Acts 11:4 - But Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying,
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What does "Acts 11:4" mean?
This verse, Acts 11:4, is the opening to Peter's defense of his actions regarding his visit to Cornelius, a Gentile (non-Jew). Let's break it down:
"But Peter began...": This shows a contrast to what came before. Earlier in the chapter, Peter was being criticized by other Jewish Christians in Jerusalem for having eaten with Gentiles, which was seen as culturally and religiously unacceptable at the time. The "but" signals a shift – Peter is now going to respond to these criticisms.
"...and explained to them...": This indicates that Peter is taking the concerns seriously and intends to offer an explanation for his behavior. He's not being dismissive or arrogant, but rather attempting to clarify his actions.
"...in order, saying,": This is a key phrase. It means that Peter is presenting his explanation in a structured, chronological, and logical sequence. He's carefully laying out the events as they happened, step-by-step. The "saying" leads into the account of his vision, his encounter with Cornelius's messengers, and the subsequent events that led him to believe that God was indeed calling him to minister to Gentiles.
In essence, Acts 11:4 sets the stage for Peter's detailed and orderly justification for his actions. It emphasizes that he is not acting on a whim, but rather on a clear sequence of events and divine guidance. He is preparing to present a logical case to convince his fellow believers that his actions were in accordance with God's will. This verse is important because it marks a turning point in the early church's understanding of its mission to include Gentiles, not just Jews.
Acts 11:4 - But Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying,
What does "Acts 11:4" mean?
This verse, Acts 11:4, is the opening to Peter's defense of his actions regarding his visit to Cornelius, a Gentile (non-Jew). Let's break it down:
"But Peter began...": This shows a contrast to what came before. Earlier in the chapter, Peter was being criticized by other Jewish Christians in Jerusalem for having eaten with Gentiles, which was seen as culturally and religiously unacceptable at the time. The "but" signals a shift – Peter is now going to respond to these criticisms.
"...and explained to them...": This indicates that Peter is taking the concerns seriously and intends to offer an explanation for his behavior. He's not being dismissive or arrogant, but rather attempting to clarify his actions.
"...in order, saying,": This is a key phrase. It means that Peter is presenting his explanation in a structured, chronological, and logical sequence. He's carefully laying out the events as they happened, step-by-step. The "saying" leads into the account of his vision, his encounter with Cornelius's messengers, and the subsequent events that led him to believe that God was indeed calling him to minister to Gentiles.
In essence, Acts 11:4 sets the stage for Peter's detailed and orderly justification for his actions. It emphasizes that he is not acting on a whim, but rather on a clear sequence of events and divine guidance. He is preparing to present a logical case to convince his fellow believers that his actions were in accordance with God's will. This verse is important because it marks a turning point in the early church's understanding of its mission to include Gentiles, not just Jews.