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And they held their peace and glorified God

Text: Acts 11
30 November 2008

(I) AN IMPORTANT HISTORICAL CONTEXT

1. The apostle Peter given a special commission to minister to Gentiles

a) By a vision ( Acts 10:9-18 )

b) By a direct word from the Holy Spirit ( Acts 10:19 )

2. An effective ministry in the home of Cornelius

a) Preaching of the Gospel

b) Faith in the Lord Jesus

c) Special manifestation of the Spirit of God as on the Day of Pentecost ( Acts 10:44-46 )

d) Baptism given to Cornelius and family ( Acts 10:48 )

(II) QUERY OF THE JERUSALEM CHURCH

1. Apostles and elders (Acts 11:1)

2. Those of the circumcision (strict Jewish-Christians) (Acts 11:2)

(III) PETER’S DEFENCE I

1. A Vision from Heaven (Acts 11:5-8)

2. A Voice from Heaven (Acts 11:9)

3. A word from the Holy Spirit (Acts 11:12)

4. The manifestation of the Spirit while Peter was speaking (Acts 11:15)

(IV) PETER’S DEFENCE II

1. Remembering the word of the Lord

The baptism of the Holy Spirit ( Acts 11:16 )

2. God had obviously given the Gentiles the same Holy Spirit

God’s sovereign prerogative!

3. Nobody can withstand God’s exercise of His prerogative

“…who was I that I could withstand God?” Acts 11:17

(V) CORRECT CONCLUSION

“When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, ‘Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” Acts 11:18

1. Concluding after hearing all the facts

2. Concluding that Peter was right

3. Concluding that God had signaled to them that Gentiles have been included in His plan of salvation

4. Glorifying God

a) For the tremendous grace bestowed to the Gentiles

b) Glorifying God with a great sense of awe

c) Glorifying God with an even deeper understanding of His workings among the Gentiles