Peter had been called before the church council in Jerusalem. They were alarmed that the apostle had abandoned his traditional Jewish belief that God was offended if His people visited Gentiles in their homes (Acts 10:28). They felt that Peter's behaviour had dishonoured the Lord. So he explained how it was all the Lord's idea, and he had only been obedient. The result of his preaching about Jesus was that the Holy Spirit filled them, just as He filled the disciples at Pentecost (Acts 2:4).

As the Lord led Peter in this new gospel encounter, the apostle remembered that Jesus had recently reminded them of John's prophecy: God's servants can baptise people in water but only God's Son can authorise them to be baptised (overwhelmed and filled) with the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:16; Acts 1:5). In Cornelius' house, the Spirit had obviously filled them, so it would have been wrong not to baptise them in water (Matthew 28:19-20).

The effect of Peter's straightforward evidence was that the church leaders understood that God was doing a new thing (Isaiah 43:19). Instead of clinging onto their tradition, they were willing to praise God that He wanted to bring Gentiles to eternal life. It was a new chapter and they were glad that God had opened it. Although the visit to Cornelius was Peter's experience, it became a pivotal lesson for the whole church preparing them to take the gospel to the Gentile-dominated world (Acts 26:15-18).

Criticism, about the good things God is teaching us, is always a gospel opportunity (even when it leads to persecution as in Acts 7:54-60). Our humble explanation about what the Lord has done will not only enable people to understand us, but also help them to understand what God is doing. The Lord is in command of all gospel mission; He expects us to learn from what He is teaching other people, and others to learn from us. Initially, we may be critical of an unconventional mission venture, but ask the questions and look for the marks of divine authenticity (and consistency with Scripture). When God has led you in an unusual way, simply tell the story and let Him validate you and glorify Himself.