Matthews gospel has already informed us that Peter had been given the,
“Keys to the gates of heaven”
However, it is in Chapter 2 of Acts that the reader sees Peter first use them to open the Gospel to his fellow Jews at Pentecost. In this passage, we see Peter’s first recognition that the Gospel is open, not only to Jews, but to all those who believe, repent and are baptised. In verse 38, this realisation is made apparent to us when he states about the universality of the church:
‘For Gods promise was made to you and your children and to all who are far away –all whom the Lord our God calls to himself.’
F. F. Bruce has described the gift of Gods grace as being extended, to make everyone including Peter aware that it is,
“Not only to the people of Jerusalem but to those of distant lands (Gentiles).”
This was God’s way in letting Peter know that he was God of all people not just the Jews. This is the first sign that Peter’s discrimination is being broken down. However, I believe that Peter is still not fully sure of the position of Gentiles in the church. As, at the end of Chapter 9, we become aware of more definite evidence for this when, Peter stays in Joppa with a tanner of leather named Simon. James D. G. Dunn annotates that this is important within the book because tanning made,
“Its practitioners unacceptable among those who regarded ritual purity as something to be maintained as far as possible”.
This clearly shows that Peter,
“Was already in a state of mind which would fit him for the further revelation of the next chapter,”
It is quite clear to us that Sectarianism was a problem from many years ago, and that it is difficult to overcome, even more so in today’s society. Overcoming Sectarianism is a slow but worth while process, Trevor Ringland became aware of this and set up a,
‘One Small Step Campaign’
We can see from Peter’s actions that one small step at a time can make a huge difference, as Chapter 10 reveals information about how we should treat those outside our own religion and also one of the most important turning points in Christian principles. Within chapter 9 of this book, the reader sees the conversion of Saul as a result of divine intervention on the road to Damascus, and then in chapter 10 we see the conversion of Cornelius by Peter. Peter preached to the Gentiles before Paul did. These two events are closely linked because they were the foundations on which the Gentile mission would be built. Yet why was the first Gentile conversion so important and what was Peter’s purpose? In order to find the answer to this, we must look at the history of Jewish-Gentile relations, for, as often is the case, this sectarianism has its roots in history and has been carried on to the modern world today. Within chapter 12 in the book of Genesis, God told Abraham he would bless him, his descendants and that,
“All peoples on earth will be blessed through you (i.e. Abraham and his descendants).”
The Jews were messengers, carrying the Word of God to other nations – this they did not do. Instead, as John Stott explains:
‘Israel twisted the doctrine of election into one of favouritism, became filled with moral pride and hatred and developed traditions that kept them (Jews and gentiles) apart.’
The Jews considered the Gentiles as unclean, and were often referred to as dogs. This does not correspond with Jesus’ gave the Great Commission in Acts 1v8:
‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’
This statement motivated Acts, gave it direction, energy, purpose, message and protection. This was the barrier that had to be overcome before Gentiles could be admitted into the Christian community; In fact that is what we all have to do today, look at what we believe and to overcome the sectarianism barrier dividing us from other people. Any Gentile who wished to become a Christian had to first be circumcised as a Jew (a proselyte). This was to end with Cornelius, as Peter’s own personal sectarianism views were knocked down, Thus overcoming this major sectarianism, this again would help us to see how Peter challenged his sectarian views and would give us ideas on how to overcome ours.
Peter received a vision from God which offended Peter’s inherent belief that unclean animals should not be eaten by law-abiding Jews. However, when he questions this instruction, God rebukes him,
‘Do not consider anything unclean that God has declared clean.’
However it is important that we realise that Peter could not free himself from all his sectarianism views and move beyond them by his own power; he needed the support and spiritual guidance of the Lord. We could then ask ourselves, do we need help today to overcome our beliefs or is this story of God helping Peter enough for us?
One major overcoming of Peter’s sectarian views had clearly been eliminated when he enters Gentile Cornelius’ home and then makes the profound statement,
“I now realise that it is true that God treats everyone on the same basis,”
This Statement is one in which we can use today; we were all created by God, each person different and unique in their own way. The coming of the Holy Spirit, in Cornelius’ house was a sign that circumcision was no longer necessary for a Gentile wishing to become a Christian, after all, had not the same signs accompanied the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2? Indeed, many scholars point out that this was a Gentile Pentecost in Caesarea, corresponding to the Jewish ones in Jerusalem.
“God has given to the Gentiles also the opportunity to repent and live”,
This change in Christian doctrine was fundamental for the early Church as it shows the importance of overcoming sectarianism and is also an example to believing people throughout the world. Some have argued that it is,
“Perhaps, the most powerful pointer to the inclusiveness of God’s saving activity”
And that it contains
“Important clues for a Christian, understanding of the status before God of those who are not Christians”.
After the initiation of Cornelius into the Church, Peter’s colleagues in Jerusalem were reasonably quick to oppose Peter. In chapter 11, we see Peter having to explain his actions to the Jerusalem church for entering the home of a Gentile, and allowing him to come to faith without circumcision here the Church was forced to act. Nevertheless, having Peter as an example can help us challenge our own views of sectarianism.
Peter makes his final appearance in Chapter 15, the Council of Jerusalem. Judaizers from the Jerusalem church came to Antioch and made claims that,
“Unless you are circumcised…you cannot be saved”.
Ex-Presbyterian Moderator, Trevor Morrow, called this,
“A fundamental threat to the message of the Gospel”
Here we see the entire basis of the Christian faith being undermined – just as it is today - these men were saying that faith in Jesus is not enough for salvation but that circumcision and obedience to the Mosaaic Law were also needed, that
“They must let Moses complete what Jesus had began, and let the law supplement
At the council Peter stressed the importance of the universality of the Gospel message and emphasises that,
‘God, who knows the thoughts of everyone, showed his approval of the gentiles by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he had to us. He made no difference between us and them.’
The Modern world today can use Peter as an example on how he overcomes the issue of Sectarianism but Peter was also involved in it. In Chapter 4 and 5, we see two occasions on which Peter and the Apostles were persecuted by the Sanhedrin. This religious body was made up of the Pharisees and Sadducees and the latter especially would have taken offence at the Christian message, they personally did not believe in the resurrection of the dead and found it necessary to act when Peter began to preach about Christ being raised from the dead.
Although sectarianism against the Church is not something desired, it is much worse when the Church itself houses sectarianism and acts unjustly towards some people. Even Peter is guilty of sectarianism on some occasions and this cannot be overlooked. In chapter 6, the reader sees that the Hellenists complain against the Grecian Jews because,
“Their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of funds.”
Also in chapter 8, it is possible to see another occasion on which Peter’s actions could be interpreted as intolerant. When Philip evangelises to the Samaritans and many are converted, Peter and John came from Jerusalem. Perhaps it could be conceived that the church in Judea did not wish the ‘unfaithful’ Samaritans to come to faith?
In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, the key example of Peter’s sectarianism is found, but this just shows the fact that Peter is human with views he finds it hard to over come. In chapter 2 verse 12, Paul writes that he had to oppose Peter,
“Before some men who had been sent by James (Judaizers) arrived there, Peter had been eating with the gentile brothers and sisters. But after these men had arrived, he drew back and would not eat with the gentiles because he was afraid of those who were in favour of circumcising them.”
I find it encouraging discovering that Peter, an influential figure in the Gentile mission was capable of sectarianism. Out of fear of what others might think of him, he went along with the crowd and refused to eat with Gentiles, even though he had received a vision to the contrary. Each and every one of us is capable of sectarianism, although there are issues within the gospel that we can admire Peter for there are also some that we see his human nature. Some of us might be better at hiding our views, but inside every person there are some issues of sectarianism. However, it is how the Church reacted to their own discrimination that is important; they could have accepted their own sectarian views and incorporated them into their theology. Instead, they worked to overcome sectarianism, even when it involved admitting they had been wrong. This is something that should be taken out of Acts and used by us today in the modern world. Luke shows remarkable transformation that the Holy Spirit produced in Peter, who went from denying Jesus 3 times to boldly denying the Jewish Leaders and telling them to their faces that he would continue to preach about Jesus. In Acts 6, the early Church, under Peter’s command, chooses seven men to help ease the tensions between Hebrews and Hellenists. The Samaritans are accepted into the Church (whatever Peter’s own view had been) and Paul’s rebuke of Peter led him to return to the Council of Jerusalem to set down the Church’s view. We cannot hope to fully rid ourselves of sectarianism, but we can continually work at overcoming it. And this reveals one of the most important things about sectarianism – as Cecilia Clegg and Joseph Liechty wrote in heir book:
“We are all recovering sectarians.”
An example of sectarianism in our world today.
With reference to anyone of the key people in Acts, explore the challenge of prejudice, sectarianism or racism to the modern world.
By Ciara Mc Shane
L6
Bibliography
- Cecilia Clegg, and Joseph Liechty, “Moving Beyond Sectarianism”, Columba, P 22
- Cecilia Clegg, and Joseph Liechty, “Moving Beyond Sectarianism”, Columba, P 23
- Good news Bible, Acts2v39
- F.F. Bruce, Eerdmans
- James D.G. Dunn
- R.J. Knowling, “The Acts of he Apostles”
- Holy Bible, New International Version, Hodder and Stoughton, Genesis12v2
- John Stott, “The Message of Acts”, IVP, P185
- Good news Bible, Acts1v8
- Good news Bible, Acts10v15
- Good news Bible, Acts10v34
- Good news Bible, Acts11v18
- Anglican Consultative Council, “Towards a Theology for Inter-faith Dialogue”, 1986, P24
- Speech given to Ploughshare
- John Stott, “The Message of Acts”, IVP, P243
- Good news Bible, Acts15v8-9
- Good news Bible, Acts6v1
- Good news Bible, Galatians2v12
- Cecilia Clegg and Joseph Liechty, “Moving Beyond Sectarianism”, Columba, P107
- Newspapers
- www.sectarianisminnorthernireland.com