias. He received the Lord’s instructions and proceeded to carry them out. He feared God more than he feared any man, including Saul. He trusted what God said, not what his inner feelings told him. And when he had found Saul, he put his hands on him and addressed him as "Brother Saul." That is no small thing. I suppose that address may be open to interpretation, and some might take it to mean Ananias was speaking to him as a fellow-Jew, but I understand it to mean he was receiving Saul as a brother in Christ. The account here is given in a very condensed version. What we must understand is that a great breaking had occurred in Saul’s life. He was not the same man. The Lord had put His life within Saul; he had been born again.

While it is not recorded here that Ananias relayed to Saul the words he had heard from Jesus, it is assumed. In the testimony of Acts 22, it is spelled out more clearly. We won’t do it this morning, but you can piece together more of the details by comparing what we have here in chapter 9 with Saul’s personal account in chapters 22 and 26.

The immediate need of Saul right now was to have his eyesight restored. Ananias told him that he had also been sent in order that Saul might be filled with the Spirit. When Ananias had spoken these words (more than what is recorded here), Saul was able to see again. Then he arose and was baptized.

People will debate whether the filling of the Spirit spoken of by Ananias was the initial reception of the Spirit or a subsequent filling for service. That doesn’t seem vitally important. What we know is that Saul received life through the Spirit and it was the Spirit who equipped him to carry out the commission given him by the Master.

Praise God for Ananias! God didn’t send one of the 12 apostles to deal with Saul; he sent Ananias. While this may seem to have little importance, it became very important to Saul (Paul), for later in writing to the Galatians he would go to great lengths to show that his commission from the Lord was totally independent of the 12 apostles.

19. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22. But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

Isn’t that beautiful? Saul was "with the disciples which were at Damascus." Who but our God could have brought that about? When he would later write to the Galatians, Saul (Paul) would say of the churches in Judaea, "But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed" (Gal. 1:23). And that is exactly what Saul did in Damascus. He went into the synagogues and proclaimed that Jesus was the Christ and the Son of God. The synagogue was his original destination, but now he is the one doing the very thing he hoped to catch the Christians doing. And the people in the synagogues were indeed amazed. These Jews were also aware that Saul was coming to arrest Christians. They had trouble believing what had happened. As for Saul, his preaching was very effective, as he was able to demonstrate (no doubt, from the scriptures) that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah.

23. And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24. But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. 26. And when Saul was come to Jerusalem…

Notice that it was after "many days" that the Jews took counsel to kill Saul. Luke gives us no way of knowing how long that period of time was. However, Paul’s own testimony is very helpful, especially what he writes in Gal. 1:15-18…
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16. To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17. Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

So here is the order of events…
… Conversion in Damscus
… Time in Arabia
… Back to Damascus
… Jewish plot to kill Saul; escape over the wall
… To Jerusalem to visit with Peter
The three years of Gal. 1:18 most likely includes all the time from Saul’s conversion to his visit in Jerusalem. Most of that time would have spent in Arabia. Paul gives us further information in 2 Cor 11:32-33, "In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: 33. And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands." Aretas was the king of an Arabian tribe called the Nabateans. At that time, the Nabateans were in control of Damascus. In Acts 9, we read that it was the Jews who plotted to kill Saul. Apparently the Jews stirred up the secular authorities under Aretas against Saul. Later during Saul’s (Paul’s) missionary journeys, we will find the Jews continuing to do this very thing.

Isn’t it interesting that Saul is lowered down over the way in a basket, in order that he might escape with his life. When Philip was on the road to Gaza, the Spirit caught him away to another place. Surely the Lord could have done the same with Saul, but that is not the way He chose to do it. Perhaps part of the reason is that He was working to bless Saul with a humble heart. The man who came confidently to Damascus, breathing out fire against the followers of Jesus, is now helplessly cramped in a basket, at the mercy of those he had vowed to destroy. What a mighty God we serve!

26. And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 27. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

Having escaped Damascus, where would Saul go? To Jerusalem. But why Jerusalem? Probably because he knew he would find believers there. In light of the Lord’s call to him and what we read in Galatians 1, he seemed eager to see Peter, who was the leader of the apostles. But there was a problem. When he tried to join himself to the disciples in Jerusalem, they didn’t want to have anything to do with him. They were afraid of him. They remembered well how he had persecuted the disciples in Jerusalem. The truth is that they did not believe he was now a disciple of Jesus.

Notice the first two words of verse 27, "But Barnabas…" There was one man who was willing to risk his neck for Saul, and it was Barnabas, whose name means "Son of Encouragment." What an encouragement he must have been to Saul. Barnabas carefully explained to them how the Lord had spoken to Saul and how Saul had then freely preached Jesus at Damascus. We might ask how Barnabas knew all this. I suspect he learned it by sitting down and visiting with Saul. As a result of Barnabas’ conciliatory work, we read that Saul "was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem." That is a way of saying that he had good fellowship with the Jerusalem disciples.

29. And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. 30. Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

Later we will read the words that he wrote to the Corinthians, "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" (I Cor. 9:16). We see that same attitude here; Saul was eager to share the Lord Jesus with others. On this occasion, he was debating with the Grecians. As we saw in chapter 6, these were the Hellenistic Jews, those Jews who generally spoke Greek and had adopted much of the Greek culture. These were the very people with whom Stephen had debated, and who opposed him to the death (see Acts 6:9).

So now there is a second plot to kill Paul. The first took place earlier in Damascus, and now the Grecian Jews of Jerusalem want him dead. But when some of the Christian brothers became aware of the plot, they escorted Paul down to Caesarea. [Just a quick word about the term "down," often used geographically, as here and in 8:5, where Philip went down to Samaria. How could Philip go "down" to Samaria, when Samaria was north of his starting point in Jerusalem? "Down" had to do with elevation, not direction. Whenever people went somewhere from Jerusalem, they always went down, because the city was set on a hill]. From Caesarea, they sent Saul on to Tarsus, which was home to him.

31. Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Here we have another of those summary statements. All the churches of Israel (Palestine) had rest. That included the churches of Judaea, Galilee, and Samaria. Why did they have rest? Primarily because of what God had done in the life of Saul. No doubt, there were others to pick up the task of persecuting the Christians, but who could take the place of Saul? Not only did they have rest, but they were edified. That is, the churches were built up. This isn’t talking about numbers; this is speaking of their spiritual development and equipping. "Edify" simply means "to build up." How can we read this without referring to Eph. 4:11-16… (NKJV)
11. And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12. for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13. till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14. that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15. but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16. from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Not only were the churches built up in spirit, but we also read that they were multiplied. As was the case in the earlier chapters, the Lord continued to add to the church. This growth came in the midst of a holy, God-given attitude that was evident among God’s people. They lived out their daily lives in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. That word "comfort" is the one we have encountered before. It comes from that word that literally means "to call alongside." They lived in the comfort of the Comforter. When Jesus taught His apostles about the coming of the Holy Spirit, He called Him the Comforter, the One called alongside.

Notice how these two attitudes are coupled together – the fear of the Lord and the exhortation (calling alongside) of the Spirit. It is the work of the Spirit that grows us in the fear of the Lord. We read in Ps. 34:11, "Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD." Those of the words of David, but they are fitting to be spoken by the Holy Spirit, because He does indeed teach us the fear of the Lord. As we are led by the Spirit, we are given grace to view all things in light of what the Lord will think, rather than what man will think.
Conclusion
This story is a powerful reminder of who it is we serve! To the outward eye, it must have appeared the church of Jesus Christ didn’t have a chance against its enemies, led by Saul of Tarsus. This man had all the authority and power of the Jewish nation at his command. Add to that the fact that no one was his equal when it came to zeal. As the believers of chapter 4 applied Psalm 2 to the authorities of their day, we might do the same with mighty Saul. Let’s read it from Ps. 2:1-4…
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2. The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 3. Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 4. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

What Pharaoh was to God’s people in Egypt, Saul was to God’s people in his day. And as God glorified Himself through Pharaoh, so He glorified Himself through Saul. But what we see here is even more glorious than what we see in the case of Pharaoh. God delivered His people out of Pharaoh’s hand, but as far as we know, Pharaoh went to his grave opposing God. Here we find God delivering His people from the hand of Saul that He might give them back to the care of a converted Saul, whom we know as Paul. Pharaoh was lost, but Saul became a chosen vessel of the Lord, even that apostle born out of due time. What a mighty God we serve!

Do you know of anyone who is beyond God’s reach? Do you know anyone who opposed Jesus Christ more bitterly than Saul of Tarsus? Put yourself in the Jerusalem of his day. Someone says to you, "I am praying for Saul of Tarusus." "Why would you pray for him? He is determined to destroy us." "I am praying that God will be merciful to him and save him." How would you respond? In your heart, would you believe that there was any hope for Saul?

What about the man who has been on heroine for years? What about the husband who beats his wife regularly? What about the man who murdered the students at Virginia Tech? What about the leaders of the insurgents in Iraq? What about the pedophiles in our society? Can you hear the voice of the Lord saying, "Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save…" (Is. 59:1).

What about you? Many of us have gone through what we call the Stranger Study, examining the biblical story through the book Stranger on the Road to Emmaus, by John Cross. In explaining Jesus’ words to Saul on the Damascus Road, he paraphrases them like this: "Saul, why are you my enemy, when you could be my friend?" (p. 276). I put that question to you who have not yet yielded your life to the Lord Jesus Christ: "Why do you insist on being His enemy, when you could be His friend?"

The chief persecutor of the church is indeed the man we know as the Apostle Paul. Paul engaged in three extensive missionary journeys, starting churches in city after city. He has written over one fourth of our New Testament. If we didn’t have the letter of Paul, our New Testament would be stripped of its heart.

But we are not praising Paul; we are praising the God who can take a Saul and turn him into a Paul. No man is capable of doing that, but our Lord does it again and again. He is due all the praise that we can give Him. This week I challenge you to take some time to think through what God has done in you. Where would you be, had He not turned your life around?