"feed My Sheep"

Acts 15:5-11 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.” 6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
 
THE gospel is for everyone, even the Pharisees. We know how the Pharisees confronted, criticized and crucified Jesus. How often our Lord had implored them to believe! But then some did believe during Jesus’ ministry. More came to faith as the risen Savior became known throughout Judea.
   Some of the Pharisees, who became Christians, though, wanted to hold onto circumcision. They couldn’t completely submit to know God’s grace was sufficient. They needed to learn, and the best way to do so was to hear from Peter, whom God sent to the Roman, Cornelius’ home.
   Peter’s testimony is clear and direct. He testifies it is God’s choice: “Some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.” Peter confirms God had a plan from ages past to call Gentiles to faith: “God, who knows the heart,” had chosen them to believe. Then, “God showed that he accepted them.” It was by God’s power Cornelius and his family understood salvation through Jesus because God gave the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.
   Peter confirms all belilevers are united in Jesus’ church: “God made no distinction between us and them.” And they became holy as they believed: “For he purified their hearts by faith.” God had planned, decided, acted and saved.
   Then Peter asked the Pharisees, who had become Christians, why they tested God, why they want to put a burden on those whom God had freed from the law’s burden. The law had served its purpose, but it could not save. Jesus is the only reason anyone could claim, “I am Jesus; disciple.”
   God had appointed Peter to feed my sheep. (John 21:17c) That is precisely what he was doing.