Aug 18
5
HOW DID PETER DEAL WITH CONTENTION?
Acts 11: 1-25
First, Peter declares to his brethren what God the Holy Spirit did in his own heart (Acts 11: 4-12.) Notice, Peter does not defend himself; that would have only caused more strife between him and his brethren. Nor does Peter argue with his brethren over his actions before the law because that would have only continued to point his brethren to the law and aroused more contention. Peter declares before his brethren the work of God the Holy Spirit: the Voice of divine revelation from heaven, God’s command in his heart, the work of the Spirit of the LORD.
Secondly, Peter declares that the Holy Spirit prepared the heart of Cornelius and the elect in his household the same as he had Peter’s. (Acts 11: 13-14.) Peter declares that not only did the Lord prepare him to preach to the Gentiles but the Spirit also prepared Cornelius to gather his house and his friends to hear the gospel of Christ. See how Peter continues to point his brethren to the work of the Lord, away from the law.
Thirdly, Peter declares how the Lord baptized the Gentiles in the Holy Ghost (Acts 11: 15-16; Ephesians 2:18; Colosians 3:11) Peter declares he could not withstand God (Acts 11: 17)
Fourthly, as Peter rehearsed this matter to those who contended with him, he was proclaiming the gospel to those contentious brethren (Acts 11: 18.) This work of God the Holy Spirit in turning Peter’s brethren from the captivity of sin in their flesh back to Christ is one aspect of what is meant in, Roman 6:14: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
In this text we see plainly how you and I will deal with one another if we turn from Christ to the law. May his grace in the heart, make the gospel of Christ our Righteousness the tie which binds our hearts in One (Ephesians 4: 1-3.)
Clay Curtis.