When the message comes to the original audience, the first people to receive and read this book, the influence of Judaism was undoubtedly still very strong. Initially, Christian believers were seen as a Jewish sect. Yes, they believed Jesus to be the Christ; they worshipped him as God and prayed in his name (Acts 9:14, Acts 9:20–21). To their minds and understanding he was the fulfillment of Old Testament Scriptures. He did not come to abolish the law and bring about a new religion separate from Judaism. No, he came to bring God’s revelation to completion (Matthew 5:17–18). He came to establish the new covenant that is better than the old, the covenant that the prophets anticipated and looked forward to.

Submitting to Jesus, trusting in Jesus is submission to the same Lord who revealed himself to Moses and Abraham. Indeed, it is the promises made to Abraham that were being fulfilled. It is no surprise then, that Judaism had a strong influence in this community. Yes, Christ brings to fulfillment what came before, but he does not change fundamental principles or realities about who God is and what he wants from his people.

In this context, in this time when old covenant believers are called to embrace the Messiah, it is very important to be clear about the implications of his redemptive work. It needs to be repeated again and again so that believers will know what life in the new covenant ought to look like. That is why the conversion of a Gentile is told a second time. Circumcised believers must realise that they belong even if they have not gone through the traditional rites of the Jewish tradition. They must understand that faith really is the only requirement for membership in God’s church. They must get rid of the idea that they are clean and Gentiles are dirty. The blood of Christ has cleansed all those who believe; the Holy Spirit has saved them through the washing of rebirth and renewal.

Now this is a big change in thinking. Like a cargo ship going at full speed that needs to be turned around. It does not happen in one moment. It takes time; it requires continued repetition. When it comes to welcoming and receiving Gentiles, there is the gulf of past actions and atrocities to be bridged.

To start with, there is the fact that you are a minority group with a distinct culture. You have fought hard to preserve your identity; your ancestors have made lots of sacrifices and now you are called to let go of your preferences for the sake of God’s kingdom. You are called to eat with those who are not circumcised, even to eat food that you might consider unclean if the situation should arise. Admittedly, for those living in the Jewish regions of Judea and Galilee there would be very little compromise when it comes to food. Still, the fact that God calls all food clean means that there can be no objections if you should visit a church where Gentiles are present. A door has been opened, a door which puts your preferences in second place.

Along with food preferences, there is also the general hatred and antipathy which existed. How can you sit at the table with those who sought to kill your ancestors? How can you baptise someone who is part of the regime that wants to put a statue of Caesar in the Temple? It is not easy to simply forget what you have been taught and start living on the basis of different principles. Especially when there is a lot of emotion and pain to overcome.

Finally, there are the age-old traditions that need to be reformed. For centuries it has been the practice that believers are circumcised. For centuries there has been separation between Jew and Gentile. If we must now be part of one body, eating at the same table while ignoring certain traditions, that is a change that will be hotly contested. When your friends and family hear that you have joined the Way, that you believe Jesus to be the Christ, they may hear your reasons about how he has brought promise to fulfillment, but their focus will be on the scandal of eating and welcoming Gentiles. How can you follow a Messiah who teaches you to turn your back on age old traditions? You are going to be labelled as some kind of liberal who rejects authority and wants to justify rebellion. There are going to be a lot of people on your back especially if you live in a predominantly Jewish community.

Just think of Peter. He testifies to the vision that he had. He knows that all food is clean; he knows that Gentile believers fully belong to God’s people. Even so, when the pressure was put on him, when those brothers from Judea came to see what was happening in Antioch, he caved (Galatians 2:1–21). He separated himself from the Gentiles at meal times. He did not want to be known as a liberal; he did not want to upset a strong pressure group; he did not want to give Jews cause for persecuting those who recognised Jesus as the Messiah. If that happened to Peter, to the man who received this vision of Acts 10, the man who spent time with Christ during his earthly ministry, if Peter caved under pressure, surely we can understand why it is so important for this message to be emphasised again and again in the early church where there are a lot of people from an old covenant background?

Change takes time. Especially change which requires a measure of sacrifice, change that takes you outside of your comfort zone, change that puts you under pressure. By God’s grace such a change does happen. Where the circumcised believers are initially sceptical and angry when they hear the news reports of Peter, they come to a place where they praise God for his grace and mercy. The Spirit was at work to transform their thinking. In light of their context and history, it really is remarkable to find them affirming that Gentiles belong, and that they belong without circumcision.

It is worth saying at this point that the mind shift does not result in a lot of Jews suddenly engaging in Gentile mission, certainly not among those who came from Judea and Galilee (see Acts 11:19–20). Nevertheless, it opens the door for others and it results in the church eventually becoming a community where circumcised believers are in the minority. A culture change takes place over time, a culture change which serves the purposes of God’s kingdom.