Bible Study on Acts 11, verses 1 to 18, what was I, that I could withstand God

 

Acts 11:1 ¶  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, 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. 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 shewed 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. 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 news would have been a shock. The hated and despised Gentiles, regarded as spiritual inferiors, especially Roman occupiers, could receive the word of God? Peter thought over what had happened a few times (rehearsed the matter) to be able to tell them at Jerusalem, the Jewish leaders, of this new faith. He recalled something they would have remembered, how John the Baptist foretold about this baptism, not with water but being filled with the Holy Ghost recorded in Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; & Luke 3:16. He reinforces the validity of what He did with the Gentiles by pointing out that God did this so how could he have resisted or stood against what God had done. This reminds me of what Gamaliel said;

 

Acts 5:38  And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39  But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

 

When God’s hand is involved it is useless to try to stand against His work. They were smart enough and filled with the Spirit of God so they accepted this work of Peter. So, the Gentiles could be saved, too, like the Jews. Interesting. Shocking, but interesting. Here the Christian church, once thought to be a mere sect of Judaism, takes a momentous turn in history.