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We have here —

I. A STRIKING IMPERFECTION IN THE FIRST CHURCH. "The apostles and brethren heard"; and the point to be considered is the highly improper state of mind which the information produced. Instead of rejoicing at the event, and congratulating Peter, they called him to account as a criminal. This imperfection teaches us —

1. That antiquity does not confer infallibility. There are churches which are constantly referring us to the ancient and patristic for the final settlement of theological questions. Nay, there are men of antiquarian proclivities in every Church who refer to the past for the unerring and the perfect. Now, the fact that the Apostolic Church was imperfect exposes this folly.

2. That Christianity does not perfect its disciples at once. Some of these men had attained the rank of apostles, and yet had many errors to correct and habits to overcome. Christian excellence is a growth only, the germ of which is given at conversion; and unless the soil is well looked after, and the noxious weeded out, it will continue a frail and imperfect thing. Christians must "grow in grace," etc.

II. A GREAT MAN CENSURED FOR A FEEBLE WORK; which teaches us —

1. That Peter was not regarded as an infallible dictator in spiritual matters. The circumstance that he was called to account by the whole body of Christians goes against the assumption that he was vicar of Christ — the pope. "Call no man rabbi: one is your Master, even Christ."

2. That men's works must not be determined by the judgment of contemporaries. The best works have generally met with contemporary censure. Men ahead of their time awaken envy and alarm. The greatest theologians have been the heretics of their age, and the greatest heroes its martyrs.

III. AN INSPIRED APOSTLE CONCILIATING HIS BRETHREN. There was nothing of the haughtiness of modern primacy about Peter. He might have heard in silence and withdrawn in contempt, or denounced their ingratitude and narrowness. Instead of that he listens attentively, and offers a calm, generous, dignified reply.

1. He recites facts — those of the previous chapter, with the exception of his sermon which was productive of such mighty results. He bases his defence, not on what he said, but on what God did, which —

(1)  Indicates his own modesty;

(2)  rebukes vanity in preachers.

2. He makes an appeal (ver. 17). This is the logic of his address — God had unmistakably indicated His will; who was he that he should oppose it?

III. A GLORIOUS VICTORY OVER AN OLD PREJUDICE (ver. 18).

1. They heartily acquiesced in the fact: "They held their peace," feeling that the apostle had done the right thing.

2. They devoutly rejoiced in the fact: "They glorified God." That which had pained them now filled them with delight.

3. They joyfully declared the fact: "Then hath God," etc.

(1)  Salvation is the life of man.

(2)  Repentance is essential to salvation.

(3)  Repentance is the gift of God through the gospel ministry.

(D. Thomas, D. D.)

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KJV: And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

WEB: Now the apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.