Explain, Please

“When Peter went up to Jerusalem, those who stressed circumcision argued with him, saying, ‘You visited uncircumcised men and ate with them!’ Peter began to explain to them in an orderly sequence.” (Acts 11:2-4 CSB)

Our 21st century mind-set is clueless to understand the importance of circumcision to 1st century Jews and Jewish Christians. From their viewpoint, a man who was uncircumcised could not get into heaven. It was a requirement for salvation, a man’s “ticket to heaven” so to speak. Association with men who were uncircumcised was, in their view, something akin to a committed believer hanging out in a honky-tonk. Only much worse. So, when these guys got word that Peter preached the gospel to uncircumcised men, went into their homes, and actually ate with them, they were offended to the core. So when Peter made it up to Jerusalem, they challenged him publicly.

Peter had the good sense to take six other Jewish Christians with him, to attest to everything that happened. There could be no arguing with the facts of what happened, which is exactly the way Peter explained it. The outcome is that, for the time being at least, these of the circumcision party, as it came to be known, were silenced and then glorified God that the Gentiles had received repentance resulting in life. The issue was far from over, but for the time being they were silent.

Think about this for a moment. Who was Peter? Well, he was only the head honcho. He was THE leader of the Jerusalem church, the primary spokesman on the Day of Pentecost, the one who healed a man who was crippled, the man who raised Dorcas from the dead. His resume was not too shabby. And yet, here we see this Spirit-filled, powerful leader being called on the carpet by some men who did not get it yet. And even more surprising, we see Peter giving a sequenced, full, detailed explanation of exactly what happened.

It if is not apparent yet, what this suggests to us is that all of us are accountable, even those who have impeccable records in leadership. Some church leaders and pastors can, at times, behave as if they have no accountability, but the reality is that all of us have an accountability to the church and to individuals in the church, regardless of where they may or may not be in their spiritual development. Servant leadership demands such of all us. Pride tells us we do not have to explain anything, but pride needs to be displaced by humility which tells us that everyone matters.

Father, Help us to neither fear nor avoid accountability, but to use even that as an opportunity to glorify You. Amen.