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MESSAGE SERIES: “CHURCH ON THE MOVE”
Acts 11:1-18

INTRODUCTION: Our message series is called Church on the Move and the last couple weeks we have been seeing how the gospel first moved from the Jews to the Gentiles. As we mentioned previously, this interaction between Peter and Cornelius was a key event in the early church. It forms the longest narrative in the book of Acts, and it launches the third stage in Jesus’ commission, preparing the way for the gospel to move to the ends of the earth.

We have seen that there were two main obstacles as far as the gospel going to the Gentiles. The first was the issue of table fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers. The second was whether Gentiles had to become Jews before they could become Christians.

God settled both of those issues for Peter in the preceding narrative. But the Jewish believers in Jerusalem weren’t convinced, and when Peter returns, he faces something we all hate to face—criticism. (Read Acts 11:1-3 and pray.)

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Thom Rainer has a ministry to pastors and churches. One time he sent out a survey to Christian leaders to learn how they responded to anonymous critical letters. He catalogued the answers and found five common themes. The following are listed in order of frequency of response.

Five Different Ways Leaders Respond to Anonymous Critical Letters
https://ministrytodaymag.com/leadership/pastoral-care/20340-5-different-ways-leaders-respond-to-critical-anonymous-letters

1. They quickly dispose of the letters. By far the most common response was to get the letter out of sight as quickly as possible. Many leaders simply do not believe an anonymous critic warrants any attention.

2. They never see them. A significant number of leaders have assistants who read their mail. They have been instructed to dispose of anonymous letters before the leader sees them. Some give the assistants the latitude to make exceptions if they deem the content really warrants it.

3. They ask confidants if any of the criticisms have merit. Only about one-fourth of leaders responding take this path. Some say they will go to their spouses first for insight and perspective.

4. They pray for the critic. Though the number was relatively small, some leaders did take this action. “The critic is obviously angry or hurting,” one leader responded. “The least I can do is to pray for that person.”

5. They make the criticism public. A relatively small number of leaders will actually send copies of the criticism to a larger body. They then ask the group for any perspective they can offer.

So, you may be wondering, how do I handle critical letters? I’ll tell you at the end of the message after we’ve seen how Peter handled criticism here in Acts 11.

We all need to learn how to deal with criticism, even and especially in the church. Too many people have been sidelined in ministry because of criticism from others. Criticism can discourage people, destroy unity and disrupt the work of the gospel.

The Bible is full of wisdom and instruction on how to give and receive criticism. We need to learn what the Bible teaches us in this area so that we can be encouragers rather than discouragers, so that we can remain unified in the body of Christ, and so that the work of the gospel can go forth unhindered.

I. There will always be critics! (1-3)

First of all, know that there will always be critics. No matter what you do, no matter how well you do it, no matter how noble your motives—there will always be someone who will find the negative in the positive and choose the route of criticism rather than encouragement. You need to be prepared for that.

Peter discovered that in our passage today. Look at verses 1-3:

The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.” (Acts 11:1-3)

The news about what had happened with the Gentiles began to spread. The apostles heard about it in Jerusalem. Other believers heard about it throughout Judea. You would think people would be glad that the Gentiles received the word of God. But when Peter got back to Jerusalem, instead of rejoicing there was criticism. The circumcised believers criticized him specifically on the point of table fellowship with the Gentiles. They didn’t know all the details, they didn’t know all the facts, but somehow, they just “knew” that Peter must have been wrong.

How often do we criticize things we don’t understand? How often do we pronounce judgment before gathering all the facts? How often do we make assumptions about people’s motives?

Notice there was almost a “reverse” Great Commission going on here. Jesus told the disciples: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Sure enough, the gospel started in Jerusalem and Judea, went to the Samaritans, and then Peter shared the gospel with the Gentiles.

But what happened next? News of what happened with Peter and the Gentiles made its way back through Judea and then all the way back to Jerusalem. And when Peter gets back to Jerusalem, instead of a glad reception that the Gentiles have come to Christ, he encounters criticism.

This was a crisis point for the early church. Would they accept Gentiles into the church or not? Would they rejoice in what God was doing or criticize what people were doing? There will always be critics. And so, we need to learn how to deal with criticism biblically.

II. Peter explains his actions (4-17)

When Peter encountered criticism, what did he do? Did he get mad? Did he start telling them all the things they did wrong? Did he walk off in a huff? No. He explained his actions. Remember, the people in Jerusalem didn’t have all the information. So, Peter explained to them what happened.

   A. He explained the vision (4-10)

First, he explained the vision. Look at verses 4-10:

Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened: “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’
“I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’
“The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.” (Acts 11:4-10)

They didn’t know about the vision, so Peter tells them about it. He tells them how he was praying in Joppa when God showed him the sheet full of unclean animals. He tells them about the voice that told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” He tells them that he responded the same way that any of those criticizing him would have: “Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.” He tells them what the voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” He tells them how this all happened three times—God was making a point here—and then the sheet was taken back to heaven. He explained the vision to them.

Sometimes God gives you a vision for ministry. People don’t understand the vision, so they criticize your actions. That’s when you need to sit down and explain the vision to others so they can understand what God has laid on your heart. Perhaps God will use that back and forth to sharpen your vision for ministry and bring others on board. Peter explained the vision.

   B. He explained God’s timing of events (11-14)

Next, he explained God’s timing of events. Look at verses 11-14:

“Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’” (Acts 11:11-14)

It wasn’t just the vision but God’s timing in all this that was significant. Peter tells them it was right then—right when the vision finished—that the men from Caesarea arrived. The Spirit told Peter to go with them, so he went. He brought six brothers with him who are now there with Peter in Jerusalem as eyewitnesses of these events.

Peter tells how they all entered Cornelius’ house and how Cornelius shared with them about the angel he had seen in a vision telling him to send for Peter who would bring them a message through which they would all be saved. So, of course he listened to the angel. He sent for Peter in Joppa, and God worked all the timing out so that Peter had just finished his vision when the men arrived.

This was too much for coincidence. God was clearly working on both sides of the equation, and God’s timing of events confirmed this.

   C. He explained why he responded as he did (15-17)

Finally, Peter explained why he responded as he did. Look at verses 15-17:

“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?” (Acts 11:15-17)

When the Spirit came on the Gentiles, Peter remembered what Jesus had said right before he went back to heaven: “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:5). If God gave these Gentile believers the same gift of the Spirit that he gave to the Jewish believers at Pentecost, what else could Peter do? You’re either with God or against him, so Peter joined with God in what he was doing, and he baptized the new Gentile believers in Christ.

III. The people’s response (18)

Peter explained all these things, and, giving credit where credit is due, his critics listened to him. They listened! How often do we criticize someone but then we’re unwilling to listen when they try to explain themselves? In this case Peter explained, the people listened, and so now we come to the people’s response. Look at verse 18:

When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.” (Acts 11:18)

You can sum up the people’s response with three phrases: 1) they had no further objections; 2) they praised God (that’s what they should have done in the first place instead of criticizing); 3) they came to a new understanding. It’s amazing how you can come to a new understanding when you are willing to listen.

The story has a happy ending. They let go of their criticism, and they praised God saying, “God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”

APPLICATIONS: There will always be critics. But here’s the thing. Sometimes you’re the critic! Sometimes you’re the one doing the criticizing. We need to learn how to deal with criticism biblically, both from the standpoint of giving and receiving criticism. So here are some biblical principles to keep in mind when dealing with criticism.

Before giving criticism:

First, here are five principles to follow before giving criticism.

1) Take a close look at yourself first (Matthew 7:3-5)

Number one: take a close look at yourself first. You don’t start with the other person. You start with you. Jesus said: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matt. 7:3-5). Before you criticize anyone else, take a close look at yourself. There’s a whole host of problems we need to take care of in our own lives before we set about fixing other people’s problems.

2) Make sure you have all the facts (Proverbs 18:17; 1 Cor. 13:6)

Number two: make sure you have all the facts. That was part of the problem with the Jewish believers in Jerusalem. They didn’t have all the facts, and yet here they were criticizing Peter for his actions.

Proverbs 18:17 says: “The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.” 1 Corinthians 13:6 says: “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” We shouldn’t base our criticism on rumor or hearsay. We should always seek to know the truth before passing judgment.

By the way, this especially applies to your interactions on the internet and social media. Social media is full of distortions and half-truths. We are often quick to join the outrage and publicly denounce certain people or situations when we don’t have all the facts. Many times, we will never have all the facts, so maybe it’s better to be quiet or post something positive instead.

3) Assume the best of people (1 Corinthians 13:7)

Number three: assume the best of people. This was another part of the problem with the believers in Jerusalem. Instead of assuming Peter had good reasons for his actions and asking him about them, they immediately jumped to judgment and accusation. 1 Corinthians 13:7 says about love: “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” Love assumes the best of people, while a judgmental spirit assumes the worst.

4) Be open to new ideas (Isaiah 43:19)

Number four: be open to new ideas. God says in Isaiah 43:19: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” God was doing a new thing with the Gentiles, but the believers in Jerusalem did not perceive it. By immediately jumping to criticism, they were not only acting against Peter, but they were also acting against God who was leading Peter in this new direction.

A lot of times we criticize someone just because they are trying something new. We don’t like change, so instead of seeing how things work out, we immediately move to criticism. God loves doing new things. Do you love doing new things?

5) Only speak words that build people up (Ephesians 4:29)

Finally, number five: only speak words that build people up. We read in Ephesians: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Eph. 4:29).

Sometimes criticism can be necessary or helpful, but we need to be sure we present it in a positive manner. So, if you’ve gone through the previous four steps—you’ve taken a close look at yourself first; you’ve gathered all the facts; you’re assuming the best of people; you’re open to new ideas—and you still believe criticism is necessary or helpful in the situation, make sure you share it in such a way that helps the other person rather than discourages them.

Too many people in this world have been discouraged by unnecessary or unhelpful criticism. Aim to have the reputation of a person who lifts people up rather than knocking them down.

When receiving criticism:

Those are five biblical principles to follow when giving criticism. But what about when you are on the receiving end? Here are five more biblical principles to follow when receiving criticism.

1) Consider the content (Proverbs 15:32)

Number one: consider the content. Proverbs 15:32 says: “He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.” Listen to the content of the criticism. It may not be easy to hear, but is it valid? Does the person have a point?

Wisdom says we should pause to consider the content of the criticism, even when the other person doesn’t deliver it well. Maybe the person didn’t follow any of the five steps we talked about earlier. That doesn’t mean the criticism isn’t valid. It just wasn’t delivered well.

2) Consider the source (Matt. 7:6)

Number two: consider the source. Jesus said: “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces” (Matt. 7:6).

Some people are always critical of others. They have a reputation for bearing a judgmental spirit. You should still consider the content of what they have said but also consider the source. I would be much more concerned about criticism coming from a trusted friend than from a loose cannon.

3) Pause and pray (James 1:5)

Number three: pause and pray. The book of James says: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). Notice God gives generously without finding fault. That’s the exact opposite of a critical spirit.

We all need wisdom all the time, and God promises to give us the wisdom we need when we ask. So, after receiving criticism, stop and ask God for wisdom. Ask for wisdom to discern if the criticism is correct. Ask for wisdom to know how best to respond. Ask for wisdom to determine how best to proceed. Pray about the criticism, and then pray for the person who criticized you as well. Perhaps they’re hurting. Perhaps they’ve been criticized. Maybe they’re just lashing out.

4) Talk to the person – explain! (Acts 11:4-17; 2 Tim. 2:24-25)

Number four: talk to the person! Explain the situation. Don’t talk to everyone else about it. Talk directly with them. That’s what Peter did. The believers in Jerusalem didn’t have all the facts, so he filled them in. The story had a happy ending. Once they understood the situation better, they withdrew their criticism, and they were all able to move forward together.

But watch your manner when you do this. Paul writes in 2 Timothy: “The Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct” (2 Tim. 2:24–25). Don’t make things worse by responding harshly. As you talk with the person, do so in a gentle, non-confrontive manner.

5) Make changes where necessary (Proverbs 15:31)

And then, finally: make changes where necessary. Guess what? You may be wrong! Nobody likes criticism, but sometimes the critics are right. You need to be open to that and open to change.

Proverbs 15:31 says: “He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.” Do you want to be at home among the wise? Then listen to the life-giving rebuke. Sometimes criticism is accurate and necessary, and we need to make appropriate changes. We may also need to offer sincere apologies to those we have hurt along the way.

So, how do I handle critical letters and criticism in general? I don’t throw the letter away without reading it. Of course, I don’t frame it and put it on my wall either. I don’t ignore the criticism. I try to follow these principles we have just looked at in God’s word. Sometimes I do better than other times, but the closer I follow these principles, the better the situation eventually turns out.

There will always be critics. Now that you understand what the Bible teaches about how to give and receive criticism, I pray you will be careful to apply these principles when offering constructive criticism to others and also when you are on the receiving end of criticism yourself. In summary, when giving criticism, do so in love. When receiving criticism, do so in humility.

© Ray Fowler

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