Acts 11-Part 2: What Is A Child Unbecoming Of A Pantheon Of Gods?

Our previous study, of Acts 11:1-10, discovered the childish and spiritually immature heart of the "spiritually" newborn Jews in Christ and their objections to the New Covenant. They needed, however, only to be educated in the liberty to which Christ has set them free, in the fulfillment of the Law of Moses, embodied in Christ, which pointed to the original law and nature of Love, in the image of God, walking together with Him, in the garden before sin entered the heart of man. It is to this regeneration and nature of the soul, for which Christ has come, to restore the heart and mind of man in His image. This new nature (which is really the original one) restores man's fellowship and walk with God. This pattern of Love is not according to the external means of the fleshly nature and pride of man, made from the dust, but according to the motivations and attitudes of his fellowship toward God. This pattern is clearly set forth by the New Covenant that was instituted for the church at the receiving of the Holy Spirit during Pentecost; and has now come to us, in this context, to the Gentiles. But, as we have seen and heard, the Jews became suspicious of the sincerity of these Gentile converts and seek to make them submit to the same standard of their local assembly. Therefore, the institution of His blood, offered by His mystical body (the church), will be a curse to those who do not rightly discern the Lord's will and offering for sin. In other words, to falsely discern what God has cleansed, and then partake of the witness of the Spirit, through the "memorial" of the "free-offering" of the Lord's blood, will result in judgment upon those who cannot judge themselves righteously, in the imputation to His membership and relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, to divide the holy catholic (universal) church over national covenants and customs (i.e. Roman law vs. Hebrew law) is to partake of the Lord's grace in an unworthy manner, not discerning the Lord's body (1Cor.11:29). This study, we shall continue to examine Peter's exposition of this outpouring of the Spirit (for the Gentiles) to the local assemblies of Judea. Not only was Peter recollecting the facts of the recent events, but was responsible to explain the Lord's will concerning those facts, which now apply to all the churches of the brethren, even the Gentiles, which facts show who are now born of God, not unto a nation of laws but unto a conscience toward Yahweh. vs.11 Then, lo and behold, suddenly, three men stood before the house in which I stayed, having been sent from Caesarea to me; . . . (MAST) Peter retells the Jerusalem saints how he came into the presence of Cornelius. I'm not going to go into all the details again how this took place; other than to emphasize that these men were "sent" specifically for Peter. The significance of this, then, is to show the Hebrew converts the necessity of submitting to the Roman authorities that Yahweh has placed over them. This submission, as we already know, is not of one to the exclusion of God, but one of brotherly respect. It was God who gave the Hebrew "nation" over to the Roman Empire; and therefore Israel was under their "national, though foreign, authority." Therefore Peter demonstrates the example of obedience to their "common" law; and so having been "sent" (that is with the seal of authority) from Caesarea Peter did not deny these men access to the hospitality of the house.

vs.12 . . . telling me then, by the Spirit, to go with them, questioning no one. Then arriving with me were the six brethren, and these entered with me into the man's house. Again, these men were "honored" as men, even "as men of" the Roman Empire, but it was their faith that Peter was going to honor. If asked to bow the knee and praise a man, as though he had the power to forgive sins and provide liberty and justice "for all" (Acts 12:1-2), Peter would not have honored such faith (Acts 12:20-24), even if he had to suffer dearly for it with his life (Acts 12:6). The faith of most Roman soldiers was based on a merit system (rank if you will), and therefore pride was the motivating factor of their service; not genuine love to serve (all) people.

Cornelius was not a man of such faith. For brief review, as we studied earlier, Cornelius gave alms back to the poor of Caesarea, even as Herod did in Acts 12:20. While he was under the authority of Caesar to tax the region(s), what was left over, after giving Rome its cut, and feeding and housing the soldiers who protected the city and region(s) of their assignment, Cornelius, a man of true honor, gave what was not used back to the people he plundered, specifically the poor. He was not a greedy man and had compassion on those of whom Rome was a heavy oppressor. Cornelius was not a ignorant man, nor was he a stupid man, who did not understand or turn his ears away from the fear of the Lord. vs.13 Now explaining further to us, how he had seen an angel in the house of his establishment, who said to him, 'Send men into Joppa, and subpoena Simon whose honorary name is Peter, . . . Here, we begin to see again how this common, though devout, man, Cornelius, is going to be honored--not by Peter--but by the LORD for his prayers concerning salvation. Again, this man feared the Lord; and Peter is called to submit to him to deliver the "only" message that can save him from his sins. And it will not be through a system of meritorious faith, as it functioned in the Roman military. The "gift" of the Holy Spirit is not a badge of merit or honor that is earned or deserved. Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit is like a badge that seals a believer for salvation. Cornelius is going to be honored by the Lord, not because of his merit in alms giving, but because of the heart out of which he gave it, which was the fear of the LORD. The gift of the Holy Spirit uses such fear to satisfy righteousness and glorify holiness. And therefore Cornelius was calling upon the one true Lord who could give him the peace with God that he desperately needed.

vs.14 . . . who will speak for you words by which you and all your household will be saved.' Here we find the purpose of Peter's submission to the Roman arrest. The words of eternal life rest in Peter's submission to the Roman knock at the door. The salvation of the household of Cornelius depended upon Peter's affirmation of the faith which Cornelius possessed. The words that Peter was called to speak were not really new words, but a clarification of words that Cornelius had been already witnessing, as we studied before. Nevertheless, the work and mission of the Holy Spirit is to confirm such faith and equip them to fulfill this duty of love in the earth. And Cornelius is now the new instrument and voluntary vessel that the Holy Spirit will use to accomplish this duty of love to the nations. vs.15 And with the heavenly authority, my preaching pressed the Holy Spirit upon them; even as upon us from the foundation. We come to understand quickly that this wasn't personal favoritism between two high profile and popular Roman appointed officials. It was a divine love for this particular soldier who searched with his whole heart to know the heritage of Israel and her God Yahweh in order to serve them; and to know the assurance of the saints for whom Christ took on humanity to suffer as a man for their sins, news of which was widely being reported throughout the region(s) that he protected. So, as he was learning the Hebrew heritage, the promises of that covenant were being fulfilled before his very eyes; therefore he wanted in on the saving benefits from what his conscience was testifying of in the fear of the LORD (Ps.103:17-22). vs.16 So I remembered the word of the Lord, when He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' Now, Peter, who is recollecting his thoughts before the Jerusalem saints, defends his own motivation for baptizing Cornelius with the sign of the new covenant is Christ's blood. Peter mentions the water but it was the faith of this man--Cornelius--that motivated him to accept him among the baptized body, because he was of such faith as their own (Mk.10:13-16). The God of Israel had kindled a fire inside of this man's conscience center (the heart) to devour away all human pride and self-exaltation, much like the Moses' burning bush experience, but needed the assurance of a greater testimony than his own heart (1Jn.3:20;5:9); and so God gave the church the testimony of Christ crucified to baptize men (cleanse their defiled conscience) into the heavenly citizenship and fellowship of Christ's blood. So it was the greater sign of heavenly fellowship (the baptism of the Holy Spirit and of fire) that led him to offer the lesser sign of earthly assurance to include him among the universal body of saints.

vs.17 If therefore the same gift was given to them by God, even as when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to resist the power of God?" Again, continuing to defend his position, Peter defines the heavenly witness by using the previous experience that they all had together at Pentecost. By reminding them of the "unity of mind" that had overpowered them at Pentecost should open their mind (once again) to understand how it was of God's sovereign design that were able to speak as "one mind" for the glory of the LORD though speaking in "distinct" languages. In this, Peter reminds the Jerusalem saints about the purpose of the "tongues" that was issued as a gift to the church. This gift was given so that "all peoples" should come to know the mind and will of God. This gift wasn't given for the glory of Israel, but was given for the glory of the LORD, who is LORD over all nations. So, Peter is saying, "Shall I, a meager Jew, resist the power of God unto to salvation for all who believe?" Romans 1:16 (NKJV) 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Peter recognizes that the meager Jerusalem saints need the prayers and support of this man if they are going survive against the ungodly oppressors of the Roman pagans. This man, though Roman, will also have his own struggles with Rome for identifying with "the Baptism," which meant independence from the Roman meritorious gods that believed success was advancing through the ranks of authority to become a self-sufficient god. Sure, these so-called pagan deities believed in an appearance of godliness--like hard work, honor and respect (not for all people but for all faiths) i.e. the pantheon, but these things do not produce the fruit of eternal life which every man needs; and so "people" like the Christians were treated like slave dogs for the glory of the Roman Empire (2Tim.3:5). So if you did not accept their pantheon you were a traitor and an abomination to the Roman cause of justice. For Cornelius, this, was going to be a tremendous hurdle and test of genuine faith. Baptism, then, meant that you publicly profess Christ as the "one" LORD over all lords and stick your neck out to be cursed by the gods for the sake of "the Baptism," yes, the very brethren of God (Mk.9:41). They will know we are Christians by the sign of our Love not by saving the dignity and pride of man.

vs.18 Upon understanding these things, they were silenced, but afterwards gloried in God, saying, "Therefore, to the Gentiles was granted the repentance leading to life." (MAST) It is upon this "understanding" that the Jerusalem saints were silenced, and afterward glorified the "only" God of their common salvation, who is not only sovereign over their souls but even of the Gentile peoples. But they wanted to recognize first the "repentance" that makes one's faith genuine. It was submission to the "Baptism," which was a confession of particular facts that one must consciously submit to in-order-to be included among those who possess the gift of eternal life (Jude 3). This isn't a test of possessing all the knowledge of God (for you would need to be God), but a test of possessing those "essential things" that leads to all the knowledge of God that gives "assurance" unto eternal life. Hebrews 6:1–8 (NKJV) 1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rLyfk6UkQw