Hello Pastor John!
While listening to the Mathew study online, I don’t know what to think about Peter and Paul. Both did exactly what Jesus said not to do while He was alive. If I hear anything that is contrary to what I have learned from you, I immediately dismiss it. How does anyone find it in them to do other than what Jesus said? I fear I would have failed that test!
I pray I will know whose voice I hear always and be given the courage and will to follow if it is from the Lord.
I hope to see you all soon,
Mark W
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Hi Mark.
We must stay full of the Spirit so that we will know the voice of the Lord when he speaks.
God will change His instructions any time He chooses. You know that he told Moses to strike a rock, but later, in another place, He told Moses to just speak to a rock. Moses did not speak to the second rock, but obeyed the old commandment, and he suffered for it.
While Jesus was here, he told his apostles not to go to the Gentiles (Mt. 10), and he gave that commandment because it was not time yet for the Gospel of the Gentiles. When the time came for that Gospel (Acts 10), he gave Peter the command to go to a Gentile’s house and preach. And afterwards, God brought Paul up into heaven and revealed to him that new Gospel and told him to go with it to the Gentiles.
Peter was full enough of the Spirit to know that it was Jesus’ voice telling him to go to a Gentile’s house, which was contrary to what Jesus had told him in person while he was on earth.
Jesus still has things to tell his people, Mark. Let’s keep our conscience clear and our hearts pure so that we will recognize his voice when he speaks!
Pastor John