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Sketches from the Life of Paul
The questions thus brought under the consideration of the council
seemed to present insurmountable difficulties, viewed in whatever
light. But the Holy Ghost had, in reality, already settled this problem,
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upon the decision of which depended the prosperity, and even the
existence, of the Christian church. Grace, wisdom, and sanctified
judgment were given to the apostles to decide the vexed question.
Peter reasoned that the Holy Ghost had decided the matter by
descending with equal power upon the uncircumcised Gentiles and
the circumcised Jews. He recounted his vision, in which God had
presented before him a sheet filled with all manner of four-footed
beasts, and had bidden him kill and eat; that when he had refused,
affirming that he had never eaten that which was common or unclean,
God had said, “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.”
He related the plain interpretation of these words, which was given
to him almost immediately in his summons to go to the Gentile cen-
turion, and instruct him in the faith of Christ. This message showed
that God was no respecter of persons, but accepted and acknowledged
those who feared him, and worked righteousness. Peter told of his
astonishment, when, in speaking the words of truth to the Gentiles, he
witnessed the Holy Spirit take possession of his hearers, both Jews and
Gentiles. The same light and glory that was reflected upon the circum-
cised Jews, shone also upon the countenances of the uncircumcised
Gentiles. This was the warning of God that he should not regard the
one as inferior to the other; for the blood of Jesus Christ could cleanse
from all uncleanness.
Peter had reasoned once before, in like manner, with his brethren,
concerning the conversion of Cornelius and his friends, and his fellow-
ship with them. On that occasion he had related how the Holy Ghost
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fell on them, and had said, “Forasmuch then as God gave them the like
gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, what
was I that I could withstand God?” Now, with equal fervor and force,
he said, “God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving
them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us, and put no difference
between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now, therefore,
why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which
neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?”
This yoke was not the law of ten commandments, as those who
oppose the binding claim of the law assert; but Peter referred to the