Acts 11:18 (ESV Strong's)
When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
Subject: The Power of God's Word to stop the critics.
In chapter eleven we have the story of the Jewish Christian's response to Peter going to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile. Jews were not to eat with Gentiles. Peter was sent their by God but the Jews didn't know that. Peter gives the account of what God had told him to do (God's Word was spoken to Peter audibly at this time). The authority of the criticism was the the Old Testament Law. The Jews were technically right in their complaint. However, it was New Testament revelation that would be the final authority. The key is that when they heard Peter's account of God's work in action they "feel silent." This is a great pattern for the church and for conflict within the church. When God's Word is spoken that should put to silence descent within the church. We ought to be a people governed by God's Word. After they fell silent they "glorified God." That, too, should be the end of issues within the church. God is to be glorified. That is the chief end of man. The last thing they did was open their minds to Gentiles being saved. Evangelism and change of mind is the outcome of being confronted by God's Word and His plan. They fell silent, glorified God and opened their hearts to others as a result of their hearing the revelation of God. Nothing should change in that pattern today!!
No comments:
Post a Comment