If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?” When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
- Acts 11:17-18, ESV
When Should We Humbly Submit to Revelation?
For Peter to overcome his own prejudices and preach the Gospel to Gentiles in the home of a Gentile was a major step forward for the Gospel. Obviously, Peter did not come to this point lightly. We could say that God dragged him there through overwhelming direct revelation. Now Peter had to return to Jerusalem and report what God had told him, what he had done and what was the result. To say Peter's actions not well received at first is an understatement.
The members of the "circumcision party," those who believed in observing the Jewish ceremonial law, were shocked and outraged. They "criticized him, saying, 'You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.'" (vv. 2-3) Only after Peter carefully recounted the revelation God had given him and the supernatural work that accompanied his preaching ("the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning") did the circumcision party relent and accept the joyful news that God had indeed granted salvation to the Gentiles.
This raises an interesting question: When should we submit to revelation from God? When should we be open to changing our views and practices based on a word from the Lord? Charismatics and Catholics both make claims to ongoing revelation from God. Charismatics believe it comes through the ongoing gift of prophecy given to certain people. The Roman Catholic Church believes it comes through church councils, like Vatican 2, and sometimes through the Pope, when he speaks "ex cathedra," with the full authority of the apostolic office they believe he holds.
If we examine Peter's report, we will see two things about his revelation from God to the church:
1. It came through someone with authority directly given by Christ. Peter was an apostle, one who had seen the risen Christ and one who was personally commissioned by Christ. This kind of authority cannot be claimed by anyone in the church today.
2. Peter's revelation from God was confirmed by an outward sign witnessed by many. The Holy Spirit was visibly and unmistakably poured out on Cornelius and his household. No one claiming to speak for the Lord today has the same kind of miraculous accompanying signs. Charismatics may claim miracles and gifts of healing, but such claims are often false and are not as verifiable as the sign that accompanied Peter's preaching.
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| Image from Blue Letter Bible |
If I am wrong in what I believe or how I worship, I want to be corrected by Scripture. I want to be shown my error and made right. God has graciously done that for me many times in my life. We should all strive to be open to such biblical correction. But as Luther said, "my conscience is held captive by the word of God" and no church council or charismatic preacher can steer it in a different direction.
Heavenly Father, Your word is truth. Lead us, Your people, into truth, as Your Spirit teaches us through Your word. In Jesus' name for for His glory we ask, Amen.
Prayer Based on Proverbs 14:19-27:
The evil bow down before the good,
the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
Heavenly Father, we seldom see this truth in this world,
but it often seems like the wicked are prospering and the righteous are trampled.
Give us the faith to trust in Your eternal plan,
beyond what we can see.
The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
but the rich has many friends.
Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner,
but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
Lord, in this world, it is the rich who have "friends,"
but their friends love their money more than them.
Give us generous hearts to love our neighbors,
and generous hands to meet the needs of the poor.
Do they not go astray who devise evil?
Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.
Lord, we do not want to go astray, but we need You to guard us from evil,
and guide us with Your Holy Spirit to devise only what is good,
In all toil there is profit,
but mere talk tends only to poverty.
The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but the folly of fools brings folly.
Father, the world encourages and celebrates laziness,
but we are called to work and seek wisdom.
Give us both wisdom and diligence,
so that we may abound in the wealth that matters,
spiritual fruit that brings Your glory!
A truthful witness saves lives,
but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.
Lord, keep our lips from speaking lies,
whether out of flattery or self-preservation.
Let us speak only the truth, in Your love.
In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,
and his children will have a refuge.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
that one may turn away from the snares of death.
Father, our hearts need to be guided by the fear of the Lord,
that we may live in reverence and holiness,
walking in grace-empowered obedience and giving life to our families and neighbors.
Lord, hear our prayer, in Jesus' name, Amen.
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