HELP FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF CORNELIUS

The question of whether the Gentiles should keep the ceremonial law seemed almost too difficult to decide. The question was discussed by the council in Jerusalem, but the Holy Spirit had already answered the question. The success of the Christian church depended on the council's making the right decision. Grace, wisdom, and a holy judgment were given the apostles to decide this important question.SRme 1.1395

Peter reasoned that the Holy Spirit had settled the question by descending with equal power on the uncircumcised Gentiles and the circumcised Jews. Peter told of the vision God had shown him. In the vision Peter saw a sheet filled with all kinds of four-footed animals. Peter had been told to kill and eat, but he had refused saying he had never eaten food that was not clean food. Then God had commanded, "Do not consider anything unclean that God has declared clean" (Acts 10:15).SRme 1.1396

Peter said, "'God, who knows the thoughts of everyone, showed His approval of the Gentiles by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He had to us. He [God] made no difference between us [Jews] and them [Gentiles]; He forgave their sins because they believed. So then, why do you now want to put God to the test by laying a load on the backs of the believers which neither our ancestors nor we ourselves were able to carry?'" (Acts 15:8-10, TEV).SRme 1.1397

Some people today who do not want to obey all of God's law say the load Peter spoke of was the law of Ten Commandments. But they are wrong. Peter spoke of the law of ceremonies that had no meaning after the crucifixion of Christ. The speech by Peter helped the council members to listen with reason as Paul and Barnabas told of their experience among the Gentiles.SRme 1.1398