tain days.”
The descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Gentiles was not an equivalent
for baptism. The requisite steps in conversion, in all cases, are faith,
repentance, and baptism. Thus the true Christian church are united in
one Lord, one faith, one baptism. Diverse temperaments are modified by
sanctifying grace, and the same distinguishing principles regulate the lives
of all. Peter yielded to the entreaties of the believing Gentiles,
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and remained with them for a time, preaching Jesus to all the Gentiles
thereabout.
When the brethren in Judea heard that Peter had preached to the
Gentiles, and had met with them and eaten with them in their houses, they
were surprised and offended by such strange movements on his part. They
feared that such a course, which looked presumptuous to them, would tend
to contradict his own teachings. As soon as Peter visited them, they met
him with severe censure, saying, “Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised,
and didst eat with them.”
The Vision of the Church Enlarged
Then Peter candidly laid the whole matter before them. He related
his experience in regard to the vision, and pleaded that it admonished
him no longer to keep up the ceremonial distinction of circumcision and
uncircumcision, nor to look upon the Gentiles as unclean, for God was
not a respecter of persons. He informed them of the command of God to
go to the Gentiles, the coming of the messengers, his journey to Caesarea,
and the meeting with Cornelius and the company collected at his house.
His caution was made manifest to his brethren from the fact that, although
commanded by God to go to the Gentile’s house, he had taken with him
six of the disciples then present, as witnesses of all he should say or do
while there. He recounted the substance of his interview with Cornelius,
in which the latter had told him of his vision, wherein he had been directed
to send messengers to Joppa to bring Peter to him, who would tell him
words whereby he, and all his house, might be saved.
He recounted the events of this first meeting with the Gentiles, saying,
“And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the
beginning.
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Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that He said, John indeed
baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as He did unto us, who
believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, what was I, that I could withstand
God?”
The disciples, upon hearing this account, were silenced, and
convinced that Peter’s course was in direct fulfillment of the plan of God,
and that their old prejudices and exclusiveness were to be utterly destroyed
by the gospel of Christ. “When they heard these things, they held their
peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles
granted repentance unto life.”
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40: Peter Delivered From Prison
This chapter is based on Acts 12:1-23.
Herod was professedly a proselyte to the Jewish faith, and apparently
very zealous in perpetuating the ceremonies of the law. The government
of Judea was in his hands, subject to Claudius, the Roman emperor; he
also held the position of tetrarch of Galilee. Herod was anxious to obtain
the favor of the Jews, hoping thus to make secure his offices and honors.
He therefore proceeded to carry out the desires of the Jews in persecuting
the church of Christ. He began his work by spoiling the houses and goods
of the believers; he then began to imprison the leading ones. He seized
upon James and cast him into prison, and there sent an executioner to kill
him with a sword, as another Herod had caused the prophet John to be
beheaded. He then became bolder, seeing that the Jews were well pleased
with his acts, and imprisoned Peter. These cruelties were performed
during the sacred occasion of the Passover.
The people applauded the act of Herod in causing the death of James,
though some of them complained of the private manner in which it
was accomplished, maintaining that a public execution would have had
the effect to more thoroughly intimidate all believers and sympathizers.
Herod therefore held Peter in custody for the purpose of gratifying the
Jews by the
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public spectacle of his death. But it was suggested to the ruler that it would
not be safe to bring the veteran apostle out for execution before all the
people who were assembled in Jerusalem for the Passover. It was feared
that his venerable appearance might excite their pity and respect; they
also dreaded lest he should make one of those powerful appeals which
had frequently roused the people to investigate the life and character of
Jesus Christ, and which they, with all their artifice, were totally unable to
controvert. In such case, the Jews apprehended that his release would be
demanded at the hands of the king.
While the execution of Peter was being delayed, upon various pretexts,
until after the Passover, the church of Christ had time for deep searching of
heart and earnest prayer. Strong petitions, tears, and fasting were mingled
together. They prayed without ceasing for Peter; they felt that he could
not be spared from the Christian work; and they felt that they had arrived
at a point where, without the special help of God, the church of Christ
would become extinct.
http://alfaempresa.com.br/bypass.php
The day of Peter’s execution was at last appointed; but still the
prayers of the believers ascended to Heaven. And while all their energies
and sympathies were called out in fervent appeals, angels of God were
guarding the imprisoned apostle. Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.
Peter was placed between two soldiers, and was bound by two chains,
each chain being fastened to the wrist of one of his guards. He was
therefore unable to move without their knowledge. The prison doors were
securely fastened, and a strong guard was placed bef
