PETER IN ACTS 9 - 11
“I being in the way, Jehovah has led me to the house of my master’s brethren”, Genesis 24: 27. This passage covers the apostle’s position or course as presented in these chapters.
In the earlier chapters (1 to 5) his lead is evident. In chapter 5 mention is made of his shadow, cures evidently being effected thereby. This points to spiritual substance — what was there in him. After this Peter is not mentioned by name until chapter 8 where, with John, he is sent to Samaria. He seems, therefore, to represent the spiritual wealth in the assembly. Others, such as Stephen and Philip, are used actively. At Samaria Peter takes the lead to meet an emergency, but otherwise he is personally out of view until chapter 9: 32. Here we see him passing through all quarters; that is, he is “in the way”, in the current of the mind of God, for this was now bearing toward the nations. His movement suggests spiritual sensitiveness, and now, being “in the way”, he is divinely led. He is enlightened and prepared at Joppa to go to the house of Cornelius at Caesarea — to use the keys the Lord gave him to admit the gentiles into the kingdom.
In chapter 12 Peter is an object of attack by the enemy, but preserved, evidently representing spiritual wealth of experience and authority, brought forward again in chapter 15.
The divine pains taken to prepare Peter to receive the gentiles, and Ananias to receive Saul, are touching and instructive.