The church was a moment of transition, working according to the plan of God. It’s hard to believe they forgot such an important part of the gospel. It was to be spread from Jerusalem to the uttermost parts of the world. Jesus told the disciples this before he ascended. They forgot they were to reach out. Up to this point, the gospel had remained within the borders of the Jewish world. It caused disagreement when news came that Peter preached to a Gentile named Cornelius, and he and his family got saved. The Holy Spirit confirmed it. The first Day of Pentecost was for the Jews. This second outpouring came at a crucial moment. The gospel was reaching out through the saved of Israel. It had reached the threshold of the Gentile world. Thank God for this. Even as great as it is to us now, some of the Jews didn’t want it. They wanted Peter to explain it. Some with him asked him. He said “who am I to hinder the Lord?”
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.” (Acts 11:13-18)
Look at the end of verse 17. “What was I, that I could withstand God?” Peter learned the hard way about serving the Lord. Too bad this is one of our tendencies. If God works things out in a different manner than we predict, we must always remember that he’s on the throne and still in charge. He always has a purpose for it. When God works, the best thing I can do is get out of the way. Yet when it doesn’t go how we think it should, we withstand God—we question him. The best thing is to simply yield to him and not get in his way. Instead of trying to steer God, let’s pray for the will to let him steer us.
Peter had a dream. As a Jew, he grew up with strict dietary laws. Even as a saved Jewish man he wanted to continue with that diet. It was all he’d ever known. He was used to that taste in foods. In his dream a sheet came down with a variety of animals on it. He was told to eat animals that the Law forbid. He questioned the Lord. He told the Lord he’d never let anything unclean touch him, but he sure had forgotten about all the unclean that had come out of his lips. Peter tried to correct God, but God did it three times. Peter wanted to remind the Lord about the Law. God said that what he called clean is clean. “Understand it?” How many times do we try to clarify things for God? What’s happening here is so important to us. He was preparing Peter to be the person to take the gospel of the Jews from the borders of Israel to every race and culture; origin didn’t matter. He was to reach out to Cornelius for the reception of Jesus as Savior and having done this, there was an immediate result. It wasn’t speaking in tongues but Holy Ghost, born-again salvation. It was bringing him from death in trespasses and sins to a new life in Jesus. He was just as much part of the household of God as Peter, James, and John. Every time sins are forgiven and Jesus saves a person, Pentecost happens again. The Holy Spirit comes down to live in the person’s heart.
Peter didn’t understand it all. Even after the ascension of Christ and the decent of the Holy Spirit, some things carried on in their traditional manner. We do that sometimes; when we do, we get in God’s way. Peter knew enough to say “what was I to withstand God?” Cornelius got saved; the Holy Spirit came down. He had no choice but to baptize his new brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Do you find yourself getting in the way? I do. God has a purpose for all of us. We are loved. Jesus died on Calvary so we could have the ability and privilege to repent and receive eternal life. Regardless of how we think about God’s purpose in our life, he doesn’t need our approval for it. The best thing we can do is get out of the way. Let’s quit saying “your will be done my way.” Instead of being pouty-lipped, do it. Peter said “wait a minute. Lord, are you sure?” We need to trust the Lord and step aside. With God, the chips don’t fall where they may; they fall where God wants them. Peter came to grips with it. The Jews wanted to keep Jesus to themselves, but Peter said “what was I, that I could withstand God?”
When the Jews heard Peter’s explanation, they rejoiced that the Gentiles had received new life in Jesus. The rest of this chapter is exciting. We see the gospel spread more and more. Barnabas took the gospel to Antioch, the first church of the Gentiles. Believers were first called Christians there. The church was established because Barnabas didn’t get in God’s way.
Will you pray the same? God, help me not to get in your way.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 