The Rest of the Story

“When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him.” Acts 11:3

Don’t be so quick to criticize.

Just possibly, you might not know all the story, and the part you’re missing is most likely important.  The Jewish believers in Jerusalem would have humbly shared this advice after accusing Peter of doing wrong and finding out that God was doing right. Word had gotten around that someone was sharing the good news of Jesus with those less-than-best Gentiles, and all fingers pointed to Peter. “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 11:3).

What they said was true—Peter had been hanging with Cornelius, a Roman centurion, for several days—but why Peter had gone there and what God had done there were the missing details which warranted the whole event, so Peter started talking. “Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened”(Acts 11:4). He told them of his pre-lunch vision and of God’s command to eat unclean animals. He told them of his invitation to visit Cornelius, and that “the Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going”(Acts 11:12). He told them how an angel had instructed Cornelius to send for Peter because he would “bring a message through which you and all your household will be saved”(Acts 11:14). He told them how the Holy Spirit had filled the Gentiles in that home and how he had remembered the words of Jesus—“John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit”(Acts 11:16). And then he said, “So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us…who was I to think that I could oppose God?”(Acts 11:17). His words were a no-comeback clincher which shut his accusers’ mouths and opened their hearts. “When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God”(Acts 11:18).

So next time you see or hear something that doesn’t meet your approval, don’t be too quick to criticize. Consider approaching the supposed offender with an open-minded “Help me understand what happened,” rather than an indicting “What in the world were you doing?”

It’s good to remember that just because you don’t think it’s right, doesn’t mean it’s wrong. God laid out many guidelines for life in black and white, but He left a lot in gray. Don’t get too focused on the fuzzy; leave the in-between between others and God.

He’s often at work in the rest of the story.