“But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem, the Jewish believers criticized him.”
Acts 11:2 (NLT)
After Peter returned to Jerusalem, the news had already reached the apostles and believers in Judea: Gentiles had received the word of God. Praise the Lord—what Jesus said in Acts 1:8 is happening right in front of them. The message has gone beyond Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. God is giving new life to people far away from the good news.
But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem, the first response from Jewish believers wasn’t gratitude or praise—it was criticism. They contended with him and said, “You entered the home of Gentiles and you even ate with them.” That spirit still shows up today: focus on rules, rooted in pride, where we critique what God is doing instead of celebrating it.
What struck me is how broad Jesus’ instruction to Peter really was: “Feed my sheep.” Peter didn’t fully know who God’s sheep were until Cornelius and his household received the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit falling on Gentiles—evidenced by speaking in tongues—is what finally helped these believers move Jewish law and customs out of the number-one place. God loved the Gentiles too, and the church was called to love them all the way into their homes and at their tables.
And I see the warning for my own heart: we often want to begin with teaching when Jesus calls us to begin with love. If we will obey John 13:34–35 and love like Jesus loved, people will come asking for the message—like Cornelius sent for Peter. Lord, help us get the order right: love first, then teach when we are asked. Change our minds and hearts so we can witness through unity, care, and affection—and then share the Word from that place.
As Christians our job is to love the Lord with all our heart and to love others as ourselves. If we do that everything else will take care of itself.
Amen KC!