• Jewish population in the world (2021)
• Just over 15 million Jews worldwide
• 7.3 million Jews in America (48.1%)
• Just under 7 million Jews in Israel (46.1%)
• 7,637,261,000 world population
• .2% - Jewish population

 
PAUL’S MINISTRY TO THE GENTILES
EPHESIANS 3:1-13
1 For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles--

• After discussing the union of Jewish and Gentile believers in the church (Ephesians 2:11–22), Paul began to offer a prayer on their behalf.
• However, he stopped unexpectedly in the middle of the sentence and digressed on the subject of the divine mystery.
• He explained the meaning of the mystery and returned to his prayer in v. 14.
• Verse 1 is tied in with verse 13.
• Put 2-12 in parenthesis.

 

• Rome controlled the world and Caesar was the emperor.
• Paul does not say he is the prisoner of Caesar.
• He realized all authority is established by God - Romans 13:1 - Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God.[1]
• Just as Pilate had no authority over Jesus - John 19:10-11 - So Pilate said to Him, “You’re not talking to me? Don’t You know that I have the authority to release You and the authority to crucify You?” 11 “You would have no authority over Me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above. This is why the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.”
• Paul was sent to the Gentiles as Peter was sent to the Jews - Galatians 2:8 - since the one at work in Peter for an apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in me for the Gentiles.[2]

2 assuming you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that he gave me for you.

• You have heard, haven't you?" - (Ephesians 2:11-22)
• You were here last week?
• Remember that Paul spent 3 years in Ephesus as well. ‎
• The word “dispensation” is oikonomia, made up of oikos, “a house” and nomos, “law,” thus, “the law of the house.”
• The word speaks in general of the stewardship, oversight, management, or administration one has over something. ‎
• Our English word “economy” is derived directly from the Greek oikonomia, “the law of the house,” or “a stewardship, a management.”
• God gave him a “dispensation” (stewardship) that he might go to the Gentiles, not only with the Good News of salvation through Christ, but also with the message that Jews and Gentiles are now one in Christ.
• God has different ways of managing His program from age to age, and these different “stewardships” Bible students sometimes call “dispensations” (Ephesians 1:9–10).
• God’s principles do not change, but His methods of dealing with mankind do change over the course of history.
• “Distinguish the ages,” wrote St. Augustine, “and the Scriptures harmonize.”

3 The mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have briefly written above.

• Galatians 1:11-12 - For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. 12 For I did not receive it from a human source and I was not taught it, but it came by a revelation of Jesus Christ.[3]
• Paul went away to Arabia for 3 years.
• It was 14 years after that when he met with the Apostles.
• He was able to describe in detail what happened in the upper room at the last supper.
• Can you imagine the shock on Peter, James & John's faces?
• "As I have written above/before" - Ephesians 2:11-22.

4 By reading this you are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ.

• Insight - "critical understanding"
• A mystery is something previously concealed but now made known in the Gospel. ‎
• ‎“Mystery”, a sacred secret purpose of God which when uncovered is understood by the Spirit-taught believer.
• The unredeemed are incapable of comprehending this mystery for it is revealed through Jesus.
• ‎That the Gentiles were to be saved was no mystery (Romans 9:24–33; 10:19–21).
• The mystery ‘hid in God’ was the divine purpose to make of Jew and Gentile a wholly new thing— ‘the Church, which is His (Christ’s) body, formed by the baptism with the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:12, 13) and in which the earthly distinction of Jew and Gentile disappears (Ephesians 2:14, 15; Colossians 3:10, 11).

5 This was not made known to people in other generations as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:

• Abraham, Moses, Joshua, King David, Isaiah, Daniel or any OT prophet did not know what Paul knew... nor did they have the capabilities.
• They knew that a Savior was to come for the purpose of dying for the sin of man.
• But they had no idea about the church age...
• "I had no idea..."
• It is insight that could only be attained through the Spirit.

6 The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

• It wasn't that the Jews had a problem believing the Gentiles could be saved.
• They believed that ever since Genesis 12:3.
• But becoming one in Christ with no racial distinction was incomprehensible for the Jew.
• The mystery is therefore, "Christ Himself", in whom both Jew and Gentile believers have everything.

7 I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power.

• "made" = God ordained
• Minister = Servant
• "working" = God's energizing
• "His power" = everything needed to complete the task
• It is God who calls, sustains and empowers ministers.
• If this were not true, then both you and I suffer.

8 This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ,

• and he later calls himself the “chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).
• This has to be in light of the way he previously persecuted the church before his conversion.
• What/who are the incalculable riches of the Jesus? We are!

9 and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.

• Paul wanted all Jews and Gentiles to know that they could be one in Christ.
• Even though Paul's ministry was to the Gentiles, he made it a priority to visit the Jewish synagogues first when entering a new city.
• He did so because he understood that the Gospel was to be presented "to the Jews first and also to the Greek" Romans 1:16.

10 This is so that God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens.

• Ephesians 6:12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.[4]
• Nowhere in the Old Testament would Satan find any prophecies concerning the church, “the mystery” of Jews and Gentiles united in one body!
• Satan could see unbelieving Jews rejecting their Messiah, and he could see Gentiles trusting the Messiah, but he could not see both believing Jews and Gentiles united in one body, seated with Christ in the heavenlies, and completely victorious over Satan!
• Had Satan known the far-reaching results of the Cross, no doubt he would have altered his plans accordingly.

11 This is according to his eternal purpose accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• God’s program today is not “the headship of Israel” (Deuteronomy 28:1–13), but the headship of Christ over His church.
• We today are under a different “stewardship” from that of Moses and the prophets, and we must be careful not to confuse what God has clarified.
• God's ultimate goal is that everything in the created realm glorify Him.
• Acts 17:25 - Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.[5]
• God requires that we worship Him, not for His benefit, but for ours.
• It is through beholding His glory and majesty that we latch on to God's perspective of life and enter into true joy and peace.

12 In him we have boldness and confident access through faith in him.

• Many saints are deficient in the area of worship because they feel they are unworthy to enter God's presence.

13 So, then, I ask you not to be discouraged over my afflictions on your behalf, for they are your glory.[6]

• You could either be upset about Paul's situation or get fired up about it!
• Warren Wiersbe - The reason many churches are weak and ineffective is because they do not understand what they have in Christ. And the cause of this is often spiritual leaders who are not good “stewards of the mystery.” Because they do not “rightly divide the Word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15), they confuse their people concerning their spiritual position in Christ, and they rob their people of the spiritual wealth in Christ.
• Paul made it clear that physical, material blessings are not always the experience of the dedicated Christian (2 Corinthians 4:7–12; 11:23–12:10).[7]
• ‎When you know what God is doing in the world, and you work with Him, you can be sure that He will work in you and for you.
• All of His divine resources are available to those who sincerely want to do His will and help Him accomplish His purposes on earth.
• ‎But an understanding of God’s program in this present age not only gives the believer confidence toward God.
• It also gives him courage in the difficult circumstances of life.
• Paul’s sufferings for the Gentiles would mean glory for the Gentiles.
• In the Old Testament age, when God’s people obeyed, God blessed them materially, nationally, and physically (Deuteronomy 28); and if they disobeyed, He withdrew these blessings.
• This is not the way He deals with the church today. Our blessings are spiritual, not material (Ephesians 1:3); they have all been given to us completely in Christ.
• We appropriate them by faith; but if we disobey God, He does not revoke them.
• We simply lose the enjoyment and the enrichment of them.
  ​
  

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Ro 13:1). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Ga 2:8). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Ga 1:11–12). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 6:12). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible (Ac 17:25). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 3:1–13). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 30). Victor Books.

UNITY IN CHRIST
EPHESIANS 2:11-22
11 So, then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,” which is done in the flesh by human hands.

• But since the hour that God called Abraham, God made a difference between Jews and Gentiles.
• He made this difference, not that the Jews might boast, but that they might be a blessing and a help to the Gentiles.
• God set them apart that He might use them to be a channel of His revelation and goodness to the heathen nations.
• Sad to say, Israel kept this difference nationally and ritually, but not morally.
• Genesis 15:6 - Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.[1]
• Genesis 17:1-8 – When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him, saying, “I am God Almighty. Live in my presence and be blameless. 2 I will set up my covenant between me and you, and I will multiply you greatly.”
• Then Abram fell facedown and God spoke with him: 4 “As for me, here is my covenant with you: You will become the father of many nations. 5 Your name will no longer be Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I will make you the father of many nations. 6 I will make you extremely fruitful and will make nations and kings come from you. 7 I will confirm my covenant that is between me and you and your future offspring throughout their generations. It is a permanent covenant to be your God and the God of your offspring after you. 8 And to you and your future offspring I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as a permanent possession, and I will be their God.”[2]
• Genesis 17:9-12 – God also said to Abraham, “As for you, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations are to keep my covenant. 10 This is my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you, which you are to keep: Every one of your males must be circumcised. 11 You must circumcise the flesh of your foreskin to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and you., 12 Throughout your generations, every male among you is to be circumcised at eight days old—every male born in your household or purchased from any foreigner and not your offspring.[3]
• Romans 2:28-29 - For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. 29 On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter. That person’s praise is not from people but from God.[4]

12 At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world.

• Kenneth Wuest - 5 Things were true about uncircumcised Gentiles:
• 1) They were "without Christ"‎ - The Ephesians worshiped the goddess, Diana, and, before the coming of the Gospel, knew nothing about Christ.
• 2) They were "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel" - no rights - ‎A Gentile could enter the nation as a proselyte, but he was not born into that very special nation.
• Genesis - Theocratic Kingdom
• God had complete authority over the universe.
• Adam (man) was given dominion over the earth.
• The fall came and power was given to Satan.
• God chose the Jews to reestablish His theocracy.
• 3) They were "strangers from the covenants of the promise"‎.
• While the blessing of the Gentiles is included in God’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3 – The Lord said to Abram: Go from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.[5])
• God did not make any covenants with the Gentile nations.
• The Gentiles were “aliens” and “strangers”—and the Jews never let them forget it.
• 4) They had "no hope"‎
• Historians tell us that a great cloud of hopelessness covered the ancient world.
• Philosophies were empty; traditions were disappearing; religions were powerless to help men face either life or death.
• 5)  They were "without God in the world"
• The heathen had gods aplenty, as Paul discovered in Athens (Acts 17:16–23).
• Someone in that day said that it was easier to find a god than a man in Athens.

13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

• The Gentiles, through faith in Jesus, now have access to the Father anytime they like.
• A privilege that no Jew possesses while living under the Law in his lost condition.

14 For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh,

• Picture of the Temple and the Gentile Court.‎
• Description found at Herod's Temple in 1871 - "No foreigner may enter within the barricade which surrounds the sanctuary and enclosure. Anyone who is caught doing so will have himself to blame for his ensuing death."
• Enmity - deep-rooted hatred. “15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring.[6]” (Gen. 3:15).
• The friendship of the world is “enmity with God” (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15, 16).
• The “carnal mind” is “enmity against God” (Rom. 8:7).
• Galatians 3:28 - There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus.[7]

15 he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create in himself one new man from the two, resulting in peace.

•  “He made no effect” - "Abolish" - To make in operative or inactive
• Jesus did away with this ceremonial Law to free all believers to live by grace.
• "one new man" - A new creation in Christ.
• The old man inherited by Adam was crucified and eradicated in Christ's body.
• Peace replaces enmity and unity prevails as the byproduct.

16 He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross by which he put the hostility to death.

• It was not a question of the Gentile becoming a Jew to become a Christian, but the Jew admitting he was a sinner like the Gentile.
• “since there is no distinction. 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God[8]” (Romans 3:22–23).
• ‎The same Law that separated Gentile and Jew also separated men and God, and Christ bore the curse of the Law.
• Paul reminds us that unbelieving Gentiles were under the Law as well. (Romans 7:4 - Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you also were put to death in relation to the law through the body of Christ so that you may belong to another.[9]).
• Once in Christ, any disunity between Jews & Gentiles is a direct result of sin, not a result of the previous barriers that existed under the Law.

17 He came and proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

• He came into the world to serve as the mediator who would restore peace between God and man.
• "far away" - Gentiles
• "near" - Jews

18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

• As God's children, who possess His Spirit, we can enter into the Father's presence through the avenue of Jesus Christ anytime we like.
• Hebrews 4:16 - Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.[10]

19 So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household,

• Through Jesus, Gentiles "are no longer strangers and aliens".
• Saints - All believers of all time... from Genesis 1:1 - Revelation 22:21 - All saints are members of God's household.
• ‎Sin has divided mankind, but Christ unites by His Spirit.
• ‎All believers, regardless of national background, belong to that “holy nation” with citizenship in heaven (Phil. 3:20–21).

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.

• The apostles being ones who lived with and were trained by Jesus.
• The prophets being those equipped with the message of the apostles during the formative years of the church.
• The cornerstone binds the structure together[11]
• This reference to the temple would be meaningful to both the Jews and the Gentiles in the Ephesian church: the Jews would think of Herod’s temple in Jerusalem, and the Gentiles would think of the great temple of Diana.
• Both temples were destined to be destroyed, but the temple Christ is building will last forever.
• Now referring to the Church which is believers in Acts 2 all the way up to Christ’s return.

21 In him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

• "in Him"
• These stones are the believers that are being fit together today.

22 In him you are also being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit.[12]

• Oswald Chambers - It is one thing to have participated in regeneration and sanctification and quite another thing to enjoy the knowledge that your body is “the temple of the Holy Ghost.” That is not an experience, it is a revelation, and a revelation which takes some believing, and then some obeying.
• Who inhabits the temple? The Holy Spirit.
• ‎I have to see that I instruct myself regarding these revelations which are only interpreted to me by the Holy Ghost, never by my natural wisdom.

God's masterpiece!

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Ge 15:6). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Ge 17:1–8). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Ge 17:9–12). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Ro 2:28–29). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible (Ge 12:1–3). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible (Ge 3:15). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible (Ga 3:28). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible (Ro 3:22–23). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Christian Standard Bible (Ro 7:4). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Christian Standard Bible (Heb 4:16). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 25). Victor Books.
[12] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 2:11–22). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

• Peter (in Joppa) had just come out of his trance where God told him 3 times about making all the animals clean enough to eat.
• Peter’s understanding changed from the Jews being clean and the Gentiles unclean to both the Jews and the Gentiles had been made clean by God.
• This meant the Gentiles didn’t have to become Jews before they became believers.

 
Acts 10
PETER VISITS CORNELIUS
17 While Peter was deeply perplexed about what the vision he had seen might mean, right away the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions to Simon’s house, stood at the gate.

• “Deeply perplexed” – processing in his mind… At this point Peter already had the mind of Christ.
• God’s timing… perfect… sovereignty.

18 They called out, asking if Simon, who was also named Peter, was lodging there.

• The other Simon… besides the tanner who owns this house.

19 While Peter was thinking about the vision (processing), the Spirit told him, “Three men are here looking for you.

• An angel appeared to Cornelius.
• God clarified to Peter with a voice from heaven 3 times.
• Now the Spirit is speaking to Peter.
• God is making Himself known.

20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them with no doubts at all, because I have sent them.”

• God has given Peter orders.
• He has to hear them first…
• Then he has to obey.
• Hearing is difficult but easier than obeying.
• Peter went in confidence… He trusted God.

21 Then Peter went down to the men and said, “Here I am, the one you’re looking for. What is the reason you’re here?”

• Did Peter really not know what his role in this situation was?
• Peter was always prepared to share the Good News.
• Maybe he was just trying to piece together what the Lord was doing with his vision and the appearance of these men at the right time.

22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who has a good reputation with the whole Jewish nation, was divinely directed by a holy angel to call you to his house and to hear a message from you.” 23 Peter then invited them in and gave them lodging.

• Did you say, “Good reputation with the Jewish nation? Come on in!”
• Peter invited Gentile men in to come stay with him.
• The division between Jews and Gentiles was beginning to end.
• Cornelius had told these men his story. Surely they told Peter the whole story.

The next day he got up and set out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him. 24 The following day he entered Caesarea.

• Peter took 6 Jewish men with him. (Acts 11:12 - The Spirit told me to accompany them with no doubts at all. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we went into the man’s house.)
• It took them 2 days to travel 25-30 miles north to Caesarea.

Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.

• Have you ever prepared your house for someone special to come stay there?
• It’s a big deal… You want your whole family there to share in the excitement.

25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him.

• This was out of respect… due to the nature of Peter’s reputation among the Jews as an apostle and also an angel setting the stage for this moment.

26 But Peter lifted him up and said, “Stand up. I myself am also a man.”

• Peter was humble in his response and would have nothing to do with making himself (a Jew) better than Cornelius (a Gentile).

27 While talking with him, he went in and found a large gathering of people.

• Strolling into the house together.

28 Peter said to them, “You know it’s forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner, but God has shown me that I must not call any person impure or unclean. 29 That’s why I came without any objection when I was sent for.

• Peter briefly explains his vision about all animals were made clean and this was God telling him that the Gentiles were just as clean as the Jews.

So may I ask why you sent for me?”

• But Peter is still not sure what Cornelius’ purpose was in calling him to his house.
• I’m not even sure Cornelius had a clue why he was to invited Peter to his house other than an angel told him to.

30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this hour, at three in the afternoon, I was praying in my house. Just then a man in dazzling clothing (an angel) stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your acts of charity have been remembered in God’s sight. 32 Therefore send someone to Joppa and invite Simon here, who is also named Peter. He is lodging in Simon the tanner’s house by the sea.’ 33 So I immediately sent for you, and it was good of you to come. So now we are all in the presence of God to hear everything you have been commanded by the Lord.”

• Cha-ching! Ah… Peter is just supposed to do what he has been called to do… Share the Good News… but now with the Gentiles.

 
GOOD NEWS FOR GENTILES
34 Peter began to speak: “Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, 35 but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

• The past 48 hours is beginning to make sense to Peter.
• You can still be obedient to the Father without knowing the whole plan.
• Peter saw that God does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnic background, looking up to some and down on others.
• But God does discriminate between those whose behavior is acceptable and those whose attitude is not acceptable.
• Those who reverence God and practice what is right are acceptable to him (v. 35; cf. Luke 8:21).[1]
• It is a judgment of one’s heart… not their production.
• Their production is typically a good indicator of their heart.

36 He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all.

• “Peace”… this isn’t about civil rest.
• There is a big difference between our human peace and the peace of Jesus.

37 You know the events that took place throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about doing good and healing all who were under the tyranny of the devil, because God was with him. 39 We ourselves are witnesses of everything he did in both the Judean country and in Jerusalem, and yet they killed him by hanging him on a tree.

• Deuteronomy 21:22-23 - “If anyone is found guilty of an offense deserving the death penalty and is executed, and you hang his body on a tree, 23 you are not to leave his corpse on the tree overnight but are to bury him that day, for anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.[2]

40 God raised up this man on the third day and caused him to be seen, 41 not by all the people, but by us whom God appointed as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

• A bodily resurrection would have been a new concept to the Gentiles.

42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that through his name everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins.”

• Jesus forgave all sin on the cross.
• It is not our sins that separated us from God… it was our sinful nature.
• Our sinful nature produced sin naturally.
• Our new nature (which replaced the old) produces works from a new heart.
• As believers today, we are learning to live out of our new heart.

 
GENTILE CONVERSION AND BAPTISM
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who heard the message.

• The miracle of repentance and forgiveness occurred before he could even extend the invitation, and the Spirit sealed the event.[3]
• Peter didn’t get to ask people to bow their heads, say a prayer and then raise their hands!

45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in other tongues and declaring the greatness of God.

• The expression here seems more likely related to worship, since there is no need for Cornelius and those with him to speak a human language that would have been otherwise unknown to them (see 1 Cor 14:1–25).[4]

Then Peter responded, 47 “Can anyone withhold water and prevent these people from being baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

• Again, Peter is proclaiming no differentiation between what the Gentiles have just received and what the Jewish Christians already  have.

48 He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days. [5]

• These Gentiles were not saved by being baptized; they were baptized because they gave evidence of being saved. [6]

 
GENTILE SALVATION DEFENDED
Acts 11
1 The apostles and the brothers and sisters who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, 3 saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

• It was easy for Peter to accept the Gentiles as part of the faith because it came straight from God.
• Now Peter had to be the one to convince the Jewish Leadership.

4 Peter began to explain to them step by step: 5 “I was in the town of Joppa praying, and I saw, in a trance, an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners from heaven, and it came to me. 6 When I looked closely and considered it, I saw the four-footed animals of the earth, the wild beasts, the reptiles, and the birds of the sky. 7 I also heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’
8 “‘No, Lord!’ I said. ‘For nothing impure or ritually unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But a voice answered from heaven a second time, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call impure.’
10 “Now this happened three times, and everything was drawn up again into heaven. 11 At that very moment, three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea arrived at the house where we were. 12 The Spirit told me to accompany them with no doubts at all. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we went into the man’s house. 13 He reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is also named Peter. 14 He will speak a message to you by which you and all your household will be saved.’
15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came down on them, just as on us at the beginning. 16 I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If, then, God gave them the same gift that he also gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, how could I possibly hinder God?”

• Peter dropped the “But God…” phrase on them.

18 When they heard this they became silent. And they glorified God, saying, “So then, God has given repentance resulting in life even to the Gentiles.”[7]

• Sure… it sounds like the Jews were accepting of the Gentiles coming to the same faith in Jesus, but…
• They still had the circumcision and food restrictions to negotiate.
• In later years, God would use the letters of Paul to explain the “one body,” how believing Jews and believing Gentiles are united in Christ (Eph. 2:11–3:12).
• But at that time, this “mystery” was still hidden; so we must not be too hard on those saints who were uneasy about the place of the Gentiles in the church.[8]

[1] Polhill, J. B. (1992). Acts (Vol. 26, p. 260). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Dt 21:22–23). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Polhill, J. B. (1992). Acts (Vol. 26, p. 263). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[4] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ac 10:46). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 10:1–48). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 447). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 11:1–18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 448). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.