In Acts 11:1–18, Peter has to justify the baptism and acceptance of Gentiles into the new covenant community without them undergoing circumcision and submitting to old covenant purity laws. His actions have challenged the thinking of believers strongly influenced by Judaism.1 They thought that Jesus came to perfect and continue the old covenant so that all of its laws and precepts remain valid.2 As such, not everyone was excited about the Gentiles entering the church on the same terms as the Jews, that is, faith in Christ.3
When Peter was told by the Lord that unclean animals are declared clean, it took him a while to comprehend and submit to what he was told (Acts 10:9–28). If that was true for Peter, one can imagine that it must have been difficult also for a number of other believers in the early church. Even though he was a spokesperson for the Twelve Apostles and a key leader, his decisions are not automatically accepted. An official church gathering was subsequently called in which Peter would explain his actions so that there can be consensus (agreement) and unity.4 Such a consensus is vitally important for the future of the church.5
If we assume that Peter’s visit to Caesarea took place sometime between AD 39 and 41, then it was during a period where there was a lot of political conflict between Jews and Roman officials.6
1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.