Return to Jerusalem: Believers' Meeting P/1

   

                                      

                             A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                             PART XI-I

"It is time for me, Peter, to return to Jerusalem.... I have been away for quite a while... During that time I have been visiting places such as Lydda and Joppa.... While there I stayed with my good friend Simon the Tanner...One day I was praying asking the Lord whether I should go back to Jerusalem... But God made it clear at that time that I was not yet to return there... Instead, I was to go to a place called Caesarea...Once I got there I was to go to the home of a Gentile, a Roman Centurion.... His name is Cornelius.... I had never before entered the home of a Gentile... For we Jews considered Gentiles unclean...However, God showed me that He accepted them... And I should accept them as well... So I obeyed and went to Caesarea... While at the home of Cornelius I preached the gospel...They all believed... And they were all baptised with the Holy Spirit....I wonder if my friends in Jerusalem know that I have done the unthinkable... That I have entered the home of a Gentile."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn of Peter's return to Jerusalem...

                         ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                               PART XI - I

A new chapter in the life of the Church had begun because Gentile believers had been added to the Church. That was in fulfilment of Jesus' words to his Apostles before He was taken up into heaven as you can read in Acts 1:8

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

They had been preaching in Jerusalem, Judea and even Samaria but they had not yet gone out to preach to the "ends of the earth." That is what began to happen that day in the home of Cornelius.

The question is: Was the Church prepared for this new chapter? And the answer is: No, the Church was not quite ready for this new chapter as you can know from Acts 11:1-3

The Apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticised him and said, "You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them."

The Jewish believers had heard news about Peter. Rumours were going around that Peter had entered the home of a Gentile and had eaten with him. They could not believe that Peter would do such a thing, especially because he was one of the Apostles. who were to be examples to the other Jewish believers. And they all knew that as a God-fearing Jew you remain separate from Gentiles in order to be pleasing to God. But then Peter had supposedly gone into the home of a Gentile.It could be that this was just a story that had been fabricated to make Peter look bad in their eyes. Deep in their hearts that is what they were hoping for. Be that as it may, they needed to know the truth. So when Peter came back to Jerusalem, the Jewish believers decided they should organise a meeting to ask him about what had happened.

Read Part Two HERE

A Mission to Lydda and beyond: Peter P/7

 

                                                                                   Read Part One HERE

A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                        PART  X - VI

"I, Peter, and some of my fellow believers from Joppa had another amazing day today.... As expected, we arrived in Caesarea at lunchtime... We then went straight to the home of Cornelius.... He is a deligthful man... So humble and kind... He even wanted to fall at my feet... But I prevented him from doing so... After all, I am only a frail human being as I know from experience... Cornelius then shared the details of his vision with us...After he had done so, he asked me to share with him and those with him what the Lord had put on my heart....So I began to preach the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ with them...Everyone listened intently... It was clear that their hearts were being touched... For they learned that Jesus had died for their sins... So they could be forgiven and become children of God...While I was still preaching, something unusual happened.... For these men and women began to speak in tongues... And they began to praise God....God poured out His Spirit on them.... Just as He had done on us on the Day of Pentecost... Do you now understand why today was such an amazing day for me?".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn of Peter's discovery that God loves all people and wants all people to come to Him....

                    ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                        PART X - VI

Having heard Cornelius' vision, Peter began to preach the gospel to Cornelius and those with him as you can read in Acts 10:34-35

Then Peter began to speak, "I now realise how true it is that God does not show favourtism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right."

He explained to them the facts about the Lord Jesus' death and resurrection as you can read in Acts 10:37-40

"You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached - how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil because God was with Him. We are witnesses of everything He did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed Him by hanging Him on a tree, but God raised Him from the dead and caused Him to be seen."

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came upon the people present, as you can read in Acts 10:44-47

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptised with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have."

As Peter was preaching the gospel to Cornelius and those he had invited, the Lord baptised the people with the Holy Spirit. The reason the Jewish believers could recognise that this was so because the evidence was the same as it had been for them on the Day of Pentecost: The people there began to speak in tongues and praise God. These people obviously believed the gospel message as it had been presented to them by Peter. At that moment they were born again and the Lord then baptised them with the Holy Spirit to empower them for the task that He had for them. 

What an amazing day it was, not just in the life of Cornelius and those with him. No, it was an amazing day in the lives of Peter and the other Jewish believers with him as well. In fact, it was an amazing day in the life of the Church for it started a new chapter in the life of the Church. The question is: Was the Church prepared for that new chapter?

A Mission to Lydda and Beyond: Peter P/6

   

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                    PART X - V

"I, Peter,  waited  for my friend Simon the Tanner to return home... I then spoke to him.... I needed to prepare him for the unexpected visitors from Caesarea....He very kindly allowed them to stay at his home for the night... It is now early in the morning.... Time to get up... To be honest, I have hardly slept all night... So much has happened in just a few hours... Just a few hours ago I believed that as a good Jew I should not communicate with Gentiles.... But I no longer believe that... I am amazed myself at the change in my thinking... Only God could have made that possible... Anyway, we should get ready soon... For after breakfast, I and my three guests will begin our journey to Caesarea.... I believe some believers from Joppa will join us.... I expect us to arrive in Caesarea by lunch time tomorrow.... Once there we will go straight to the home of Cornelius..... For he is the reason we are going to Caesarea....It will be good to hear from him the details of his vision.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn of Peter's historic visit to Caesarea....

 

                    ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS 

                                                         PART X - V

The next morning Peter and some other Jewish believers from Joppa set out for Caesarea with the men from Cornelius' household as you can read in Acts 10:23b

The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along.

When they got there, a large gathering of people was waiting for them as you can read in Acts 10:24-27

The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself." Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.

Cornelius then shared with Peter his vison as you can read in Acts 10:30-33

Cornelius answered, "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, "Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the house of Simon the Tanner and lives by the sea." So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us."

Having heard the details of Cornelius' vision, Peter knew it was time to share the gospel with him and those with him.

Read Part Seven HERE

A Mission to Lydda and Beyond: Peter P/5

   

                                                                                   Read Part One HERE

A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                     PART X - IV

"I, Peter, was still thinking about the vision I knew to be from God....I then heard some voices outside the gate of my friend's home....They were calling for me!!.... Who could these people be?.... The Holy Spirit then spoke to me...He told me He had sent these people.... And I should receive them...I went downstairs to check on them.... I saw three men outside the gate....It looked like they had been travelling... For they look tired...They told me they had come from Caesarea....That is about a day's travel... They told me as well who had sent them... A man named Cornelius had sent them....I wondered why he had sent them to me... After all he is a Gentile and I am a Jew....Does he not know that Jews do not communicate with Gentiles?.... For we consider Gentiles unclean....But these men then told me an angel had visited Cornelius... And he had instructed him to send some men to Joppa.... And for them to look for me.... I am go to back with them.....It became clear I should welcome these men into the home of my friend...So I did... We will leave tomorrow for Caesarea.... Who could have thought that I, Peter, a Jew, would be called to preach to Gentiles?... I am just very grateful to God that He is very patient with me... So I can learn to see things from His perspective.".....Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn of the time that Peter discovered that God loves all people, regardless of their nationality, status in life or gender....

                         ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                        PART X - IV 

As Peter was wondering about his vision, he heard some voices outside the gate of the house of his friend Simon as you can read in Acts 0:17-18

While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. They called out asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

Then the Holy Spirit spoke to Peter and told him to receive these men for He had sent them as you can read in Acts 10:19-20

While Peter was still thinking about the vision the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them."

So Peter went downstairs, opened the gate and in front of him stood some men. Peter told them he was the person they were looking for and asked them why they wanted to see him. They then explained who they were and who had sent them as you can read in Acts 10:21-22 

Peter went down and said to the men, "I'm the one you are looking for. Why have you come?" The men replied, "We have come from Cornelius the Centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to the house so that he could hear what you have to say."

Peter then understood that his vision from heaven had, in fact, nothing to do with so-called clean and unclean animals but that was related to so-called clean and unclean people, or Jews and Gentiles. For, according to Jewish belief, they were the clean people in the world and Gentiles were the unclean people with whom they could not communicate and whose homes they could not enter.But here in front of him were some Gentiles. And the Holy Spirit had told him he should receive them.Moreover, God had already told him that he should not call anything impure that God considered clean. Therefore, in God's eyes these men were acceptable. And, likewise, Peter should accept them. So he received these men into the home of his friend Simon the Tanner as you can read in Acts 10:23a

Then Peter invited the men into his house to be his guests.

This truly was a new day and was in fulfillment of what Jesus had told them they were to do according to Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

These Jewish believers had just taken some time to be obedient to the words of Jesus for the church had been in existence for quite a while by now. The Lord must have decided He better do something about them going to the Gentiles, for if He left it to them, it might never happen.

Cornelius' men stayed overnight at the home of Simon the Tanner ready to go back to Caesarea the next morning. That night Peter would have had little sleep. He would have been thinking about what had happened that day. A great transformation had taken place in his heart and mind. In the morning he had been like any other good Jew: he had believed that in order to please God he should remain separate from Gentiles. But by the evening God has so changed his thinking that he knew he should receive them as brothers in the Lord.

Read Part Six HERE

                      

A Mission to Lydda and Beyond: Peter P/4

    

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                     PART X - III

"Have you ever had a vision?.... I, Peter, had one this afternoon... And I am very puzzled about he meaning of it... As you know I am staying at the home of my friend Simon the Tanner... He lives in Joppa.... Around midday I went to the roof of his house... I went there to pray.... While praying I realised I was hungry.... So I asked the servant to prepare some food for me.... I then continued praying... Suddenly I saw a vision... It was a very unusual one... I saw a large sheet coming down from heaven... It contained all kinds of animals.... A Voice told me to kill and eat one of these animals... That was a very tantalizing offer... For I was very hungry... I was about to choose an animal... But I then realised that I had to say "No" to that offer....For there were "unclean" animals in that sheet.... And as a good Jew, I could not eat them.... The same Voice then spoke to me again... He told me not to call anything unclean that God has made clean.... This happened three times... Then the sheet went back up into heaven....I am completely mystified by the experience.... What can it mean?"... Please read the typed out attachment to learn of Peter's experience at the roof top of his friend's home....

 

                       ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS 

                                                            PART X - III

The next day, when the men who had been sent by Cornelius neared the city of Joppa, Peter was at the rooftop of the house of his friend Simon the Tanner praying as you can read in Acts 10:9

About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.

It was lunchtime. Peter was getting hungry so he asked for someone to prepare a meal for him. While he was praying God sent him a vision. The vision that God sent Peter was very different from the vision God had sent to Cornelius. For the visiton that God sent to Peter was that of a sheet coming down from heaven. And that sheet contained al kinds of animals. What a mouth watering invitation for Peter since he was so hungry. We would expect Peter to be very glad and ready to eat because a Voice even told him, "Peter, kill and eat" as you can read in Acts 10:10-13

He became hungry and wanted something to ear, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a Voice told him, "Get up, Peter, kill and eat."

Peter looked at all these animals expectantly thinking which animal he would choose. But then his face changed when he checked these animals out for he realised he could not eat all of them. So he said, "No," to this tantalizing offer. Why would he say "No" to this offer from heaven? Because that sheet contained so-called clean as well as unclean animals, at least for Jewish people, since according to their dietary laws they were not allowed to eat every animal as you can read in Acts 10:14

"Surely not, Lord," Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."

Peter was confused. Why would God send him a sheet with these animals knowing full well that he was not allowed to eat all of them? God, knowing Peter's thoughts. spoke again as you can read in Acts 10:15-16

The Voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

Peter was totally mystified by his experience. Did God not know that he had always lived as a good Jew? And as a good Jew, even a hungry good Jew, he was most certainly not going to eat certain animals for that would make him unholy.        

Read Part Five HERE                                         

A Mission to Lydda and Beyond: Peter P/3

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                      PART X - II 

"I, Cornelius, was so overwhelmed by the visit of the angel that I just sat in my chair pondering what had happened... I kept thinking about the fact that the angel had called me by my name!!... That can only mean one thing.... God knows me.... But I am not one of His chosen people... How amazing is that... I then remembered that I am supposed to send some men to Joppa... They are to go there to find a man named Peter....So I got up from my chair... And selected some trusted men... I told them where they were to go.. And what they were to do while there... They have just left for Joppa... I expect they will be back in a day or two... That gives me time to prepare for Peter's visit... I must gather all my family and friends....So we can all hear the message that, no doubt,  Peter will bring us....Isn't God good that He even cares for a Roman Centurion like me?... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Cornelius instructed some trusted men to go to Joppa....

                 ATTACHMENT A WLK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                           PART X - II

After the angel had given Cornelius the message, he went back to heaven and the vision ended. Cornelius sat in his chair, amazed by what he had just experienced for he realised that God knew him by name and that God cared for him. He knew too that he had been given a task: he had to send some men to Joppa so he called for some of his most trusted men and told them to prepare and go to Joppa as soon as they were ready. And when they got to Joppa they were to go to the house of a man namd Simon the Tanner and ask for his guest Peter. And they were to make sure that Peter would return with them for Peter would have a message from the Lord for them as you can read in Acts 10:7-8

When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.

 And so these men set off for Joppa. 

Read Part Four HERE

                  

A MIssion to Lydda and Beyond: Peter P/2

   

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                         PART X - 1

"As you may remember, I, Peter, was in Joppa where I stayed with my friend Simon the Tanner.... I thought my reason for being there was simply to encourage the Jewish believers... However, I soon found out that God had other things in mind.... I was not at all prepared for these things... They were related to a man named Cornelius... He lived in Caesarea.... I did not know about this man... But God knew about him...And God sent an angel to him... "Yes, earlier this afternoon, I, Cornelius, had my usual prayer time.... Now I am a Roman Centurion.... But I follow the Jewish practices.... That is why every afternoon I pray at 3 pm as I did today....However as I prayed this afternnon something very unusual happened... I had a vision.... And in this vision an angel appeared.... And he spoke to me... He called me by my name...I barely managed to speak to the angel... I was so overcome by his visit...He told me to send some men to Joppa... The are to bring back a man named Peter....The angel then went back up to heaven.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn of the angel's visit to Cornelius....

            

                           ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                                     PART X - I

Peter had not yet returned to Jerusalem but was still in Joppa where he stayed at the home of a believer named Simon the Tanner as you can read in Acts 9:43

Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

In another city, Caesarea, live a man named Cornelius as you can read in Acts 10:1-2

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing, he gave generously to those in need, and prayed to God regularly.

This man was a centurion in the Roman army, and he followed the Jewish religious practices by praying to the Jewish God and giving to the poor. God heard his prayers and saw his kindness towards the ppor and God was pleased. But God know that Cornelius was in need of hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ in order to be saved. So God sent him an angel. That day Cornelius was doing what he regularly did; he took time out to pray. He would sit in his special chair and he would pray to God. But that day was special for on that day God sent him an angel in a vision. When Cornelius saw that angel, he first thought that he had a dream. But then the angel spoke to him. So he knew the angel was real. And the angel called him by his name, "Cornelius." Then the angel continued to talk to him telling him to select some of his men and to send them to a place called Joppa where they had to go to the house of a man named Simon the Tanner for Simon had a visitor from Jerusalem, a man named Peter. And they were to ask Peter to return with them to Caesarea as you can read in Acts 10:3-6

One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw a angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius." Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the Tanner, whose house is by the sea."

When Cornelius got up that morning he had no idea what would be awaiting him that day.

Read Part Three HERE

 

A Mission to Lydda and Beyond: Peter P/1

 

A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                     PART IX - VII

"Yes, I, Peter and the other Apostles, met with Saul when he came to Jersualem... And I realised that he had become a changed man... Praise God!!... I then began to travel... For I wanted to encourage the believers in other places.... One of the places I visited was Lydda.... While there I met a man named Aeneas.... The Lord healed him.... I was then visited by two believers from Joppa... They were very distressed... One of the women, who had been of such help to the believers, had died... They urged me to go back with them to Joppa... For they believed that the Lord would bring her back to life.... So I did go with them... And the Lord did raise her up from the dead.... Isn't He good?.... I decided to stay for a while in Joppa with my fellow believer Simon the Tanner....So I can continue to minister among the believers in this city.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn about Peter's travels....

                  ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                      PART IX - VII

Peter left Jerusalem and began to travel about the country as you can read in Acts 9:32

As Peter travelled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda.

While he was in Lydda, he met a paralytic named Aeneas and healed him as you can read in Acts 9:34

"Aeneas," Peter said, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat. Immediately, Aeneas got up.

His healing became known and caused many people to turn to Christ.

In a city near  Lydda called Joppa lived a disciple named Tabitha or Dorcas. She was known among the believers, especially the widows, for her care for them. However, she became ill and died so some of the believers went to Peter asking him to come back with them to Joppa. When Peter arrived in Joppa he met with the believers who showed him all the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made for them. Peter then entered the room where they had laid her body as you can read in Acts 9:40

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the women he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes and seeing Peter she sat up.

The believers were overjoyed that Dorcas had been returned to them. Moreover, the news that she had been raised from the dead became known all over Joppa and, because of it, many more people came to faith in Jesus Christ.

Read Part Two HERE

A Mission to Damascus : Saul P/6

                                               Read Part One HERE

                                               A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                                  PART IX - VI 

"As I , Saul, was resting and praying in the home of Judas on Straight Street, a believer named Ananias came to see me.... He knew that not too long ago I had been the great persecutor of the Church in Jerusalem..And I  had come to Damascus to take people like himself back to Jerusalem... My plan had been to have them thrown into prison.....But the Lord had appeared to Ananias... And He had shown him that I had changed.... I had become a follower of the Lord Jesus instead of being a persecutor....After Ananias came, he prayed for me.... That same moment I could again see... And I was filled with the power of God....I did not waste time...Once I was healed I began to visit synagogues.... While there I began to teach my fellow Jews that Jesus is indeed the Son of God....Sadly, many of my fellow men could not accept my words.... And I could not really blame them... After all, not too long ago I thought exactly as they did....Unfortunately, it became too dangerous for me to stay in Damascus....So I left and travelled to Jerusalem....However, the believers there were very weary of me... And that was very understandable....But I thank God that Barnabas believed me... And he took me under his wings.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Saul's comversion brought great change into his life....

                        ATTACHMENT  A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                                    PART IX - VI

Saul's conversion was very real as we can see from the fact that he soon began to share the Good News of Jesus wherever he went. as you can read in Acts 9:20

At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

To begin with it was difficult for the believers to accept that Saul had become a genuine follower of Jesus Christ. After all, he had been the very one who had been persecuting them. However, over time, there were those who recognised his change was real and as a consequence, he, who had been the persecutor of the Church, became the one who was being persecuted as you can read in Acts 9:23-25

After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him. But Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

In due course, he arrived in Jerusalem and there too the believers were afraid of him. But one of the believers, a man named Barnaba introduced him to the Apostles as you can read in Acts 9:27

But Barnabas took him and brought him to the Apostles.

Eventually they in turn sent him on to Caesarea and from there on to Tarsus. Saul's  conversion had a great effect upon the Church for it enabled the Church to enjoy a time of peace when many more men and women were added to the Church as you can read in Acts 9:31

Then the Church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strenghtened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

It was a powerful time for the Church.