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01 Acts 11 01-18 PETER'S EXPLANATION 01 Acts 11 01-03 The blunder of the leaders
📖 Acts 11:01-18
01 – Fri27Sep2024 – *The blunder of the leaders* - _Acts 11:01-18_ – PETER’S EXPLANATION – _II Corinthians 04:10-11_
_Acts 11:1-3 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. (2) And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, (3) saying, "You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!"_
A great miracle had taken place and the Gentiles had heard and received the word of God. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and they were baptised. Fellowship between Jews and Gentiles was established. A historical divide was overcome and there was oneness. The Gospel was growing and reaching people and places. This should have been the most exciting and joyous news for the church leaders in Jerusalem.
Instead, what do we see? There was no joy or gladness but a hardened heart that saw things through the perspective of the flesh. They carried a huge baggage that as Jews we ought not to have anything to do with Gentiles.
Friends, let us return, for a moment, to the understanding of baptism. In baptism, we identify with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. In dying with Christ, we are crucified with Him. We no longer live, but Christ lives in us.
In being buried with Christ, all that pertains to the old man is buried. Burial symbolises that the person, along with all of his or her baggage, is now buried and gone. It is only after burial has happened that resurrection can take place. This is the understanding of baptism.
The leaders of the church in Jerusalem were baptised and filled with the Holy Spirit. They were those who were alive in Christ and establishing His kingdom here on earth. Yet, we see the old man re-emerging.
This is the life of faith in Christ for each of us as His children about which Paul writes, _II Corinthians 4:10-11 *always* carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (11) For we who live are *always* delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh._
We *always* carry about in our body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in us. This is the Christian life of faith on an everyday basis. As long as we are in this world and this body, the ‘self’ in us will seek significance. *Our significance or worth comes from Christ and Christ alone. This is the secret that we must embrace.*
Here we see the example of how the Church leaders in Jerusalem, who should have been dead, buried and resurrected with Christ, were still displaying symptoms of the old man. Instead of being joyful that the Gospel had reached the Gentiles, they were depressed and were questioning Peter how he could have had fellowship with the Gentiles.
Paul also teaches that we constantly need to *put off* the old and *put on* the new man. _Ephesians 4:22-24 that you *put off*, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, (23) and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, (24) and that you *put on* the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness._
*This work of putting off and putting on is the work of the Holy Spirit in us.* This is how we grow more and more into the image of Jesus, which is the primary purpose of God in creating man. _II Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord._ As we yield to the Holy Spirit, He will enable us to ‘put off’ the old man and ‘put on’ Christ.
The Gentiles hearing and receiving the word had larger implications. This was the fulfilment of the covenant of God with Abraham. _Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And *in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed*."_
This purpose of God that all the families of the earth should be blessed in Him is the plan and purpose of God that strings through the entire Scriptures. _(Gen 49:10; Psa 22:27, Psa 96:1-10; Isa 11:10, Isa 42:1, Isa 42:6, Isa 49:6, Isa 52:10, Isa 60:3, Isa 62:2; Jer 16:19; Hos 2:23; Amo 9:11-12; Mic 5:7; Zep 2:11, Zep 3:9; Zec 2:11, Zec 8:20-23; Mal 1:11)_ These were Scriptures that the Apostles and elders of the church in Jerusalem knew. They knew that this was the covenant of God with Abraham and yet when the Gentiles heard and received the word, they were not rejoicing, but instead they were distressed.
How important friends, it is for us to guard ourselves to ensure that we always keep our eyes on the Lord. We must always see the Grand Narrative of God. This exercise of seeing the Grand Design of God is not just a good way of looking at life, it is compulsory. This is the way by which we will not fall into the blunder that the leaders in Jerusalem fell into.
```Even when we slip up, the Lord is still gracious to us, and He restores us, teaching us the lessons that we need to learn. Praise God for the healing that happened to the leaders of the church in Jerusalem.```