Acts 9:31-11:30 – Peter’s Ministry

Peter Heals the Paralytic and Tabitha

Verse 31 characterized the growing church as a time of peace.  It was strengthened and encouraged by the Holy Spirit.  It grew and lived in fear (wisdom) of the Lord. 

What would it take for the church today to look like the 1^st century church?

Is your church at peace and growing? 

Do you complain about trivial things and cause dissention and agreements in the church?

As Peter traveled and spread the good news and healed many.  He healed a paralytic who had been bedridden for 8 years.  A disciple named Tabitha was sick and died.  Peter prayed and she lived again.  Many believed as result of this miracle. 

Two miracles of physical healing tell us at least 2 things:

1.       Only through faith in Jesus can the apostles heal and only through faith in Jesus can we be healed (Mark10:52, Luke 7:50, 18:42).

2.      Just as Jesus can bring us comfort by physical healing here on earth, He can bring spiritual healing.  Without Him all are spiritually dead.

Cornelius the Gentile

Cornelius was a Greek and a good and religious man.  We’re told he was devout and God-fearing.  He was highly respected by the Jewish people.  He and his whole family worshiped God, but he didn’t know Jesus.  He was constantly praying and helping the poor.  One day he had a vision and an angel of God told him to send men to Joppa and bring back Peter.

Meanwhile, Peter was praying and had a vision.  Heaven opened and it looked like a large sheet coming down to earth filled with all kinds of animals.  A voice said, “Get up, Peter.  Kill and eat.”  Peter thought these were unclean since Old Testament law had strict rules - to not eat unclean animals and birds (Lev. 11, 17:10-14, 20:25) and to eat food with non-jews, but now God said nothing He made was impure or unclean.  This happened 3 times and Peter wondered what this meant.  Then men sent by Cornelius asked Peter to go back with them as Cornelius had asked.

In those days God often spoke to people through visions, because they didn’t have the complete written Word as we do today.  Today we have access to His written Word, the Bible.  However God sometimes does reveal His will to people by dreams or visions.

Jesus’ death changed the Old Testament law.  Peter now realized that God does not show favoritism and accepts men from every nation (Acts 10:35) - Jew or Gentile.  Does this mean that God accepts people from every nation in His family without belief in Christ?  No.  He is saying everyone is eligible.  (John 14:6) - Jesus said He is the only way. (Acts 4:12) – Salvation is found in no other.

How do you show prejudice?

Do you pass judgments on someone by how they look?

Peter went knowing he would be criticized for eating with Gentiles and not obeying the Jewish traditions.  He knew God was guiding him and that it was God’s will so he went without fear.

Peter arrived at Cornelius’ house where his friends and family were waiting.  They expected something exciting to happen and it did.  Peter’s shared the gospel with them.  He told of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and His forgiveness of sins for anyone who repents and believes.  He told them he and the other disciples were witnesses of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  While he was speaking, the Holy Spirit came down on them.  They were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles.  “For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.” - Acts 10:44.  This was like a confirmation of the Holy Spirit which was important in that day and time.  Also note, the Holy Spirit came prior to baptism confirming baptism does not save, but is an outward sign of the beginning of a new life.

Principle:  Salvation is not based on national identity or good works. 

How available are you to the Holy Spirit?

Do you understand why you find it hard to get alone to do Bible study? (The enemy, Satan doesn’t want you to.)

What do you need to change in your life to be available to Jesus Christ?

Peter Criticized

The well-meaning church criticized Peter for what he had done for the Gentiles, but Peter said who am I to go against the Lord (Acts 11:16-17).  Then there were no further objections.

 Antioch was the capitol of Syria.  It was a city of sin.  It was corrupt with pagan influences and desperately needed the cleansing power of Jesus.  There are 4 events in the early history of this important church at Antioch:

1.       They told the Greeks (Gentiles) about Jesus

2.      Barnabas and Saul taught great numbers of people.

3.      Disciples were called Christian for the first time.

4.      Prophets came to Antioch and prophesied

The Lord’s hand was on them because a great number of people turned to the Lord (Acts 11:21).  The news reached Jerusalem and the church sent Barnabas who had the biggest heart in the church.  He believed in Saul and wasn’t afraid when others were.  We all need a Barnabas in our lives.  He wouldn’t care what background we came from or if we shown up on Sunday at church wearing holey jeans.   He wouldn’t look at the external, but the internal.  The name Barnabas means son of encouragement.   

Do you have a Barnabas or are you a Barnabas?

Barnabas brought Saul to help teach in Antioch.  When they arrived in Antioch there was evidence of God’s grace (Acts 11:23-24).  Barnabas was full of the Holy Spirit and faith and great numbers of people were brought to the Lord.  More and More people were converted.

Principle:  People come to God only through faith in Jesus Christ.

The gospel was first preached to the Jews and then to the Gentiles as God’s grace to save all who repent and believe in Jesus Christ.  There are prejudices all around us, but the lesson here is we need to put away any prejudice and put on love for all people.  God shows no favoritism.  He loves and wants to save everyone.

Join me here next week for our next study in the book of Acts.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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