Saturday 19 July 2025
When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, “Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.” (v. 18)
Background
In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke includes two stories more than once but in slightly different ways. One is the story of the conversion of St Paul. The other is that of Peter’s vision. The latter, our story today, also appears in the previous chapter. The fact that these stories are repeated shows how important they were in Luke’s accounts of the expansion of the fledgling church. Limited for space because only so much could be written on a scroll, he would not have devoted so much space to this story had it not been central to the whole message he wanted to convey.
In today’s reading, Peter tells the Jewish believers back in Jerusalem about his experiences in Joppa and Caesarea because they were scandalised by what they heard, and he needed to share the facts with them. It was significant that he had other disciples with him as witnesses to the amazing events in Cornelius’ house, where everyone had received the Holy Spirit part way through the teaching Peter was giving them and before they could make any statement of faith or ask for baptism. (Acts 10:44-48)
What upset the Jewish believers in Jerusalem was that Peter had baptised Gentiles without any suggestion of them being circumcised as part of the process.
The debate about circumcision in the Early Church was one that rumbled on, arising again in chapter 15 in a debate between the Council of believers in Jerusalem and Paul, who also wrote on this subject in some of his letters.
Peter’s gradual realisation that Gentiles could be welcomed and accepted as they were, had come about step by step through his vision of Jesus, the Roman centurion Cornelius’ sincerity, and the Holy Spirit’s intervention. (Acts 10)
This was a major shift in his understanding, and presumably also of those who were witnesses with him. However, fluctuating historic and political events, social pressures, and other factors meant that including non-circumcised people in Christianity continued to be contested repeatedly, in different ways and in different contexts.
To Ponder:
- Can you think of changes in society or in church life which have been debated and contested repeatedly over a long period?
- What do you think have been key moments of transformation in society or at church, when boundaries have been bridged or even shattered?
Prayer
We praise God for moments when the light of Christ has shone in our life this week, whether in our reading of the Bible or in our encounters with others. We ask forgiveness for anything that has obscured that light. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Pamela Cram
Pam worked in several circuits and ecumenical posts in Wales before retiring in the Swansea Valley, where she is involved in a non-denominational community project; a church partnership with a Welsh independent church; and action for Fairtrade.