May 23, 2010
Morning Service

Acts 11:1-18

 

Review:

1.       In chapter 7 we saw the first martyr of the church, Stephen.

2.      In chapter 8 we saw, upon the persecution of the church, Philip going down into Samaria, and preaching a great revival. 

• We also saw Simon the sorcerer converted.

• The Apostles laying their hands on the newly baptized to receive the Holy Ghost.

• The Ethiopian Eunuch believe Philip, and was baptized.

3.      In chapter 9 we saw the dramatic conversion of Saul of Tarsus.  One who had been persecuting the church. 

We saw him begin to preach, and proclaim that this very Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

• Saul is shipped away to Tarsus, and Peter comes back on the scene.
• We see God working miracles through Peter, Aeneas is healed from paralysis, Dorcas is raised from the dead. 

4.      In chapter 10 we see Peter open the doors to Heaven to the Gentile nation, through the household of Cornelius.

• Upon seeing them receive the Holy Ghost as the Jews did, Peter commanded them to be baptized.

 

This brings us to chapter 11, let’s begin:

 

Act 11:1-18 ASV  Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles also had 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. 

• From the beginning of their return from Egypt God had instructed Moses to tell the children of Israel not to associate with the people of other lands.  He wanted them pure, and undefiled with the actions, and false gods of other people.
• The Jews had not merely the Mosaic regulations about clean and unclean food, but also the fact that at a Gentile table some of the meat may have been an idol sacrifice.
• Peter made the comment in chapter 10 that God was no respecter of persons, and that in every nation he that feareth God, does good works, is accepted by Him.
• Or what Jesus said concerning helping someone with a fault or problem;  Mat 7:1-5 MKJV  Judge not, that you may not be judged.  (2)  For with whatever judgment you judge, you shall be judged; and with whatever measure you measure out, it shall be measured to you again.  (3)  And why do you look on the splinter that is in your brother's eye, but do not consider the beam that is in your own eye?  (4)  Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull the splinter out of your eye; and, behold, a beam is in your own eye?  (5)  Hypocrite! First cast the beam out of your own eye, and then you shall see clearly to cast the splinter out of your brother's eye.   
• It always comes to my mind when we begin to think that we are worthy of salvation, or look at someone with contempt concerning their past, I think of what Paul told the Corinthians;  1Co 6:9-11 KJVR  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,  (10)  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  (11)  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
• You see, by obeying the gospel, this makes us all on the same ground, there is neither Jew, nor Greek, free, or bond, we are all the same in Christ Jesus.

Here again we stress the importance of a well thought out testimony.  That is, don’t begin talking until you know that what you are going to testify about is not going to hurt someone else, and that it is the truth.      Notice how Peter shares:

(4)  But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying,  (5)  I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me:  (6)  upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven.  (7)  And I heard also a voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.  (8)  But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth. 

(9)  But a voice answered the second time out of heaven, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.  (10)  And this was done thrice: and all were drawn up again into heaven.  (11)  And behold, forthwith three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent from Caesarea unto me.  (12)  And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man's house: 

• Here is the man with the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven explaining why he went into the house of Cornelius, the gentile.  The Jews, and Apostles at Jerusalem have great respect for what Peter will say.
• And the Spirit bade me go, making no distinction. 
• You see we are entering into a whole new dispensation.  “WHOSOEVER WILL LET THEM CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD, AND THEY SHALL BE SAVED.”
• Do you think you have sinned away the grace of God, let me assure you, you haven’t.  Jesus said, “all manner of sin, and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men, except the blasphemy of the Holy Ghost.”  Satan may have you wrapped up in some type of sin, and you think that it is too late for you.  It is not, you are just at the beginning of the grace of God.  He has forgiveness, and a whole new life for you.

(13)  and he (meaning Cornelius) told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter;  (14)  who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.  (15)  And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. 

• Remember Cornelius was a just man who prayed often, feared God, and did many good works.  No better place to open the kingdom to the Gentiles.
• You see, in the eyes of the Jews these people were unclean, and not to be associated with, but God is showing them what His will is for mankind.  A WHOLE NEW DISPENSATION.  THE CHURCH AGE.
• Notice;  and as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.  So these Gentiles began to praise God in their native tongues, which would have been foreign to these Jews, just as it was on the day of Pentecost.

(16)  And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit.  (17)  If then God gave unto them the like gift as he did also unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God? 

• Baptized means to be immersed, these men and women were immersed in the love, and Spirit of God.  Hearing that they also could receive remission of sins, and have a life with God.  GOD NO LONGER IS JUST THE GOD OF THE JEWS, BUT OF THE GENTILES ALSO.  WHOSEVER WILL!!!

(18)  And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life.

• NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE ATTITUDE OF THESE CHRISTIANS, THAN OF THE JEWS.
• They rejoice over this outcome.  If it was the Jews of the synagogue they would be outraged at hearing this.  We will see this later as the Apostle Paul testifies to them over what God is doing in his life.
• They held their peace, and glorified God.

 

SINCE GOD HAS PROVIDED FOR US, HAVE YOU ACCEPTED HIS WONDERFUL PLAN OF SALVATION THIS MORNING?   HAVE YOU ACCEPTED HIS OFFER OF REPENTANCE TO LIFE THROUGH THE GOSPEL MESSAGE? 

 

IF HE FORGAVE SAUL OF TARSUS, HE WILL FORGIVE YOU OF YOUR TRESSPASSES, WON’T YOU COME THIS MORNING AND RECEIVE THIS WONDERFUL GIFT OF GRACE, AND START A NEW LIFE WITH CHRIST, WHILE WE STAND AND SING A SONG OF ENCOURAGEMENT.