Unstoppable! 'Why Eat with Them?' — Acts 11:2-3

The expressed objection of the Jewish Christians in this passage was not to Peter's preaching to Cornelius and other Gentiles and baptizing them. Rather, they had a problem with Peter's extending full fellowship to Cornelius along with his Gentile relatives and friends. The Gentiles didn't require that their foods meet the Jewish dietary restrictions or that the food preparation follow Jewish cleanliness practices — these Gentile foods and practices were not kosher. But Peter's vision had addressed exactly these concerns (Acts 10:9-15). Also, these Gentile converts were not taught to obey the law of Moses. Many of the early Jewish believers wondered how Gentile Christians could be acceptable to God. The Jewish believers were shocked that Peter spent time in Cornelius' house and ate at Cornelius' table with Gentiles. The next several chapters of Acts will reveal more about this struggle. We must recognize that full fellowship — eating together and spending time in each other's homes — is an essential part of Christian fellowship. Without it, we are not a real family. This truth means we MUST reach out and practice hospitality with each other, especially those who are different from us and outside our normal circle of relationships.