Atos 11

Atos 11

Spurgeon reminds us that "Behold is a word of wonder; it is intended to excite admiration. Wherever you see it hung out in Scripture, it is like an ancient sign-board, signifying that there are rich wares within, or like the hands which solid readers have observed in the margin of the older Puritanic books, drawing attention to something particularly worthy of observation." I would add, behold is like a divine highlighter, a divine underlining of an especially striking or important text. It says in effect "Listen up, all ye who would be wise in the ways of Jehovah!" At that moment - The moment Peter heard the voice from heaven the third time and the sheet went back into the sky. Three men appeared at the house in which we were staying - If you doubt that God is IN CONTROL, then you are missing the perfect providential precision of Peter's hearing 3 times and at that same moment three Gentile men appearing at the front door of a Jewish house! THOUGHT - Beloved, whatever you are wrestling with, you can rest in the absolute truth that God is absolutely in control! Circumstances may suggest otherwise, but God is Lord over circumstances! The word "providence" (pronoia) is found only once in the Bible, a usage which refers to human providence (Acts 24:2), and yet Divine Providence permeates the pages of Holy Writ from Genesis to Revelation! This great truth ought to cause all of God's children to shout "Hallelujah! Our God Reigns!" Amen. Indeed a healthy understanding of God's providences should produce praise from His people, for as John Piper rightly said "In all the setbacks of your life as a believer, God is plotting for your joy." The Master is providentially interweaving the seemingly disconnected strands of circumstances and life events in a way that is often (usually) difficult for us to perceive, but all of which are providentially perfect in the Master's sovereign hand and His perfect plan! (cp Ro 8:28, Ge 50:20). Our spirits are most satisfied when we discern God's aim in everything. Having been sent to me from Caesarea - Here of course is the other part of the providential puzzle, for this simultaneous supernatural vision given to a Gentile some thirty miles away integrates perfectly with the supernatural vision to a Jewish man on a roof. This should put to rest any doubts you have that God is behind the circumstances and controls the circumstances He is behind! Case closed! See commentary on Acts 10:17, noting that in Acts 11 he does not relate that he was greatly perplexed (diaporeo) (nor any of the details in red below). He does not mention Cornelius. Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions for Simon’s house, appeared at the gate; (Acts 10:17) Related Resources: What is divine providence? What is the all-seeing eye? Is it true that everything happens for a reason? What does the Bible say about fate / destiny? Do the ends justify the means? What does the Bible say about luck? Acts 11:12 "The Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings. These six brethren also went with me and we entered the man's house. KJV Acts 11:12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: NLT Acts 11:12 The Holy Spirit told me to go with them and not to worry that they were Gentiles. These six brothers here accompanied me, and we soon entered the home of the man who had sent for us. the Spirit Acts 8:29; 10:19,20; 13:2,4; 15:7; 16:6,7; John 16:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; Revelation 22:17 these Acts 10:23,45 THE SPIRIT CLEARLY SPOKE AND SIX CORROBORATING WITNESSES WENT The Church began with the Spirit's falling and here is kept on track by the Spirit's guidance. The times have changed, but God's method has not changed. Sadly , the Spirit is shunned by many evangelical, reformed churches today for fear of "charismatic chaos." The proper balance is Spirit filled leaders attuned to the Holy Spirit through the Holy Word. Does your church trust in the Spirit's leadership of Spirit filled men? See discussion of what the Bible says about A Spirit Filled Church. The Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings - NLT paraphrases it "not to worry that they were Gentiles." The ESV may be a better translation than the NAS for it has "making no distinctions." This highlights the idea that Jews were not to make distinctions with non-Jews.The sense of misgiving is a little "softer" (so to speak) because it means to have no uneasiness about the fitness of the action. This Jewish-Gentile barrier is more that about having uneasiness but about making out and out distinctions. As an added note, it is surprising that in the previous chapter diakrino is translated in the ESV as without hesitation (Acts 10:20ESV), for reasons that are not clear. In any event I prefer the more direct, stronger translation of "making no distinctions." See commentary on Acts 10:19-20 which is similar but Peter does not repeat the phrases in red... While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. “But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” (Acts 10:19-20) John