SCRIPTURE - Gospels, Acts, First and Second Peter.

Born Simon the son of Jonas, he was a native of Bethsaida in Galilee. He was married and lived with his mother-in-law at Capernaum at the time he was called by the Lord. He was a fisherman, fishing with his father and his brother Andrew when Jesus found him. Together with James and John, Peter formed a group of three disciples who appeared to have a closer relationship with Jesus, as they appeared with Him at the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13), and in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46). Peter was the leader of the disciples and often spoke without fully considering the situation. It was Peter who walked on the sea at Galilee (Matthew 14:22-32) before his faith collapsed.

He also was the one who was commended by Jesus for recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. Peter was disappointed that Jesus was not going to set up a temporal kingdom as the final act of His ministry (Mark 8:32,33). Saying that he would die rather than desert Jesus, he failed miserably later that day and denied Him three times. After Pentecost, Peter was a changed man, preaching boldly about Jesus Christ (Acts 2:14-40). He had, however, to learn that the Gentiles were also subject to the promise of Abraham and that the Mosaic law had been fulfilled at the cross (Matthew 5:17; Acts 11:6-9). Herod imprisoned him but he was released by an angel. Paul admonished Peter regarding his superficial relationship with the Gentiles but Peter eventually commended Paul's writings for the mature believer (2 Peter 3:15,16). Peter then disappears from the scripture but it is said that he was crucified upside down as a martyr.

EVALUATION: Acts 11:1-16

a) Peter is in Jerusalem for a meeting of church leaders (verse 1).

b) News of the Gentile Pentecost was received (verse 1).

c) Opposition is received from legalists (verse 2).

d) This brought criticism of Peter (verse 3).

e) Peter begins to think back on the Gentile Pentecost (verse 4), bringing out the factors which led Peter to go to Cornelius' house.

f) Peter is given guidance through prayer (verse 5).

g) He is given guidance through pondering the meaning of the animals he saw (verse 6).

h) Peter is informed by God that there had been a change as far as eating of previously unclean animals was concerned (verses 7-10).

i) He is guided by coincidence or providential circumstances by the arrival of three men from Caesarea (verse 11). God opened doors for Peter.

j) The Holy Spirit confirms that he should go to Caesarea (verse 12).

k) When he met Cornelius he compared experiences with him (verses 13-15).

l) Peter is guided also by remembering Scripture (verse 16).

a) God's will for Peter depended on his being aware of:

i) Viewpoint will of God - what does He want me to think (Mark 8:33).

ii) Operational will of God - what does He want me to do (Acts 10:20).

iii) Geographical will of God - where does He want me to go (John 21:18).

b) Peter's attitude and maturity also played a part:

i) His knowledge of the scriptures (Psalm 32:8; Proverbs 3:1-6).

ii) The filling of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:13; 12:1,2).

iii) Maturity (2 Peter 3:18).

c) God will not force His own will on the believer but desires to give guidance to His children (Hebrews 3:7).

d) Guidance is given nowadays through the Bible (1 Corinthians 13:10).

e) Many items of guidance are clearly set out in the Scriptures, e.g. do not marry an unbeliever (2 Corinthians 6:14).

f) The correct following of guidance gives blessing to others as well as the one who is guided.