A Bible Study on the Book of Acts Session 25
The Church of the Holy Apostles;
Based upon the Homilies of St John Chrysostom (SJC)
Study Guide – Acts 10.44-11.18, Homily 24
Chapter 10 v. 44-48 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
God’s providence at work. He doesn’t wait for Peter even to finish speaking. SJC “Observe God’s providential management. He does not suffer the speech to be finished, nor the baptism to take place upon a command of Peter, but, when He had made it evident how admirable heir state of mind is, and a beginning is made of the work of teaching, and they have believed that assuredly baptism is the remission of sins, then forthwith come the Spirit upon them.”
Not only did they receive the Holy Spirit, they spoke in tongues!
Peter is present to confirm that THROUGH the Apostles this work is to be accomplished.
Who would ever even forbid the Gentiles to be baptized now?! – Peter speaks triumphantly
Peter defends himself, THEN they are baptized to show this is from God, not from Peter.
Chapter 11 v. 1-3 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”
It is not the Apostles that are upset, but “those of circumcision” since they are fanatics about the Law. This may foreshadow Acts 15.
SJC “But how came it that in the case of Samaritans this did not happen, but, on the contrary, neither before their baptism nor after it was there any controversy, and there they did not take it amiss, nay, as soon as they heard of it, sent the Apostles for this very purpose? True, but neither in the present case is this the thing they complain of; for they knew that it was of Divine Grace: what they say, Why did you eat with them?”
SJC “Do you note what zeal they had for the Law? Not Peter’s authority abashed them, not the signs which had taken place, not the success achieved, what a thing it was; the Gentiles having ‘received the word;” but they contended about those petty things.”
Chapter 11 v. 4-16 But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying: “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. “When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. “And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ “But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ “But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ “Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. “At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. “Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. “And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, ‘who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’ “And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. “Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
Peter relates the vision and story so that the Jews may learn WHY this all took place.
Peter relates the vision differently from how he tells Cornelius because this is a difference circumstance
SJC “Do you mark? ‘I did my part,’ says he, ‘I said, that I have never eaten aught common or unclean:’ with reference to this that they said, ‘You went in, and did eat with them.’ But this he does not say to Cornelius: for there was no need to mention it to him.
Peter justifies himself and teaches mildly. SJC “For the more mildly he expresses himself, the more tractable he makes them.”
Peter makes a point several times to invoke the “Holy Spirit” and “God” to reinforce this is not his teaching, but it is from God.
Chapter 11 v. 17-18 “If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”
The Gentiles are EQUAL members of the Church. SJC “Do you perceive how he does not allow them to have less?”
Peter makes one final plea – SJC “It was not possible for me to hinder – a forcible plea indeed, and such as might well put them to shame. Whence being at last afraid, ‘they held their peace and glorified God.’
Teaching on Proper Christian Witness/Martyrdom – (see Homily 24, pp 158-160)
- Glorify God and accept that you have received a gift to witness to others
- Nothing can harm the body, just the soul
- Spiritual persecution is worse than physical persecution
- A few earnest faithful are of greater value than many lazy faithful
- One/few can save many through their faithfulness
Life Application – Be committed to being a Church of proper witnesses (Homily 24, pp 160-161)
- Don’t be known by your numbers, but by your faithfulness
- Correct your brother and sister Christians
- Many can be wounded by the sins of a few
We will be judged if we do not help others stop sinning.