In this last article dealing with “hermeneutics,” and really just looking at what we have called: “Hermeneutics 101;” we will undertake to reach an understanding of Peter’s words at the house of Cornelius. Of course, this means our attention will be directed to Acts chapter ten. Here we will answer those questions which fall within “hermeneutics 101:” 1) Who is talking, 2) To whom is he talking, 3) When was it spoken, and 4) Why was it said?
In answering the four questions, our aim is getting the foundation which puts our feet on sound ground, as we desire to reach a correct understanding of the inspired word of God! In doing this, we are within the words of Paul to Timothy: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Before even looking at the text of Acts 10:41-42; we must get a correct understanding; please notice the points that Paul makes to Timothy: 1) an obligation, “study;” 2) a desire and opportunity, “to shew thyself; 3) a most high end, “approved unto God; 4) a goal, “a workman that needeth not to be ashamed; and 5) the means of reaching the first four points: “rightly dividing the word of truth!” Clearly, every person has an obligation to: “rightly divide the word of truth!” With these thoughts in our mind, we turn our attention to the text under study.
First, who is speaking? We learn that the apostle Peter is speaking (Acts 10:21, 26, 34). Second, to whom is Peter speaking? Peter is speaking to Cornelius and all that were at this house (verse 24). Third, when is it being said? The time is after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ; therefore, it was said during the early years of the “age of Christ.” (By using the words, “the age of Christ,” we mean the time, age, when people are under the authority of Christ.) And fourth, why was it said? It was said that Cornelius and all with him, had the opportunity to hear and obey the gospel of Christ and be saved! With the four questions now having been answered, let us turn our attention to the text of Acts 10:41-42.
The text reads: “Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead” (Acts 10:41-42). Now, why are these two verses so important that they need our attention? First, let us get the subject; Peter had just said: “And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly” (Acts 10:39-40). The subject is Jesus and what he did and what God did; Peter ends with: “whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly.” Second, it is remarkable to some, to learn that Luke as he writes of this event, that he uses the pronoun “we” when writing of what Peter said. Who is this “we?” Could it be Peter and the six brethren that came with him? No, once more as we learned in the last article, the inspired writer or speaker, being an apostle, used a plural pronoun when the apostles are the understood antiseant! Notice that Peter said, it was not given to everyone, to be “witnesses,” as Peter said it was not to all but: “Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God.” This is followed with, as Peter further identifies who is included in the pronoun “we:” “even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.” If you will recall Luke’s words as he opens “The Acts of the Apostles,” writing of Jesus:” “Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Spirit had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:2-3). These words go hand in hand with the words of our text! Then, in Acts 1: 8: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Therefore, Peter said: “Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God.” If you will put Luke’s “witnesses” in chapter one, verse eight; with Peter’s “witnesses” in Acts ten, verses 39 and 41; then, you will know who the plural pronoun “we” is that Peter uses when he said the same thing in our text. The “witnesses” are the apostles!
However, Peter does not stop here, but said: “And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead” (verse 42). What do we have? We have Peter’s “we” and now his “us” being the same group: the apostles of Christ; who are the “them” in Acts 1:2-3! This goes, once more, “hand in hand” with Jesus’ words: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15; see verse 14, “the eleven”). Therefore, the “ye,” the “we,” the “them” and the “us,” are the apostles of Christ!
It must be understood that the apostles of Christ were a group, class, unlike any other! They were given “powers” and responsibilities that no others had!
Frank R. Williams