Peter Questioned

… what was I, that I could withstand God? (Acts 11:17b KJV)


Do you know this story about Peter?  Most of us know the story from Acts 10.  In verse 1 we’re introduced to Cornelius, miles away from where Peter was in Joppa, in a house with a rooftop.  Verse 2 says he was a devout man who loved God, and God gave him a message.

As his men were arriving in Joppa, Peter was on that rooftop receiving the same vision three different times.  A great sheet filled with creatures that according to God’s own law contained both clean and those unclean.  Peter was instructed to kill and eat.  Thinking it was a test, he told God that he had never eaten unclean – all three times.  God gave His message three times, too.

What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. (Acts 10:15 KJV)

That prepared Peter to accept and understand Cornelius’ request.

… God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. (Acts 10:28 KJV)

Now we’re ready for Acts 11.  You see, God did not speak that same message to the Jewish church elders in Jerusalem, who immediately upon hearing about Peter’s trip to Cornelius called Him to task for it.

And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. (Acts 11:2-3 KJV)

There is no concern here for men’s souls.  There is no rejoicing here, as there is in heaven (Luke 15:7) as men repented.  There is no discussion of sharing Jesus’ teachings with these new Christians. There is no remembrance of the times Jesus was accused of the same thing.

Which brings us to Peter’s explanation of what happened, step by step, action by action, word of God by word of God, closing with this:

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? (Acts 11:17 KJV)

The question we must face is whether we are being the church elders questioning one who witnesses to God’s commands, or are we as Peter, using scripture (Acts 11:16) to explain what God has in mind for us within His plan.  We’ll only know when we’ve spent time with Him in prayer and Bible reading. 

It would do us good to think of Gamaliel, a non-Christian, who did hold God’s word as law:

And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. (Acts 5:38-39 KJV)

Obviously it did not come to nought. The other men Gamaliel mentions in chapter 5 are not remembered today. Peter is, as is his savior, Jesus the Christ. 

We are faced with the same choice – serve God or answer to men.