seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Acts 11:1 The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
4 Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’
8 “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’
9 “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ 10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.
11 “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’
15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”
18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
I got this from the commentary.We entered the man’s house: This may have surprised Peter’s questioners, because it seemed like an admission of guilt — Peter admitted entering the home of a Gentile, something prohibited by Jewish custom and tradition (though not by the Law of Moses.). Yet Peter was careful to add that before he ever entered the man’s house, an angel had been standing in his house. If it was permitted for an angel of God to go into Cornelius’ house, it must be permitted for Peter also.
The Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning: This conclusion was important. It showed that God’s stamp of approval was on this work towards the Gentiles. Peter’s point to these Christian Jews (those of the circumcision, Acts 11:2) was clear: they could not withhold their acceptance when God had given His.
Peter said the timing and those involved made his visit legal.Peter told them an angel visited Cornelius. If an angel could visit Cornelius, then surely, it's ok for Peter to visit. So that alleviated that problem.
Check out verse 11, the men who came to fetch Peter for Cornelius, arrived just as the vision of the sheet and animals was finishing. When timing is impeccable it gets our attention.
It was "prohibited" for Jews to enter the homes of Gentiles. The Jews are "chosen". The Gentiles, although both Jew and Gentile all come from Noah's family, were not "chosen".
Peter explained to them God created all of the animals in Peter's vision. There were no "clean or unclean" animals. Sure, they had been given dietary {kosher] rules by Moses, but God said... "Drop that... everything I create is good".
God created Gentiles.... so, Gentiles are as good as Jews.
Gentiles who Believe are just as forgiven as Jews who Believe.
I had a friend named Michael back in the early 1970's. Michael was very gay... but Michael was also searching for Jesus. He Believed, but because he was also a gay man, he didn't have any guidance. The priest he went to was no help. The priest condemned him and made things worse.
We've all been denying the Homosexuals, the Native Americans, the Asian Americans, and even Jews. We don't let them into our churches. We make it easier for a thieving murdering adulterous abortionist to find Salvation, than a gay man or a Cherokee who never hurt anyone. After all, ... We are the "chosen" ones. Jesus came to save the good people who follow every rule. Jesus only came to save the people who never wasted their seed or used any kind of contraception. Jesus only came to save the "good" Gentiles and the "chosen" Jews.
Humans used to condemn people for their place of origin. Then humans condemned people for the color of their skin. Then humans condemned anyone who wasn't just like them. Humans condemn those who are conquered. Humans condemn those who conquer. Humans condemn other humans for their financial status. It's not just the gays humans would deny.
In the Beginning.... God created everyone and everything.... and then God cleaned it up.... and then God sent His Son... and still humans are trying to keep Jesus from accepting everyone.
God created us all.... there is no sex in Heaven. Jesus told us that.
God wants to make Salvation available to everyone.
Who are we to try to stop it?
