What is the theme of this chapter?
A change in program.
What is the key verse(s) of this chapter? Verses 44-45
While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.
What can I apply to my life from this chapter (things to do/avoid)?
I need to remember that God is no respecter of persons, that in His eyes all are the same — all are imprisoned under sin and need a savior. I need to see people as He sees them, never showing favorites.
Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith (Gal 3:21-26).
Additional observations/questions:
Stam's explanation as to why the Jews did not associate with Gentiles was quite thought-provoking:
"The Israelites were, indeed, denied the 'unclean' meats of which Gentiles freely partook (Lev 20:25). They were also forbidden to make covenants with the Gentiles or to intermarry with them (Deut 7:2-3; Ezra 9:2) and thus a distinct separation was maintained between them, but we know of no explicit injunction prohibiting any association at all with those of other nations, nor even of doing business with them. Indeed, as we have already seen, the Israelites were specifically instructed to deal kindly with Gentiles who had come among them and treat them as those born in their midst (Lev 19:33-34). Certainly Cornelius, a God-fearing man, and living, as he did, in Palestine, was entitled to this sort of treatment as far as Moses' law was concerned. In what sense, then, had it been 'unlawful' for Peter to even visit Gentiles, and why did his fellow apostles call him to account for so doing? ... We believe the key to this problem is to be found in our Lord's first commission to His twelve apostles (Matt 10:1-7). Here the apostles were specifically instructed: 'Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not' (Matt 10:5). While our Lord had as yet sent forth only these twelve, this rule would, of course, apply to any Jew, even though those who were indifferent or antagonistic to His claims would not recognize it. As we know, our Lord Himself also kept aloof from the Gentiles during His earthly ministry. He did help one Gentile man and one Gentile woman, but they came to Him for help, and at least in the latter case He made it very clear that He had not been sent 'but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel' (Matt 15:24). We know that our Lord did not follow this course because of lack of love or pity for the Gentiles, but because He recognized the divine play of covenant and prophecy to send salvation to the Gentiles through redeemed Israel (Gen 22:17-18; Zech 8:13, 23; etc.)."
This certainly explains why the disciples stayed clear of them despite the fact that the OT taught that God is not one to show partiality (Deut 10:17; 2 Chron 19:7).
A change in program.
What is the key verse(s) of this chapter? Verses 44-45
While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.
What can I apply to my life from this chapter (things to do/avoid)?
I need to remember that God is no respecter of persons, that in His eyes all are the same — all are imprisoned under sin and need a savior. I need to see people as He sees them, never showing favorites.
Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith (Gal 3:21-26).
Additional observations/questions:
Stam's explanation as to why the Jews did not associate with Gentiles was quite thought-provoking:
"The Israelites were, indeed, denied the 'unclean' meats of which Gentiles freely partook (Lev 20:25). They were also forbidden to make covenants with the Gentiles or to intermarry with them (Deut 7:2-3; Ezra 9:2) and thus a distinct separation was maintained between them, but we know of no explicit injunction prohibiting any association at all with those of other nations, nor even of doing business with them. Indeed, as we have already seen, the Israelites were specifically instructed to deal kindly with Gentiles who had come among them and treat them as those born in their midst (Lev 19:33-34). Certainly Cornelius, a God-fearing man, and living, as he did, in Palestine, was entitled to this sort of treatment as far as Moses' law was concerned. In what sense, then, had it been 'unlawful' for Peter to even visit Gentiles, and why did his fellow apostles call him to account for so doing? ... We believe the key to this problem is to be found in our Lord's first commission to His twelve apostles (Matt 10:1-7). Here the apostles were specifically instructed: 'Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not' (Matt 10:5). While our Lord had as yet sent forth only these twelve, this rule would, of course, apply to any Jew, even though those who were indifferent or antagonistic to His claims would not recognize it. As we know, our Lord Himself also kept aloof from the Gentiles during His earthly ministry. He did help one Gentile man and one Gentile woman, but they came to Him for help, and at least in the latter case He made it very clear that He had not been sent 'but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel' (Matt 15:24). We know that our Lord did not follow this course because of lack of love or pity for the Gentiles, but because He recognized the divine play of covenant and prophecy to send salvation to the Gentiles through redeemed Israel (Gen 22:17-18; Zech 8:13, 23; etc.)."
This certainly explains why the disciples stayed clear of them despite the fact that the OT taught that God is not one to show partiality (Deut 10:17; 2 Chron 19:7).
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