Living in the Image of God M05S06
We discuss Peter’s interactions with Jewish believers in Jerusalem, regarding his meeting with Gentiles in Caesarea: to understand that every participant in a mission is accountable to the mission objectives and other mission participants. “Accountable” implies an obligation to obtain necessary permission and seek other participants’ understanding regarding actions that can affect performance of the mission objectives. In the example from Peter, Jewish believers in Jerusalem questioned his interactions with Gentiles and Peter responded to them in detail, respectful of their right to demand explanation. They were satisfied with his response. Further, they accepted his message that every person is entitled to receive the Gospel and their mission included spreading the Gospel to everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike.
This bible study focuses on understanding mission accountability. To begin, we recall that every mission belongs to God, if the mission objectives and methods and procedures are consistent with Living in the Image of God. Whether the mission is by a single person or group of persons, every member is accountable to the mission objectives and to other mission participants.
We discuss an example from Apostle Peter, based on his address to Jewish believers in Jerusalem, regarding his meeting in Caesarea with Cornelius and other Gentiles (i.e., non-Jews). The Jewish believers had questioned Peter’s interactions with the Gentiles: “So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, ‘You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them’” [Acts 11:2–3]. He responded to them in detail and through his response showed he respected and honored their right to demand explanation.
The Jerusalem believers were satisfied with Peter’s response. Further, they accepted his message that every person is entitled to receive the Gospel and their mission included spreading the Gospel to everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike: “When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life’” [Acts 11:18].
Peter’s response to the Jewish believers illustrates mission accountability: that every participant in a mission is accountable to the mission objectives and other mission participants.
Mission Accountability
We begin by defining a mission as any task or duty that is assigned, allotted, or self-chosen, and the objectives and methods and procedures are consistent with Living in the Image of God. The mission objectives focus on worshipping God either directly through religious activities or indirectly through other aspects of living. Also, the mission could be by one or more participants, also referred to as members. Every member of a mission is accountable to other members and to the mission objectives. Being “accountable” implies an obligation to obtain necessary permission and seek other participants’ understanding regarding actions that can affect performance of the mission objectives.
Believers in Jerusalem Query Peter’s Action
We discuss an example from Peter’s interactions with Jewish believers in Jerusalem regarding his meeting with Gentiles in Caesarea. Following Peter’s meeting with Cornelius and other Gentiles in Caesarea, Jewish believers in Jerusalem criticized him for mingling and sharing food with Gentiles, that is, non-Jews. Jewish custom distinguished between Jews and Gentiles based on circumcision, and prohibited Jews from mingling or sharing food with Gentiles: “So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, ‘You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them’” [Acts 11: 2–3].
Peter Responds to the Jewish Believers
Peter recognized that he was accountable to the Jewish believers regarding his meeting with Gentiles. He was a co-member with them in a mission to bear witness to the life and message of Jesus. The mission membership had assumed that only Jews were entitled to receive the Gospel and, for that reason, questioned Peter’s meeting with Gentiles. Therefore, he responded in detail to explain his actions: “Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story” [Acts 11:4].
What follows in Acts 11:5–17 is a detailed summary of information that is already in Acts 10 and could have been incorporated by reference. By repeating the information, the passage conveys a message of Peter’s care to provide details of the events to members that did not witness the events. He concluded the presentation with a justification for taking the Gospel message to all, Jews and Gentiles alike [Acts 11:17]: “So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”
Believers were Satisfied
The believers were satisfied with Peter’s explanation. Further, they understood that his interactions with the Gentiles did not violate their mission. Also, they understood that their mission includes spreading the Gospel to everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike: “When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life’” [Acts 11:18].
Summary of What We Learned
The study discusses Peter’s interactions with Jewish believers in Jerusalem, regarding his meeting with Gentiles in Caesarea: to understand that every participant in a mission is accountable to the mission objectives and other mission participants. “Accountable” implies an obligation to obtain necessary permission and seek other participants’ understanding regarding actions that can affect performance of the mission objectives.
In the example from Peter, Jewish believers in Jerusalem questioned his interactions with Gentiles and Peter responded to them in detail, respectful of their right to demand explanation. They were satisfied with his response. Further, they accepted his message that every person is entitled to receive the Gospel and their mission included spreading the Gospel to everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike.