The Petrified Soul

Peter wrote his epistles before the destruction of the Temple. But he must have remembered Jesus' words as he wrote about people becoming the house of God. Jesus had predicted that the Temple would be completely destroyed. Peter recognized that God was about to do something new. The Temple had lots its mission to be a light to the world and a house of prayer to the nations.

Greed and corruption had led to idolatry. But the religious leaders were blind to this reality. The Talmud records the following about the Temple destruction, “The Second Temple period, whence Torah was studied, its commandments observed, and acts of loving kindness were performed – why was it destroyed? Because of unwarranted hatred which is as bad as idol worship, incest and murder.”

While religious hatred was certainly a significant factor in the Temple destruction, that explanation does not begin to tell the whole story. The Romans were angry at the Jews and irrational hatred caused them to take extreme measures. But God had to allow this destruction to take place. Why would He have done that if everyone was fulfilling His plan?

Peter wrote about this reality in his letter. He wrote, "You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:5).

Quoting Scripture, Peter identified Jesus as a cornerstone for a new Temple. You don't lay a cornerstone unless you are building something new. It is the key stone that everything else is based on. Those who accept Jesus as a precious cornerstone take part in God's new work. Others stumble over Jesus and reject God wanted to do.

Peter saw his identity and called others to do the same. He wrote, "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy" (1 Peter2:9-10).

God brought a new light to the word in the person of Jesus. The new Temple would no longer be a physical building. Today, it is the human heart filled with God's Spirit. If the Second Temple still stood, God's people would be tempted to worship it instead of God.

The Temple was destroyed so that people could experience the fullness of God's glory on the earth. There is no longer just one place where people experience mercy and forgiveness. Every space is sacred ground when you are the Temple. This reality changes everything. It causes every new day, every conversation, and every challenge to have a sense of spiritual significance. There is no such thing as sacred vs. secular. Everything becomes spiritual for those who walk in the Spirit. This does not cheapen what it means for something to be of the spirit. No, it elevates every moment to be a time when you experience oneness with God.

Peter wrote, "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy'" (1 Peter 15&16).

This was not a call to legalism or self effort. This was a call to grace... to embrace the cross. As a good disciple, Peter embraced the cross to find life. He died to his own ideas of good and evil and walked according to what God commanded.

What about you? Have you embraced the joy of the cross?

Things are never in reality how we picture them in our mind. And the outcome tends to be different than what we think will happen when we first start on a journey. Peter must have felt the same way about his journey with Jesus.

Who would have ever seen this simple fisherman being a person who would leave a permanent mark on the world? What even Simon could not see in the beginning, Jesus saw. He looked down through time and saw Simon as a rock.

Jesus knew how to see the potential in everyone. And if the individual were to only see what God saw, the person would never be the same. This still holds true today. God believes in you more than you ever will because He knows the intended design and capacity of your life.

Peter went from a fragile stone to a pillar in God's early Church. Two keys jump out about his amazing life and ministry. Peter was willing and he desired to be with Jesus and to become like him.

Even when Peter had doubts and questions and would dare to say no to Jesus, Peter eventually came around to doing whatever was asked of him. He was willing to be used by God. Secondly, he had a great desire to be with Jesus. Generally brash and impatient, Peter would leap to be with Jesus and try to do what he did.

More than just copy his actions, Peter developed to the point where he sought to become like Christ and take from His strength and power. He came to believe in himself and what God could do in a life that was fully surrendered to the will and call of God.

At first, Peter had an idea of what Jesus could do for him and his people. He was quick to remind Jesus what he left to follow Him. This suggests that Peter was lobbying for a top spot in whatever revolution Jesus would bring.

The reality was far different from what anybody seemed to anticipate except Jesus. God's kingdom coming to earth was less about riches and more about giving. It showed the greatest glory in sacrifice and love not power and fame. There was no place for self adoration. If Jesus as God, focused on the glory of God, the Father, how much more should the disciples stay away from self promotion?

Upon seeing the first of many great miracles performed for him, Peter fell down at Jesus' feet and begged Him to leave. Peter declared himself to be sinner unworthy of honor. Jesus did not leave him her. He lifted Peter's head and challenged him to seize the identity that God has in store for him.

Throughout his life, Peter struggled between extremes. At one moment he could be very brash and proud. The next he could be fearful or struggling with a sense of inferiority. Other times he could be very humble or meek. Peter could be stubborn or the most moldable of disciples. He was raw - someone we can all relate to by our own struggles.

For most of the Gospels and the early years of the Church, Peter had been a key leader and central figure in Christianity. This all changed as Peter decreased so that Christ would increase. Paul became the central figure of the second half of Acts.

The last time we read about Peter in Acts is his speech in defense of Gentile believers. He said, "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us" (Acts 15:7-8).

Peter showed up in the dispute covered in the previous section. Finally, he wrote a letter to Christians throughout Asia Minor, known today as 1 Peter. A second letter call 2 Peter was written to Christians in general warning about false teaching that might arise.

Scholars widely debate whether or not these letters were actually written by Peter. Timing of the persecution mentioned in this letter, the literary skill of the prose and the geographic area covered by the greeting have been raised as historical concerns. Peter appeared to be talking about more than just martyrdom. Although widespread execution of Christians did not occur until after Nero's rule, the letter could have referred to local persecution and things such as verbal abuse or social ostracism. Some today think of Peter as illiterate or mentally unable to write these letters. But he had been a businessman who would have likely known how to read and write. Jews customarily taught their children basic skills. When the religious leaders referred to Peter as an "unschooled ordinary man," they were likely insinuating that he lacked Talmud training, the higher level education required for rabbis and teachers. Peter could have also used a scribe or other person to help him develop the letters. Finally, the concern about the cities mentioned not having received the Gospel by the time of Peter's death. Nobody knows for sure how quickly the Gospel spread in some areas. Generally, the Gospel advanced at a rapid pace. And there is little detail about all the various missionary exploits of the apostles and early Church leaders.

While it was common for false letters or gospels to be developed by a writer and then attributed to someone with a recognizable name, such as Peter, these letters were accepted as authentic by the early Church. There is certainly as much historical evidence to accept these letters as to dismiss them. Given the above factors and the fact that the content does not disagree with other recognized books of the New Testament, this book will accept the authenticity of these letters.

Peter fades into obscurity without any concrete history about his later years or final ministry. The only record that we really have are the two epistles that he wrote. This does not mean that he became insignificant or retired to a life of leisure. The letters show that he was still involved in ministry, caring for local churches, speaking against false teaching, and encouraging personal transformation for the life of the believer.

It seems likely that Peter went around to strengthen local churches. This may have included those places he mentioned in his first epistle. Peter wrote that letter from "Babylon" which likely referred to either the real geographic location along the Euphrates River or Rome as a figurative Babylon of his day. Scholars debate whether Peter ever went to Rome. Some believe that he died there.

From Jesus' words in John 21:18 and Peter's own prediction in his first epistle, he likely died a martyr's death. Scholars generally agree that Peter died during Nero's reign (AD 64-68). Church tradition indicates that Peter was crucified. Origen, a Christian leader and historian, indicated that Peter felt unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as Jesus so he requested to be crucified upside down.

In his later years, Peter embraced the cross that he once fled. Just as Jesus had predicted, he came to the point of complete surrender where he was willing to follow Jesus any where, including the cross. If he was indeed crucified upside down the for the reason stated by tradition, this demonstrates humility that only comes after you realize how great God is and how small you are.

Peter ministered to the end, yet he became less the focus because it was never about him in the first place. The Gospel was always about Jesus. Consider this simple truth from John, maybe the most familiar passage of the New Testament.

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He have His one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Fading to the back indicates a life that understand the Gospel. In discipleship, we must come to the place that we truly believe and accept our life is not about us. It is about God, His glory and His Kingdom. We just get the pleasure and the joy to be a part of it all.

Peter had been the man to first extend hospitality to the Gentiles. He tore down the wall between Jews and Gentiles. He did this after receiving a vision from God and word from the Holy Spirit. Jesus called Peter to set aside his prejudices and work toward one Church. His actions at Caesarea had led to the spread of the Gospel to Gentiles.

While Peter had stood up for the Gentile Christians in front of the Jewish believers in Jerusalem, he was not perfect. He was still prone to make mistakes.

Peter's ministry to that point had remained focused on the Jews. Paul on the other hand was sent as the leading missionary to the Gentiles. He appeared to have a deeper conviction that Gentiles did not need to act like Jews to be welcome as fellow Christians.

Paul opposed Jews eating separately or acting as if they could not fellowship with Gentile believers. He saw the communion of one body at one table not a divided Church. Peter may have agreed with this in principle. But old habits can be hard to break. This is especially true when people come around that we want to impress. The fear of man can lead even a strong leader to cave when peer pressure gets too great. When Peter came to Antioch Paul got in his face for being two-faced.

At first, Peter had no problem eating with the Gentiles. But that all changed when some Jewish Christians from Jerusalem came to town. James, the leader of the church in Jerusalem, is mentioned in connection with these men. But we don't know whether or not he sent them. We don't even know if they represented his theological perspective although James tended toward a more legalistic view than Paul. When these men known as Judaizers came to Antioch, Peter withdrew from the Gentiles because he was worried about offending the religious sensitivities of the Jerusalem Jewish Christians.

Paul said that these men from Jerusalem were of the circumcision group. This likely means that they thought you had to be circumcised to be a Christians. And some of the Gentiles among the group probably had not been circumcised.

Scripture does not indicate whether or not the men from James encouraged this or said anything to provoke this response. That doesn't really matter because it is clear that Peter set the tone, and the other Jewish Christians followed his lead.

Leaders must hold themselves to a higher standard and realize that they are always being watched. Not only our words and actions, even our facial expressions or body language can bring death and division to a situation. Peter needed to know who he was and lead in the right direction. Or else it was going to have a negative effect on everyone in that local assembly of believers.

Paul stepped up as a messenger from God. While we don't see Jesus physically speaking to Peter, God continues to disciple him through this moment. God chose to use a man, and his name was Paul. This is important for Peter's development to take a public rebuke. It also showed that Paul was coming into his own as an Apostle. He had the authority to go face-to-face with Peter. This transformation is not about either one of the men as individuals as much as it was about the morphing of the Gospel to fit a Greek and Roman context. By their actions, the Jewish Christians were acting against the unity of the Gospel.

The tent keepts on getting bigger and some guys from the old establishment did not like it.
Even Barnabas, Paul long-time companion, got swept up in the hypocrisy of the moment.

Paul was right to do what he did because Peter was acting out of ungodly fear and prejudice. Paul showed how Peter was using dishonest scales. He expect one thing from the Gentile Christians and did the exact opposite himself. Paul said, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?"

Paul asked the above question in front of everyone. He then pointed to the message of Christ because the moment was not about the Gentiles, the Jews or any one Christian leader. Paul turned the focus to the essence of the Gospel. Paul said, "We put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified."

Finally, Paul points out how religious separation completely undermines Jesus' message and life. He said, "If righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"

Circumcision was the issue named in this passage that caused Peter's divisive behavior. It was likely not the only concern although it does symbolize the ritualistic differences between the Jews and the Gentiles. The leaders of the Christian church in Jerusalem had already praised God for the Gentiles coming to salvation. It appears that some still wanted them to fully convert to Jewish practices before being accepted among the Jewish Christians. Sometimes leaders have to take a strong stance on the same issue over and over because people can be slow to embrace necessary change.

Once and for all the council of leaders at Jerusalem had already addressed in Acts 15 what the Gentile Christians had to do as far as moral requirements. Circumcision was not on the list. These leaders said that it "seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us" not to burden you with excessive religious requirements. This language shows that the early Church was on a path to discovery. Its leaders were not always certain what to do. Sometimes there were disagreements. In those instances, the leaders had to come together, pray and listen for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Then they had to make judgments based on their inner witness from the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures and common sense group consensus.

In Acts 15, the council in Jerusalem sent a letter to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas as messengers to proclaim what the Gentile believers should do. This letter also identified that some had gone out from Jerusalem without the authorization of the leadership and had caused division and confusion in Antioch.

This time the question went beyond what moral code should Gentiles follow. It was not whether the Gentiles were admissible to the Christian covenant without becoming circumcised. That question had already been settled. Now the issue was whether the Gentile Christians were to be admitted to social intercourse with the Jewish Christians without conforming to Jewish practices.

The Judaizers went to Antioch. And they may have explained away the council's decision by saying that the Gentiles were Christians but Jews were not to eat with them or forsake Jewish practices to accommodate them. The council had not ruled on these issues in their letter.

Fear led Peter to abandon the principles that he had fault for and appeared to believe until the Judaizers showed up. Throughout his life, Peter had periods of bravery and distinction marred by moments of cowardice and fear. Remember that he faithfully witnessed for Christ and then denied him later. He fought for Gentiles as believers fully accepted by God and then refused to eat with them.

This moment could have caused even further division in the Church. But both Paul and Peter responded in a godly way. Peter before his death praised Paul's letters and teaching (2 Peter 3:15). He did this even though the letter to the Gentiles contains the story of this rebuke.

Many of the leaders who should have known better, caved under pressure. This should reassure us as well as challenge us to recognize our own humanity. Barnabas one of those who had directly ministered with Paul to the Gentiles was carried away by this prejudiced attitude. Strangely, had been instrumental in planting and watering the churches of the Gentiles. This shows that even the best men can be weak and inconsistent at times. Leaders must always be on their guard against corrosive compromise.

Paul adhered resolutely to his principles, when others faltered in theirs; he was as good a Jew as any of them (for he was a Hebrew of the Hebrews), but he had fully embraced the cross even while others slipped into religiosity.

Even men with good intentions can say or do things that put others into bondage. Legalism tends to masquerade as purity, propriety or holiness. But it is as firmly grounded in self and pride as any other sin. To eat and to drink, or not to eat and drink, is immaterial. The intent of the heart, our attitude toward God in our behavior, and the impact of our actions on other believers are the deciding factor about the sinfulness of doing anything.

If Paul had not reproved Peter, there would have been a sliding back of Christians into the Jewish religion, and a return to the burdens of the Law. Sometimes one lone person can do more in a conference than the whole assembly. This means that every person has the responsibility to a local body of believers to stand up for what is right.

King Herod arrested some of the people who belonged to the Church and persecuted them. He put James, the brother of John, to death. This pleased the Jewish leaders. Herod noticed this and decided to persecute the Church even more. Herod arrested Peter and put him in prison. He intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.

The Church prayed for Peter without ceasing. Although we don't know what Peter was thinking, he had suffered persecution in the past. He had seen God's power. Yet it would be hard for him to forget that one of his close friends had just been put to death. Maybe Peter thought his hour had come. Maybe he simply trusted God and did not worry.

Bound with two chains, he must have recalled what had happened to Jesus. He may have remembered how Jesus had prophesied his death and talked about the glory of being persecuted for God.

Peter had been fearless ever since receiving the power of the Holy Spirit. But he probably had a lot of time to think while in prison. He obviously felt secure enough to fall asleep.

The night before he was supposed to go to trial, he was suddenly awakened by an angel of the Lord. The angel told Peter to get up and put on his clothes and sandals. The chains fell off as Peter did as directed. He followed the angel out of prison. The iron gate opened by itself. After walking only one street away, the angel left Peter.

As it all happened, Peter was not sure if it was a vision or reality. He suddenly came to his senses and realized that God had freed him. He went to tell the Christians who were praying for him what had happened. At first they didn't believe it was him at the door. They thought the servant girl had just seen an angel or Peter's spirit. These people who had been praying for a miracle were not apt to really believe. But God showed faithful any way. Peter gave a message to the Christians there and then left town to escape Herod's grasp.

Once again God had showed that he was stronger than any earthly ruler. Peter knew that the Lord was not finished with him yet. His time had not yet come. This episode must have further strengthened Peter's trust in God and resolve to press on against all odds.

The apostles and Jewish Christians heard that the Gentiles had received the word of God. Not everyone was happy about this. Many had questions.

Peter went up to Jerusalem and was criticized for going into the homes of uncircumcised men and eating with them. He then explained his actions by reviewing everything that had happened. He even told them how the Holy Spirit had come on the Gentiles. Peter said, "If God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who was I to think that I could oppose God?"

These words quited all the opposition because Peter made a great point. Peter's personal testimony and God's supernatural move in the situation left no doubt that this was the work of God. The Jews praised God and said, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."

Even though God had made His will known, it still took time for the Jewish Christians to warmly welcome the Gentiles. They had a lot of religiosity to overcome. Fear of man caused even Peter to fall into the trap of religious prejudice. This will be covered more later in the book.

The addition of Gentiles stretched the Jewish Christians. It raised questions and caused them to struggle with exactly how best to understand the Gospel outside of a Jewish context. I can certainly image the apostles pointing to Peter at times and saying, "Look what you did!"

Even after His death and ascension to heaven, Jesus continued to disciple Peter. This reminds us that even though we may not see or hear God in the physical realm, the Lord still communicates with His people today. God uses physical signs, visions and dreams, nature, the word's of other men, Scripture, and impressions from the Holy Spirit to guide Christians.

The early Church leaders did not have a complete understanding of everything that should be done. This evolved over time. The Gospel was still taking shape as these men and women learned the deeper lessons that Jesus taught. Revelation came as they ministered and prayed. The Holy Spirit guided them into truth. Many times God's vision was far different than what the Christian leaders first thought.

Peter encountered just such an experience in Acts 10. This passage chronicles the events that led to the Gospel expanding to God-fearing Gentiles. Jesus had a vision that extended beyond just the Jews. God's vision went all the way back to the promise spoken to Abraham that he would be father of many nations. Through him all the world would be blessed. This prophecy found its fulfillment in the life of Jesus.

Initially, the apostles focused on spreading Jesus' life and message to fellow Jews. These men did not set out to start a new religion. They were trying to redeem their own heritage from lies and distortions that they believed masked God's true purposes for Israel. The events of Acts 10 opened up the Gospel to the entire world. God spoke to Peter through a remarkable vision that called him to see beyond his own religious beliefs and personal prejudices.

Jesus had commissioned the apostles to preach the Gospel in all the world. They were to go to the Jew first and then the Gentile. Peter had proclaimed the call of the Gentiles in his preaching. But he had failed to realize this was something that was about to literally take place. Maybe he thought this would happen in the distant future. Possibly, he could have thought they would become Jews first. This is unclear from the text. Certainly, Peter did not appear to understand his prominent role in bringing the Gentiles to Jesus. After all, he was a devote Jew. He was pressing his luck enough by staying in Joppa with a tanner. What would people say if he started eating with Gentiles?

God patiently sent direction and assurance to give Peter the courage to do what needed to be done. Moses prohibited intermarriage and the practice of foreign religions. Jewish leaders extended this beyond both the letter and the spirit of the law. These pious Jews would not eat with the uncircumcised. It was a matter of religious custom not divine law. Religious attitudes tend to add unnecessary complexity to God's law. Dead religion erects barriers and makes it difficult for the people of God to welcome in new believers. This can still be seen today as many people avoid churches because they feel unwelcome to attend.

While staying at the house of Simon a tanner, Peter had a vision that would shake his worldview forever. Peter was hungry and while waiting for food to be prepared he went to pray. He ascended to the top of the roof and fell into a trance as he prayed. Peter saw heaven open wide and a sheet came down with a wide variety of animals including those considered ceremonially unclean. According to the Jewish dietary laws (Lev. 11 and Deut. 14) , Jews were forbidden to eat certain animals, such as pigs, rabbits, camels, reptiles, scavengers, many winged insects. etc. The Torah forbid Jews to even touch the dead carcass of these creatures.

A voice from heaven told Peter to rise kill and eat. As a devote Jew, Peter would not think of violating the food prohibitions of the law. Maybe he thought this was a test. What is clear from the text is that the vision disturbed Peter, and he was not sure what to make of it. Peter responded, "Surely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."

It is clear that Peter recognized the voice as Jesus, his Lord. The voice spoke a second time and said, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." This went on three times and the sheet was taken away.

While contemplating what the vision meant, there was a knock at the door. The Holy Spirit said to Peter, "Three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to to go with them, for I have sent them."

The messengers from the Gentile centurion were waiting to talk with Peter. It appears the purpose of the vision was to show Peter, who would not normally even eat with Gentiles, that he should go with these men.

Peter's vision also appeared to abolish the distinction between clean and unclean creatures. This would allow Jews to eat with whomever and whatsoever they pleased. The food laws had created a barrier between Jews and Gentiles. Now that Jesus was creating one Church of all believers it would be critical for them to fellowship with each other. Peter began to understand that all men both Jew and Gentile are equal before God. Jesus affirmed this command three times because sometimes Peter needed repetition for the lesson to sink in. Immediately, Peter had an opportunity to live out this lesson.

Peter was not sent to just any Gentile. He went to a devout man, one who had forsaken Roman idolatry and superstition. Cornelius feared God, taught his family to do the same, gave to those in need, prayed regularly to God. According to the Biblical account, even the Jews in Caesarea respected Cornelius. He worshipped the one only living and true God, the God of Israel.

Cornelius sent these men to Peter after being instructed to do so by an angel. Even though Cornelius loved God, it appears that had yet to hear the complete Gospel. And he needed to know about Jesus. Interestingly, the angel did not instruct Cornelius himself. The angel pointed Cornelius to another man, an apostle of Christ and minister of the Gospel. This shows that people not angels are the primary messengers that God sends to proclaim the Gospel.

Cornelius did not keep his angelic encounter quiet. He called his family and friends together to share his experiences and wait for God's messenger. They eagerly awaited to hear what God would say.

Upon meeting Cornelius' men, Peter welcomed them into the house to be his guests. He could have sent them away to find lodging. But instead, he arranged to have them stay with him. By this very act, Peter was beginning to live out the vision that God had show him. Peter's act demonstrates how Christians should be willing to entertain strangers.

Peter, Cornelius' men and some Jewish Christians from Joppa went to Caesarea the next day. It is not clear why some of the men from Joppa accompanied them. Maybe it was to serve as witnesses since Peter was charting new territory. He would likely have to justify his action to others. And this way he would have eyewitnesses to whatever God had planned. Maybe the men went along to assist in any way they could. Regardless the reason, Peter did not go alone, which is always a wise move for anyone going to minister in the world. There is always strength in numbers.

Upon meeting Peter, Cornelius fell down at his feet in reverence. But Peter was not looking for worship or even respect. He made the soldier get up. Peter said, "Stand up. I am only a man myself."

When Peter went inside the house, he saw a large crowd of people. This wasn't going to be kept a secret very long. One of the first things that Peter says is, "You know I am not supposed to be here." Aware of the cultural and religious taboo he was violating, Peter may have remembered how Jesus frequently did the same type of thing.

Jews were forbidden by the traditions of the elders, which set restrictions beyond what the Torah prescribed, to eat, drink, walk with in the street or enter the house of a Gentile. Peter explained his actions by saying that God had showed him that he should not call any man common or unclean. All men are unclean apart from Christ, and all those who belong to God have been purified by Christ.

After Cornelius explained why he had sent for Peter, the apostle began to preach. He said, "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right."

Peter appealed to their basic knowledge of Jesus and John the Baptist and connected it to what the prophets said as he completely explained the fullness of the Gospel. He preached Jesus crucified and resurrected as the path to lasting peace. Peter taught that everyone who believes on Jesus receives forgiveness of sins.

While it is good to believe in God, salvation comes through the name of Jesus. He is the author and finisher of our faith. Peter was taking Cornelius and those in his house from a basic concept of God to a fuller understanding of the good news that came through Christ.

As Peter preached, the Holy Spirit came upon all those who were listening. And they began to speak in tongues just as the Jews had done on Pentecost. The Jews who came with Peter were astonished. They thought this experience was only for the Jews. These extraordinary gifts of the Spirit were necessary at the first preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles. It was a sign that confirmed the authority and divine direction of what was taking place. Peter suggested that the Gentiles be baptized in water since they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

These Gentile Christians very likely laid the foundation of a strong church that lasted a long time in that city. They were most certainly the first Gentile church in the world. It is not unlikely that some Gentiles might have heard the Gospel preached in a Jewish synagogue. But this was the first time that the Gospel was deliberately preached to Gentiles. These were the first Gentile Christians to be baptized. Every Gentile believer today can trace his or her faith back to this moment because God's true vision was realised on this day.

God could have chosen a philosopher or priest to be the first Gentile to hear the full Gospel. But he chose Cornelius, a soldier and officer of considerable rank as centurion. First, Cornelius was a seeker who was brave enough to worship God at a time when many Gentiles worshipped false gods and even the Roman emperors. His faith could have easily cost him is military position. Maybe he left his military career as Rome began to target Christians. As a military man, Cornelius would have understood how to get things done and would have been able to provide the discipline and organization to lead the church in Caesarea.

Cornelius is the only soldier of whose conversion we have an account in the New Testament, and of his subsequent career we know nothing. But the impact of this episode in his life is clear. It forever changed the world. God used it enlarge the vision of the apostles to understand the fullness of what it meant to proclaim the Gospel to all nations.

One of the things that made Peter special was his heart. He desired to be with Jesus and to become like Him. Peter never reached the point where he said that he had gone far enough. He never looked back on the past and considered that he had fulfilled his obligation. This can be easy to do when we see God work through us. We can reach a point of complacency where we think we are due a break. But Peter had been forgiven much and as a result he loved much.

Peter was willing to do whatever God asked of him. Sometimes he would complain, question or throw up concerns. But he always relented and followed the Master.

Peter kept his Master's call to feed the early Church. While traveling from place to place, God worked great miracles through him. Peter healed Aeneas by calling on the name of Jesus. He then went to Joppa because a beloved Christian named Tabitha had died. It is unclear whether Peter knew what he was getting into when he agreed to see Tabitha. He may have known she was dead. He may not have. Regardless, Peter answered the call to go to yet another place.

The scene must have been familiar to what Peter saw when Jesus brought Jairus' daughter back to life. There was a crowd of women weeping near the body. They showed Peter the beautiful garments that Tabitha had made when she was alive. They lamented the passing of a gifted member of their community.

Standing in an upper room near a dead women, Peter finds himself once more beside His master. He must have remembered the many times that Jesus brought life to those who were dead. Overwhelmed by the size of the task, Peter knows the only one who can do the impossible is God. Yet he seems willing to be the vessel that God will use to do a miracle.

Just as Jesus had done, Peter sent all the women outside so that he could be alone. Peter fell to his knees and began to pray. At the right moment, he spoke to the dead women. He reached the point of full assurance. The moment of faith in what God would do and then he acted. This shows one of the real reasons why we pray. Our prayers build up our faith and align us with God's heart. As we listen to God, we become aware of how to respond to even the worst circumstances.

Turning to the body, Peter said, "Tabitha, arise." Power went along with this word. And she opened her eyes and sat up.

Once again God had used his people to bring life to the dead. This is God's work even today. Peter's miracle opened the door for the Gospel to be preached. News of the miracle spread all throughout Joppa. As a port city, the story would go well beyond the city to other countries. As great as it is to see the power of God touch one life, it is even better to see the message extend to the nations.

Finding that a door of opportunity was opened for him, Peter stayed in the city many days. He stayed not in the house of Tabitha. Instead, Peter stayed at the house of Simon a tanner, an ordinary tradesman. Tanning was a trade regarded by many Jews as partially unclean and somewhat disreputable. Tanners dealt with the hides of dead animals and blood. For this reason the business was usually done on the outskirts of town. By lodging with a tanner, Peter was breaking taboos just as Jesus had done.

Jesus repeatedly warned the disciples that they would be misunderstood. He told them they would be persecuted just like He was. Consider this encouragement that Jesus gave His disciples. He said, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you" (Matthew 5:11-12 KJV).

Those who ended up persecuting Jesus' disciples were deceived. They actually felt they were doing the work of God. Jesus warned, "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me" (John 16:2-3 KJV).

As soon as the religious leaders heard about the healing and Peter's preaching, they jumped to intervene. They did not want things to get out of hand. Their authority was threatened as was the tranquility they had worked to achieve. The last thing the Temple rulers wanted was more trouble. The Sadducees did not like that these common men were teaching in the Temple. And they certainly did not want Jesus to be preached or the resurrection of the dead.

Many who heard Peter's sermon were convicted and repented. According to Acts, five thousand men responded to Peter's message about the life found in Jesus.

Peter and John were held in the jail overnight. They had the night to think over what had happened and what their future might hold. This could have been enough time to cause ordinary men to back down. But these men were witnesses of life beyond their explanation. These men had been with Jesus.

Early the next day, the religious leaders, including many of those who had conspired to kill Jesus, asked the disciples about the source of their power and authority.

This is not the first time that Peter and John had been together in the presence of this assembly. They were there when Jesus was tried by many of these vary same men. They had stayed in the background then. This time they were the ones on trial. Peter's failure before the cock crowed and his resulting regret may have provided the inspiration he needed to stand firm this time. In this moment of trial, Jesus' words must have come alive in a way never before possible.

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, responded and gave Jesus credit for the great miracle. He said, "It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed."

Drawing a connection with the temple, Peter called Jesus the capstone, the corner stone who was rejected the religious leaders. Peter's word seem to compare the religious leaders to someone searching about vainly for a stone to fit the corner of the foundation when they previously rejected the real corner-stone. They said that they wanted answers. But did they really? Would they like the truth when it was proclaimed to them? Sometimes we think we want the truth, but when we hear it we want anything but the truth.

Going a step further, Peter declared Jesus as King and Savior. He said, "There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." This was a statement loaded with political meaning. Instead of Caesar being the one to save and bring life to the people, Peter declared Jesus as the true Son of God and Savior. Throughout many parts of the empire, the Roman emperors were worshipped as gods. While this practice began long before the ministry of Jesus, it really blossomed after the early Church started. The establishment of Christ's kingdom stood at odds to Roman rule as well as Jewish sentiments about the oneness of God. Peter put his own twist on popular saying for those who had already started to view the emperors as gods. The slogan was, "There is no name under heaven by which men can be saved than Caesar."

The deification of the emperors led to a massive showdown between the early Church and Rome. And it was only beginning. Additionally, the Christian faith by its very core message proved antagonistic to the Jewish Temple authorities in Jerusalem. Peter and John never set out to start a new religion. They were trying to carry on the work of Jesus to help the Jews recognize their true calling and purpose to be a light to the world.

In contrast, the Temple leaders did not like the Gospel or its challenge to their authority. While the Jewish rulers were the first persecutors of the early Church, the practice eventually extended to the Romans. Initially, the Romans provided some protection to Christians. However, this all changed in less than 100 years. Christianity and Roman rule were on a collision course because both proclaimed absolute authority.

When Julius Caesar became emperor, some people in the East worshipped him as a god even though people in Rome did not consider him to be divine. After his murder in 44 BC, a spectacular comet appeared for eight days. This event was seen as the divine authentication of Caesar's deity. His adopted son Octavian proclaimed his father "divine" and himself "Son of God" when he became emperor in 27 BC.

Octavian changed his name to Augustus and began to allow emperor worship. A temple was erected in Ephesus in honor of Julius Caesar. Already considered to be divine by some it was a simple transition to the development of full scale emperor worship. Emperor cults sprang up especially in the eastern reaches of the empire. This practice encouraged emperors to seek such honor. Emperor worship gave validity to Roman rule, unified the empire despite its many cultural differences and reduced social unrest. Despite these advantages, emperor worship developed slowly.

A number emperors came and went before Domitian in 81 AD arose to power. He really fueled the practice of emperor worship. He was obsessed with his status and that of his family. A very brutal leader, Domitian demanded worship as a god through the entire empire. This included Roman citizens as well. Those who refused to worship Domitian were slaughtered, including many Christians.

Domitian insisted on being called "Lord and God" whenever he was mentioned or addressed. Eventually, this became tied to economic survival. You couldn't eat, drink, travel or do business without paying honor to the emperor. For example, the public fountains providing drinking water for the towns and cities were devoted to the Emperor. Before drawing water one must acknowledge the emperor as the provider of life itself.

This is what would come out of these initial encounters. Peter and John had witnessed things that made Caesar a fraud. He was no god, and they knew it because they had seen God in human form. And His name is Jesus.

The Temple leaders were surprised to see Peter and John respond with such wisdom, courage and spiritual authority. Acts recounts that these were unschooled, ordinary men. The Jews took note that "these men had been with Jesus." That simple fact changed everything. When you are with Jesus and follow Him, you can't help but to become like Him.

Confronted with irrefutable miracles and mysteries, the Temple leaders were at a loss for what to do. These men defied explanation. The Jewish leaders did not know that to say so they tried to used intimidation. They were worried about what would happen if the name of Jesus became a source of inspiration for the masses. They said, " We must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name."

Peter and John refused to comply. They responded, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

All the Temple leaders could do was issue some further threats. They were not sure how to punish these men because everyone was praising God for the great miracle that God worked through them.

Peter and John were God's vessels to change the world. They were ordinary men who did extraordinary things simply because they had been with Jesus. As a Christian, our position is in Jesus not ourselves. This truth is one of the greatest mysteries of the Christian faith. It is also one of the most incredible realities that make is possible for us to become something far beyond our wildest dreams.

Peter had seen Jesus heal people countless times. At various points in the past, Peter had experienced God's healing power work through his life. He had seen miracles happened where he played a part in it. According to Acts 2:43, many signs and wonders were done by the apostles since the Spirit has fallen on the day of Pentecost.

But what took place in Acts 3 surpassed all of those moments. It was more than just the a simple healing of a lame man. It was a prophetic act meant to awaken the religious Jews. And it took place right in the heart of their misguided idolatry. On that day, Peter and John took over where Jesus left off.

Peter and John went up to the temple to pray. They met a crippled beggar at the Beautiful Gate. He was asking for alms from the worshippers as they entered the temple. This man asked for money just like he always did and got something far better.

Lame from birth, the beggar had no reason to believe he would ever be able walk. More than 40 years old, there was no way for the man to get out of his misery. Daily he sat near the temple, which in the Jewish understanding was the physical symbol of God's presence. But this lame man never knew God's power in his circumstances until he met true disciples. This was no ordinary day because he was going to meet two men who believed in an extraordinary God. These men knew God's power and had the faith to claim it for divine purposes.

Peter fixed his eyes on the man just as Jesus had done so many times with people in need. He asked the lame man to look on them. This is the same word that Jesus used when talking to Peter about his denial. It means to gaze upon with understanding. The beggar responded expecting a hand out. But Peter wanted him to look with eyes of faith expecting something more. He was calling this poor man to discern the greater gift waiting for him. This beggar was about to receive something beyond his wildest dreams.

Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk" (Acts 3:5-7 KJV)

Peter didn't have a lot of money. But he was rich in the Spirit and God's power. His ministry would never be about monthly or earthly resources. It would be about Jesus and His lordship over all the cares of this world.

Peter helped the man to his feet and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. The lame man was healed because of Peter's faith not his own. There are many hurting people who do not know enough to believe. They need people who will believe for them and left them up so that God's power can work in their circumstances. Peter activated this man's faith by first demonstrating his own.

The lame man not only walked, he leaped around the temple area praising God. Full of the Spirit and prayed up, Peter knew how to bring God's power to those in need. Peter had been affirmed by Jesus for moments just like that.

This miracle took place at a key entrance to the temple. The Beautiful gate of the temple had magnificent folding doors, fifty feet high and forty feet wide, covered with gold and Corinthian brass. As splendid as these doors were, they were void of the kind of power that human temples, made in the image of God possess.

More than just a healing, this was a message. It stopped the religious people in their tracks and forced them to ask some tough questions.

Everyone knew who the lame man was. What they couldn't explain is why he was walking. He held onto Peter and John while proclaiming what had happened to him. Crowds came running to see and were amazed. They began to marvel and looked at the two apostles. Maybe these were great men or prophets in the mold of Jesus. Peter knew the crowds. They were getting too wrapped up in the identity of Peter and John. It's just like men to think that a person is responsible for something that only God can do.

Peter asked, "Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?" (Acts 3:12 KJV). He pointed the crowd to Jesus as the source of life and power.

Peter explained why Jesus had to die and what his resurrection meant for them. This impromptu moment gave Peter the opportunity to preach his second public sermon. It covered Moses, the prophets and Jesus. He connected Jesus to their religious heritage.

Peter appealed to the prophets and the consciences of the hearers to convince them of the Messiahship of Jesus and the rebellion in their hearts. He then called them to repent. Peter said, "Repent, therefore, and turn, that your sins may be blotted out, and that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."

What the temple and its priests were not able to do, God did through Peter and John. These men had become living temples. God healed the lame man to prick the hearts of all the religious Jews.

Peter and John were walking in the spiritual reality that the temple was meant to represent in the physical world. More than just the healing of one man, this was the beginning of a holy revolution that would see the Jewish reality of God's presence turned on its head.

Being like Jesus became the focus of the true believer. Instead of marvel at the temple or any other religious thing, we are to marvel at the mystery of the Gospel - Christ in us the hope of glory.

It can be difficult to remember that when Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples encountered a whole new reality. These men had been accustomed to the physical presence of Jesus. Now, they were having to encounter the challenges of life by relying on the Holy Spirit. This was a necessary change if the men were going to truly become a new creature in Christ. However, this jump was far from easy. It required unity, prayer and waiting on God to move. Then, they had to act when prompted by the Holy Spirit and the conviction of Scripture.

Jesus told the disciples about the power of the Spirit and his mission to guide them into the reality of becoming sons of God. Jesus said, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you" (John 16:12-14 KJV).

The disciples knew the teachings of Jesus although they were only just learning to understand them. There was no clear, definite Gospel for them to rally around. Much of the Christian doctrine was just beginning to take shape. The original apostles were Jews who were discovering a new reality of God's kingdom on earth. They never set out to start a new religion.

With this in mind, the disciples followed Jesus' last order and they stayed together in Jerusalem. They waited for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit just as Jesus had promised. They prayed and remained unified under God's purpose. All of this created the perfect atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to move in their lives.

The disciples are in an upper room and Simon stood up in the midst of them. The phrase "stood up" here is anistemi in the Greek. It means to cause to rise up or to raise from the dead. It can also mean to those who leave a place to go elsewhere, those who prepare themselves for a journey. That is exactly what happened to Simon here. He was entering his calling and mission. He was going on a journey that would eventually take him to a life he would have never chosen on his own.

Simon would now be known as Peter because he stood up and took the position given him by God. Simon stood up as one of them to lead in the moment. Then, he would sit down again because Christ had modeled what it meant to be a servant leader. Instead of each man striving for power, they were learning how to be unified around Jesus as Lord. None of them were better than the other even though there were leaders in the group. Leadership was never about the individual, it was about the leader as a vessel for God's purposes.

Identifying a hole in their leadership, Peter pointed out the Scriptural need to fill the vacancy left by Judas. Whenever a leader falls, it can cause problems for the local Church. People's faith may waver because it can be easy to get sidetracked by the public sin of a leader. Even for the devout believer, people can easily focus on man rather than God.

It is not clear whether Peter acted upon the instruction of Jesus, the guidance of the Holy Spirit or just what seemed right to him at the time. Since we never hear any more about the man selected to replace Judas, some scholars have theorized that this was a misstep. Maybe it was. Maybe it wasn't. The point is that Peter stood up and began to encourage the group to move forward. This decision was more about momentum than anything else. It also reveals God's ability to move in the Church despite a leader's sin.

Peter explained how Judas did what was necessary to fulfill Scripture. He said this to put those events in perspective not to dismiss the severity of Judas' sin. Peter said that another man should take the spot vacated by Jesus. Clearly, he stated that the replacement must be an eyewitness of Jesus' life and ministry.

The group identified two men - Justus and Matthias. Then they prayed and asked for God's guidance. They prayed, "Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen." They cast lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias.

Interestingly, we never hear anything more Matthias. Since Jesus selected the original twelve, maybe He was going to fill the vacancy in His time. The apostles had yet to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Maybe they were acting presumptuously in a manner unauthorized by God. We don't fully know. All we really know is that God continued to work through it.

The apostles recognized Matthias as one of them. This remained the case even after the Spirit came upon them. Many other apostles were not mentioned again either. This did not destroy their standing as apostles. This meant that Matthias likely filled a role even though Paul later became a great apostle anointed by God.

It can be hard to piece together concrete theological guidelines based on what happened. Paul was a different kind of apostle. His ministry centered around spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles not the Jews.

The eleven may have sought a replacement because Jesus originally chose twelve, which was a significant number to the Jews given that there were twelves tribes of Israel. Jesus had promised them that they should sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. This required that there be a replacement for Judas.

The lot fell on Matthias, and the rest is history. The main point of the whole story is that Peter stood up and encouraged the group to move forward. Peter began to lead and God worked through it even when he may have made a misstep. Being an effective leader in the kingdom of God is more about our willingness than our brilliance.

Peter stood up again when the Holy Spirit fell on the day of Pentecost. Some people thought the group was drunk. But Peter explained the event and called the scoffers to repent. He preached an anointed sermon where he explained the Scriptural significance of the moment. All of this came from an unlearned fisherman who simply trusted God enough to be used by Him.

Three thousand people were added to the Church that day in one of the greatest revival moments in the Bible.