The undiminished power of Peter, his apostolic authority, in the midst of
which the entrance of Cornelius into the spiritual house of God takes
place, in connection with Peter's ministry, and that, after the calling of
Saul, which opened a new perspective-all these facts taken together
confirmed that which went before. The original work was in no wise set
aside to bring in another. Nevertheless, Peter's vision did not reveal the
assembly as the body of Christ, neither did the admission of Cornelius.
They only shewed that in every nation he who feared God was acceptable to
Him-in a word, that the favour of God was not limited to the Jews, and that
there was no need of becoming a Jew in order to share the salvation that is
in Christ. The oneness of the body united to its Head in heaven was not
brought out by this event; but it prepared the way for the promulgation of
that truth, since in fact the Gentile was admitted on earth without
becoming a Jew. The thing was done on earth individually, although the
doctrine itself was not taught. Repentance unto life eternal was granted to
the Gentiles as such. The Holy Ghost-the seal of christian blessing among
the Jews, the fruit of redemption accomplished by Jesus-was given to
Gentiles as to Jews. The latter might be astonished at it; but there was no
resisting God. Through grace they could praise Him for it.
>From chapter 9:32 to 11:18, we find then, the power of the Spirit of God
with Peter in the midst of Israel, and the admission of Gentiles into the
earthly assembly, without their becoming Jews, or submitting to the ancient
order which was passing away; the seal of the Spirit put upon them; and the
heads of the assembly at Jerusalem, and the most ardent of the
circumcision, accepting the fact as the will of God, and praising Him while
submitting to it, in spite of their prejudices. The door then is open to
the Gentile. This was an immense step. The precious doctrine of the
assembly had yet to be announced.
Peter had proclaimed the call of the Gentiles in his first discourse; but
to realise it, and give form to its conditions, in connection with that
which had already existed historically, required the intervention, the
authority, and the revelation of God. Progress is evident through the
patient grace of God; for it was not the wisdom of man. Altogether Jewish
at the commencement, the people of Jerusalem were taught that Jesus would
return if they repented. This testimony of grace is rejected, and, in the
person of him who maintained it, the firstfruits of the assembly go up to
heaven. The Holy Ghost, in His sovereign liberty, acts in Samaria and among
the proselytes. The assembly being scattered by the persecution, Saul is
brought in by the revelation of a glorious Christ, and by a testimony from
His mouth which implies the union of saints on earth with Himself their
Head in heaven as only one body. After this a pious Gentile, converted but
still a Gentile, receives faith in Christ and the Holy Ghost; so that,
marked out by this testimony-this seal from God Himself to his faith-the
apostle and the disciples who were the most attached to Judaism receive
him; Peter by baptising him, and the others by accepting Peter's act.
Let us notice here, that salvation is not only the fact of being quickened
and pious, but that of complete deliverance so as to present us to Himself
in righteousness, which God grants to every one who has life through the
operation of God. Cornelius was pious and earnestly so; but he hears words
of a work done for him whereby he may be, and (as we know) was saved.
Finally the seal of the Holy Ghost, upon believing in Jesus, [see note #17]
is the ground on which those whom God accepts are acknowledged. That is to
say, it is the full evidence for man.
