Peter And The Apostles Obeyed
Yahweh Rather Than Men
Acts 5:17-42 reads,
5:17But
the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of
the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy, 5:18and laid hands on the apostles, and put
them in public custody. 5:19But
an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and brought them out,
and said, 5:20"Go stand and
speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life."
5:21When
they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught.
But the high priest came, and those who were with him, and called the council
together, and all the senate of the children of
5:24Now
when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard
these words, they were very perplexed about them and what might become of this.
5:25One came and told them,
"Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and
teaching the people." 5:26Then
the captain went with the officers, and brought them without violence, for they
were afraid that the people might stone them.
5:27When
they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest
questioned them, 5:28saying, "Didn’t
we strictly charge you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled
5:29But
Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.
5:30The God of our fathers raised up
Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree. 5:31God
exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance
to
5:33But
they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and determined to kill them.
5:34But one stood up in the council,
a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and
commanded to take the apostles out a little while. 5:35He said to them, "You men of
5:40They
agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and charged them not
to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 5:41They
therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were
counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name.
5:42Every
day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching
Jesus, the Christ.
When the apostles were arraigned before the authorities it was Peter who spoke on their behalf, being the leading apostle.
The Apostles Sent Peter And John To
The Samaritans
Acts 8:14-25 reads,
8:14Now
when the apostles who were at
8:24Simon
answered, "Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have
spoken come on me."
8:25They
therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to
The Apostles As A Group Were
Greater Than Peter, Their Leading Member
It should be noted that the apostles, as a group, sent Peter and John, part of the group of apostles, to the Samaritans who had received the word of Yahweh. In John 13:16 Yah'shuah stated,
13:16Most assuredly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his
lord, neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him.
Seeing that the apostles, as a group, sent Peter and John, it is indeed the case that the apostles, as a group, were greater than Peter, despite Peter clearly being the leading apostle among them. Their manner of operation can be likened to that of a board of directors of a corporation, whereby the board has authority greater than that of its chairman, its leading figure. Therefore, when the apostles, as a group, sent Peter on a mission, Peter indeed abided by the instruction he had received from his fellows.
Peter Spoke Yahweh's Words Bluntly
Peter was very forthright in the words that he spoke to those he spoke. For when he spoke to Simon he didn't mince his words, and spoke as he saw the situation.
Peter Healed A Paralysed Man By
Yah'shuah's Name
Acts 9:31-35 reads,
9:31So
the assemblies throughout all Judea and Galilee and
9:32It
happened, as Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the
saints who lived at Lydda. 9:33There
he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years,
because he was paralyzed. 9:34Peter
said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your
bed!" Immediately he arose. 9:35All
who lived at Lydda and in
Yahweh did a great work through Peter's hands, bringing many to Yah'shuah through the works that he performed through Peter's hands.
A Glimpse Of Peter's Shepherding
Activities
9:32 provides a glimpse of Peter's shepherding activities. These included
visiting the saints who lived in various locations in the regions of Judea,
Galilee and
Many Believed In Yah'shuah On
Account Of The Miracles He Worked By Peter's Hands
Acts 9:36-43 reads,
9:36Now
there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated,
means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works
and acts of mercy which she did. 9:37It
happened in those days that she fell sick, and died. When they had washed
her, they laid her in an upper chamber. 9:38As
Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men
to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 9:39Peter got up and went with them. When he
had come, they brought him into the upper chamber. All the widows stood by him
weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was
with them. 9:40Peter put them all
out, and kneeled down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha,
get up!" She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 9:41He gave her his hand, and raised her up.
Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 9:42It became known throughout all Joppa, and
many believed in the Lord. 9:43It
happened, that he stayed many days in Joppa with one Simon, a tanner.
Again, through the miracles that Yahweh worked through Peter's hands, many believed in Yah'shuah.
Peter Sent To Cornelius The
Centurion
Acts 10 reads,
10:1Now
there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was
called the Italian Regiment, 10:2a
devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the
needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God. 10:3At about the ninth
hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming
to him, and saying to him, "Cornelius!"
10:4He,
fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, "What is it,
Lord?"
He said to him, "Your prayers and your
gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God. 10:5Now send men to Joppa, and get Simon, who
is surnamed Peter. 10:6He lodges
with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside."
10:7When
the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household
servants and a devout soldier of those who waited on him continually. 10:8Having explained everything to them, he
sent them to Joppa. 10:9Now on
the next day as they were on their journey, and got close to the city, Peter
went up on the housetop to pray at about noon. 10:10He
became hungry and desired to eat, but while they were preparing, he fell into a
trance. 10:11He saw heaven opened
and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four
corners on the earth, 10:12in which
were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and
birds of the sky. 10:13A voice came
to him, "Rise, Peter, kill and eat!"
10:14But
Peter said, "Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is
common or unclean."
10:15A
voice came to him again the second time, "What God
has cleansed, you must not make unholy." 10:16This was done three times, and immediately
the vessel was received up into heaven. 10:17Now
while Peter was very perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen
might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made
inquiry for Simon’s house, stood before the gate, 10:18and
called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, was lodging there. 10:19While Peter thought about the vision, the
Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men seek you. 10:20But arise, get down, and go with them, doubting
nothing; for I have sent them."
10:21Peter
went down to the men, and said, "Behold, I am he whom you seek. Why have
you come?"
10:22They
said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and
well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to
invite you to his house, and to listen to what you say. 10:23So he called them in and lodged them. On
the next day Peter arose and went out with them, and some of the brothers from
Joppa accompanied him. 10:24On
the next day they entered into
10:30Cornelius
said, "Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth
hour, I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright
clothing, 10:31and said, ‘Cornelius,
your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight
of God. 10:32Send therefore to
Joppa, and summon Simon, who is surnamed Peter. He lodges in the house of Simon
a tanner, by the seaside. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ 10:33Therefore I sent to you at once, and it
was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of
God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God."
10:34Peter
opened his mouth and said, "Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show
favoritism; 10:35but in every nation
he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. 10:36The word which he sent to the children of
Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all — 10:37that spoken word you yourselves know,
which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the
baptism which John preached; 10:38even
Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power,
who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for
God was with him. 10:39We are
witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in
10:44While
Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who
heard the word. 10:45They
of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter,
because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles. 10:46For they heard them speak with other
languages and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, 10:47"Can any man forbid the water, that
these who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we should not be
baptized?" 10:48He commanded
them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him
to stay some days.
Peter Refused To Abide By The
Command He Received By The Vision
Peter's behaviour, in 10:14, in response to the command he had received by the vision, should be noted. Peter refused to abide by the command in the vision that he kill and eat of the flesh of unclean animals.
Peter's behaviour in this incident is really no different to the manner he behaved before Yah'shuah when he initially refused to allow Yah'shuah to wash his feet, for it didn't seem proper to him for his master to wash his feet. In other words, Peter was the type of person who didn't go along with a proposal unless and until he was satisfied with the proposal before him. If he wasn't satisfied with or was unsure of the proposal he simply refused to go along with it.
Therefore, when Peter received a command to eat the flesh of unclean animals he simply refused to abide by the command. For, in harmony with Yahweh's word to Israelites, he had never eaten of the flesh of unclean animals. And he wasn't prepared to disobey Yahweh's word to Israelites simply on account of receiving a command by way of vision. In other words, a command by way of vision wasn't sufficient to move Peter to act in a given manner. He had to be sure that the word received by vision was truly Yahweh's word before abiding by it.
Peter Initially Didn't Understand
The Meaning Of The Vision
It should also be noted that Peter didn't understand the vision to mean that he was to eat the flesh of unclean animals from that time forward. For he was perplexed as to what the vision might mean, implying that it had a meaning quite different from the literal representation in it.
Peter Obeyed The Command From The
Holy Spirit
10:19-21 shows that when Peter received a clear command from the Holy Spirit he abided by it.
Peter's two reactions should be noted. He refused to abide by the command in the vision. But when the Holy Spirit commanded him to do something, even something unusual, he abided by the command. It therefore appears that Peter attached greater credence to the word of the Holy Spirit spoken directly to him than the meaning of a vision shown him. In other words, whereas he was prepared to say "No!" to a command in a vision, he wasn't so prepared to say to the Holy Spirit, knowing full well that the word of the Holy Spirit was indeed Yahweh's word, seeing Yah'shuah had spoken to his apostles that the Holy Spirit speaks only what he hears and not his own words. For John 16:12-15 reads,
16:12"I have yet many things to tell you, but you can’t bear
them now. 16:13However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will
guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever
things he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you the things that are
coming. 16:14He will glorify me, for he will take from what is mine, and
will declare it to you. 16:15All things whatever the Father has are mine; therefore I said
that he takes of mine, and will declare it to you.
Peter Refused To Accept Worship
From Humans
10:25-26 shows that Peter REFUSED to accept worship from other human beings. He stated that he was also a human being, and therefore wasn't to be worshipped. Humans should worship Yahweh and not other humans.
It was therefore Peter's clear teaching that he was not to be worshipped or viewed in a manner superior to that of his true standing. He was just a human and not an entity worthy of worship. He therefore discouraged anyone thinking of him higher than he really was and encouraged them to think of him simply as a servant of Yah'shuah and nothing more than this.
Peter's Understanding Of The Meaning
Of The Vision
In 10:28 Peter reveals what he came to understand was the meaning of the vision that had been shown him a few days before. It wasn't that he was to eat the flesh of unclean animals, a command contrary to Yahweh's word to Israelites, but that he was not to call or consider any human unclean. In other words, whereas to Israelites some animals are unclean and therefore not eaten, to followers of Yah'shuah no human is to be considered unclean and therefore no human is to be excluded from fellowshipping with Yah'shuah's followers, even when human customary laws require it.
Peter Taken To Task By Brethren In
Acts 11:1-18 reads,
11:1Now
the apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had
also received the word of God. 11:2When
Peter had come up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended
with him, 11:3saying, "You
went in to uncircumcised men, and ate with them!"
11:4But
Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying, 11:5"I was in the city of Joppa praying,
and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain container descending, like it was a
great sheet let down from heaven by four corners. It came as far as me, 11:6on which, when I had looked intently, I
considered, and saw the four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals,
creeping things, and birds of the sky. 11:7I
also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter, kill and
eat!’ 11:8But I said, ‘Not
so, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered into my mouth.’ 11:9But a voice answered me the second time out
of heaven, ‘What God has cleansed, don’t you make
unholy.’ 11:10This was done
three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11:11Behold, immediately three men stood before
the house where I was, having been sent from Caesarea to me. 11:12The Spirit told me to go with them,
without discriminating. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered
into the man’s house. 11:13He told
us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying to him, ‘Send to
Joppa, and get Simon, whose surname is Peter, 11:14who
will speak to you words whereby you will be saved, you and all your house.’ 11:15As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell
on them, even as on us at the beginning. 11:16I
remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John
indeed baptized with water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.’
11:17If then God gave to them the
same gift as us, when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I
could withstand God?"
11:18When
they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying,
"Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!"
11:1-3 shows that Peter was taken to task by those of the circumcision among the apostles and brothers at Jerusalem.
Believers In Yah'shuah Are
Collectively In Greater Authority Than Any Individual Believer
If Peter was in authority over all other apostles and brothers it is indeed unlikely that they would have taken him to task over his conduct. But the conduct of the brothers in taking Peter to task over why he violated Jewish customary law in fellowshipping with Gentiles suggests that the body of believers, including the apostles and brothers, was greater in authority to a single brother, even an apostle, even the leading apostle, as Peter was! This is consistent with Acts 8, when the apostles as a collective body sent Peter and John to the Samaritans, that they may receive the Holy Spirit, showing that the collective body of apostles was greater in authority than individual members of that body. Therefore the collective body of believers in Yah'shuah is greater in authority than any believer in Yah'shuah, even when that believer is the leading apostle, Peter.
No Member Of Yah'shuah's Household
Is Above Being Taken To Task By Yah'shuah's Household (There Is No Pope!)
It should therefore be clear that no member of Yah'shuah's household is above being taken to task by Yah'shuah's household over any aspect of his conduct. For in Yah'shuah's household there are no god-like figures. But all in his household are brethren, for so he taught in Matthew 23:8-12,
23:8But don’t you be called ‘Rabbi,’ for one is your teacher,
the Christ, and all of you are brothers. 23:9Call no man on the
earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. 23:10Neither be called
masters, for one is your master, the Christ. 23:11But he who is
greatest among you will be your servant. 23:12Whoever will exalt himself will be humbled, and whoever will
humble himself will be exalted.
No One In Yah'shuah's Household
Should Lord It Over His Fellows
And in Matthew 20:25-28 Yah'shuah taught,
20:25But
Jesus summoned them, and said, "You know that
the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise
authority over them. 20:26It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become
great among you shall be your servant. 20:27Whoever desires to
be first among you shall be your bondservant, 20:28even as the Son of
Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for
many."
How Peter Defended Himself For
Breaking Jewish Customary Law
Peter, in defending himself when he was taken to task by those of the circumcision, simply recounted to them the facts of the matter and reminded his audience how the facts of the matter were in harmony with Yah'shuah's word. In other words, Peter showed his audience that his conduct was in harmony with Yah'shuah's word. Seeing that his audience professed to follow Yah'shuah, and found that Peter's conduct was in harmony with Yah'shuah's word, even though contrary to Jewish customary law, they abided by Yah'shuah's word and ditched their contrary Jewish customary law. In other words, Yah'shuah's word supersedes human customary law, even as he taught in Matthew 15, already seen earlier on.
Herod Captured And Imprisoned Peter
Acts 12:1-19 reads,
12:1Now
about that time, Herod the king stretched out his hands to oppress some of the
assembly. 12:2He killed James, the
brother of John, with the sword. 12:3When
he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was
during the days of unleavened bread. 12:4When
he had captured him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of
four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after
the Passover. 12:5Peter therefore
was kept in the prison, but constant prayer was made by the assembly to God for
him. 12:6The same night when Herod
was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with
two chains. Guards in front of the door kept the prison.
12:7Behold,
an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck
Peter on the side, and woke him up, saying, "Stand up quickly!" His
chains fell off from his hands. 12:8The
angel said to him, "Put on your clothes, and tie on your sandals." He
did so. He said to him, "Put on your cloak, and follow me." 12:9He went out, and followed him. He didn’t
know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision. 12:10When they were past the first and the
second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened
to them by itself. They went out, and passed on through one street, and
immediately the angel departed from him.
12:11When
Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I truly know that the Lord has
sent out his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from
everything the Jewish people were expecting." 12:12Thinking about that, he came to the house of Mary, the
mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together and
were praying. 12:13When Peter
knocked at the door of the gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. 12:14When she recognized Peter’s voice, she
didn’t open the gate for joy, but ran in, and reported that Peter stood before
the gate.
12:15They
said to her, "You are crazy!" But she insisted that it was so. They
said, "It is his angel." 12:16But
Peter continued knocking. When they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed. 12:17But he, beckoning to them with his hand to
be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He
said, "Tell these things to James, and to the brothers." He
departed, and went to another place.
12:18Now
as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what
had become of Peter. 12:19When Herod
had sought for him, and didn’t find him, he examined the guards, and commanded
that they should be put to death. He went down from Judea to Caesarea, and
stayed there.
Peter Acknowledged James' Leading
Role In Yah'shuah's Household
12:17 shows that Peter acknowledged that James, Yah'shuah's brother, had also become a leading member of Yah'shuah's assembly. For whereas in the past, such as at the time of Yah'shuah's resurrection, Peter was the clear leading brother, with matters such as Yah'shuah's resurrection being reported to him, it appears that at this time James had acquired a leading position among Yah'shuah's followers. For when Peter was delivered out of Herod's hand by an angel of Yahweh Peter instructed that this word be given to James and to the other brothers. It is therefore clear that Peter didn't think that he was the only leading figure among Yah'shuah's followers. When another leading figure arose in the course of time he duly acknowledged the fact.
Peter Spoke Before The Jerusalem
Gathering Considering Circumcision For Gentiles
Acts 15:1-21 reads,
15:1Some
men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised
after the custom of Moses, you can’t be saved." 15:2Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no
small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and
some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this
question. 15:3They, being sent on
their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring
the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers. 15:4When they had come to Jerusalem, they were
received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all
things that God had done with them.
15:5But
some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is
necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of
Moses."
15:6The
apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter. 15:7When there had been much discussion, Peter
rose up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that a good while ago
God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word
of the gospel, and believe. 15:8God,
who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just
like he did to us. 15:9He made no
distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 15:10Now therefore why do you tempt God, that
you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers
nor we were able to bear? 15:11But
we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they
are."
15:12All
the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting
what signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 15:13After they were silent, James answered,
"Brothers, listen to me. 15:14Simeon
has reported how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people
for his name. 15:15This agrees
with the words of the prophets. As it is written,
15:16‘After
these things I will return.
I will again build the tent of David, which has fallen.
I will again build its ruins.
I will set it up,
15:17That the rest of men may seek
after the Lord;
All the Gentiles who are called by my name,
Says the Lord, who does all these things.
15:18All his works are known to God
from eternity.’
15:19"Therefore
my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn
to God, 15:20but that we write to
them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality,
from what is strangled, and from blood. 15:21For
Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read
in the synagogues every Sabbath."
Why James Agreed With Peter's Words
In the assembly at Jerusalem there were two leading figures - Peter and James the brother of Yah'shuah. Peter spoke concerning the matter before James spoke. When James spoke he stated that he agreed with the words that Peter had spoken as the words Peter had spoken agreed with the words of the prophets. In other words, the manner James assessed the veracity of Peter's words was by comparing them for harmony with the words of the prophets - Yahweh's previously revealed word.
Peter's Words On Their Own Weren't
Sufficient Authority To Bind Yah'shuah's Followers
James' conduct with respect to Peter's words shows that even though Peter was a leading figure among Yah'shuah's followers his words were not accepted for following by the rest of Yah'shuah's household simply on the basis of having been spoken by Peter. In other words, the words of Peter on their own weren't sufficient authority to bind others in Yah'shuah's household. To bind others in Yah'shuah's household Peter's words had to agree with Yahweh's previously revealed word in Scripture - the Law, the Prophets and the Writings. Therefore, the words that bound Yah'shuah's followers were Yahweh's words, whether spoken by Yah'shuah, or by the Holy Spirit through any person the Holy Spirit chose to so speak those words.
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