The last time we read of Peter, Acts 15 is at the Jerusalem Council, as a Governmental Apostle. (God’s calling never leaves our lives, though time may alter how it’s outworked)
Some men came down from Judea to Antioch (without authorisation! V 24), the enemy wanted to oppose the powerful work of God among Gentile Believers. They taught the need for circumcision, a hangover from the Law of Moses and the original Covenant with Abraham. Paul and Barnabas sharply disputed with them and eventually were sent to Jerusalem to secure a ruling from the Central Church, the final authority.
5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” Acts 15
The distorted thinking within the Church soon manifested and a decision had to be made whether or not the new Gentile Church would obey the Law or live by Faith alone. (We should remember how strongly this very subject was contested in the days of Martin Luther)
6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION, Peter got up and addressed them:
Peter was the senior Apostle in Jerusalem at Pentecost, but he waited until others had their say. TRUE AUTHORITY will always allow others their say, Christ was never a dictator.
8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
Peter spoke as an eyewitness to the baptism of the first Gentiles in the Holy Spirit (God had told him to have no hesitation, to go to Cornelius and those waiting with him)
10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of OUR Lord Jesus that WE ARE SAVED, JUST AS THEY ARE.”
These are the last recorded words of Peter in Acts! He refuted any crossover of the Law into the new Church. He also stated that the Jews would only be saved by Faith in Christ. They are a Covenant people, but need their Messiah as much as we do.
The false teachers who went on their own accord to Antioch, disturbed the people and caused a mess in the Church. The Jerusalem leadership then had to make a ruling on the future requirements for the Gentile believers. Something positive, clarity of belief and the new ruling came out of the confusion and misleading teachings. God had placed Peter right at the forefront of the Gentile Church being birthed. Peter the man who’d led at Pentecost, also spoke with authority and countered the arguments of those believers from the ‘party of the Pharisees’. God had more in Mind when he sent Peter with the servants to Cornelius. We don’t always understand the Lord’s dealings in our lives, but He’s wiser than us and knows what our future holds.
God bless and keep you today.