You Went to the Uncircumcised - Acts 11:3

Luke the physician wrote how “the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, ...”, and in chapter eleven and verse three of the book of Acts Luke shared how the Jewish believers told Peter, “you went in to men uncircumcised, and did eat with them” where we read:

Saying, you went in to men uncircumcised, and did eat with them.

The verse begins, “Saying, you went in to men uncircumcised, ...” Luke began with the word, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “you went in to men uncircumcised” or “you, Peter, entered, arose and appeared to people both male and female who were Gentiles and pagans”. Luke shared how the Jewish “apostles” and “believers” in Jesus charged “Peter” with going to “pagan Gentile” people.

The verse continues, “... and did eat with them.” Luke added the words, “and did eat” which means “and consumed and devoured food” “with them” or “alongside the pagan Gentiles”. Luke shared how the “apostles” and “believers in Jesus” in Jerusalem accused “Peter” of entering the home of “Gentile” people and “eating food” with them.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn why the “apostles and believers” in Jerusalem “contended” with “Peter”. They could not understand why “Peter” would enter a “Gentile's home” and “eat food” with them. This, in their minds, meant that “Peter” was becoming as “one” with them, and the Jews had nothing to do with the “Gentiles”. Jesus declared this was not to be the way they were to act. (See Matthew 8:11) God loves everybody, everywhere, and “whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life” (See John 3:16) through faith and belief in His Son Jesus. The “apostles and believers” will discover God's desire to save “Jews and Gentiles”, and those who are wise will surrender themselves to His Son Jesus to be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with Him.

Next time Luke shares how, “Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".