22 April 2024
Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, saying, ‘Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?’
From Acts 11:1-18, NRSV
In today’s reading we hear for the first time that Gentiles had become followers of Jesus. We might think this should have been a cause for celebration, yet when Peter returned to Jerusalem, he was challenged by some members of the church. This early community saw Christianity as the continuation and fulfilment of Judaism. It took some time for them to work out which of the rules and traditions of Judaism still needed to be followed. Understandably, those who had previously been devout Jews naturally still had great regard for the Jewish law. Peter’s lengthy and amusing response shows some understanding of his audience. He does not belittle their stance but helps them to see that the same Spirit which they had received at Pentecost was present with the Gentiles he had eaten with. At the end of the reading, we are told that Peter’s account of events satisfied the community and that they had come to understand that God’s call extended to the Gentiles.
- Why was it important for Peter to answer the criticism laid against him?
- What causes suspicion between different groups of Christians and how might this be overcome?
Read and reflect on the reading from which the extract above has been selected.
