"(He is Lord of all)" (Acts 10:36)

INSPIRED PARENTHESES (9)
"(He is Lord of all)" (Acts 10:36)

THIS particular parenthesis may not seem to warrant more than casual notice. In the setting of a Spirit-empowered proclamation of the great gospel truths of life, death and resurrection, it may almost appear that this is just a passing reference to Christ, as though Peter felt it right to add this little comment that of course Jesus Christ is Lord of all.

It was not in this spirit, though, that the apostle uttered the words. Right as it may have been for the transcriber to enclose them in brackets, they in fact present the very heart and core of Peter's ministry. To him the Lordship of Christ was much more than an essential matter of doctrine; it was a burning reality, brought right up-to-date in his own personal experience. "He is Lord of all."

Peter should know. Not long before, he had thrice voiced the biggest contradiction of all time. Our version renders it: "Not so, Lord", but this is much milder than Peter's refusal. "Never, Lord" was what he said, "By no means", "Surely not"! Sincerely believing in the theory of Christ's Lordship, he dared to take issue with Him, trying to assert that in this matter of sacred and profane he knew better than his Master. To him this distinction of the clean or common was a matter of natural instinct, of conscientious conviction and of scriptural regulation. "Never," he insisted, "no, not ever, will I accept this sweeping away of age-long barriers."

BUT he did! He went into the Gentile house. He took six witnesses to support him, but all the same he went. He went with his mind seething with problems about what was lawful, but he went. And God was with him. God gave him grace to set aside Jewish prejudices which still lingered even in a leading Christian, in favour of the over-riding fact that Jesus Christ is Lord of all.

"Is Jesus Lord of the Gentiles, Peter? All right then, go and preach to them. Is He Lord of the Jerusalem judaizers? If so, then defy them and leave your case in His hands. Is He Lord of your life, Peter? Really your Lord, not only when it is agreeable and convenient, but when you are given an assignment which you dislike and fear? If He is Lord indeed, then you must go 'without gainsaying'."

Peter was making history, though he did not realise it. He was about to witness one of the greatest marvels of all time -- the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit on the nations. Everything, however, seemed to hang on his willingness to stop arguing and yield to the sovereign government of Christ. He did so yield, and this very fact gave an awesome power to the words which he spoke in that Roman household. The terms of his message were simple, but the effect of it was a sensational break-through for God.

OF course Peter was challenged and criticised. His choice of no less than six companions revealed how keenly he anticipated such a reaction. His greatest vindication, however, was not by men but by the Holy Spirit of God, who made it perfectly clear that this was no mere sermonising by man but a divine utterance. He is Lord of all! When this is first experienced in life and then proclaimed in words, the ground is clear for heaven to give its own attestation to the glorious fact.

Peter was on sure ground when he challenged his accusers with the question: "Who was I, that I could withstand God?" Who indeed? It may be a painful experience but it is a most privileged one to have to yield to the sovereign command of the One who is Lord of all, and then to be used by Him to bring life and blessing to others. As believers we may argue. We may find God's ways difficult to understand, and pass through inward suffering as our own set ideas have to be abandoned. We may well have to meet criticism even from our fellow believers. Provided, however, that we capitulate to Christ as Lord of all we can leave the responsibility with Him and go forward to prove the power of the Spirit's working. We need to learn Peter's secret which was to obey "without gainsaying" (10:29).

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