The Spirit of Peace and Harmony

“If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” (Acts 11:17-18 NKJV)

How did the church in Jerusalem maintain the unity of peace and harmony even when it was threatened in an explosive way? It is recorded in the Book of Acts Chapter 10 and 11. By the careful and delicate guidance of the Spirit, Peter entered into the household of Roman centurion, Cornelius, and preached Lord Jesus and baptized them and ate with them. It drew the severe accusations and criticisms on Peter by the circumcised Jews (Acts 11:2-3). It was the moment of open door for the devil to break up the Jerusalem church.

But Peter behaved rather remarkably in love, kindness, and patience just as the Lord Jesus Christ did for the sinners like us. He was not at all in resentment and anger even when he was completely misunderstood and accused without a cause. He approached this issue with patient love and forbearance to the brothers in the same faith. What he did was the exact reflection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:21-25 NKJV)

Peter, though he failed miserably, denying Lord Jesus three times at the most crucial hours, did fully realize the very presence of Lord Jesus in their midst. John saw a great vision and recorded in the Book of Revelation the One who is and who was and who is to come.

“Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.” (Revelation 1:12-16 NKJV)

Just as Peter was revealed to kill and eat the unclean animals and to enter into the household of the Gentiles by the Spirit, he was filled with the Spirit when he explained the whole story to his fellow brothers in Christ Jesus. He did not speak grudgingly or resentfully but understandingly and truthfully. He manifested the brotherly love, speaking truth in love. It wasn’t his flesh that did it but his spirit filled with the Spirit of God did. He fully submitted himself to the Lordship of Jesus Christ who was present in the congregation. He did not succumb to the situations or circumstances, but rather fully offered his body as a living sacrifice for the sake of the body of Christ. He did not claim his rights but rather denounced them just as Lord Jesus did until the name of God was glorified and the peace and harmony of God came to fruition.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2 NKJV)