Acts 11:1-18
In today’s reading Luke retells the Cornelius incident from the previous chapter, this time from Peter’s perspective as he related the incident to the Jerusalem faithful. I have often found it strange that Luke repeated the incident in such detail, even word-for-word quotations in verses 7-9 and in verse 13. On considering that today, I thought further in the book of Acts how often Luke focuses on the apostles’ mission to the Gentiles. We saw Philip’s ministry in chapter 8, now Peter’s ministry in Acts 10-11, and Paul and his companions’ ministry in Acts 13, ff. It’s an important item for Luke, and I began to wonder at his origin, wondering if he had been a Gentile himself. The Encyclopedia Britannica confirmed the likelihood of that possibility (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Luke). That will be something to watch for as we move forward.
Another item that struck me today was the Jerusalem apostles’ ready acceptance of Peter’s story and God’s work among the Gentiles. They seem completely confident of Peter’s leadership and their trust in God working through him. Our spiritual leaders today also need that affirmation – the challenges they face from within and from without are substantial. They need our prayers and support!
Slava Bohu!