Was Peter commissioned to go to Gentiles in general, or only to the house of Cornelius?
Peter was not commissioned to go to Gentiles in general, but only to the house of Cornelius for a specific purpose. The Jerusalem believers of the circumcision still operated under the law, and God had not yet revealed the secret of grace going to the Gentiles, so Peter’s visit was exceptional.
Les explains that Peter was not commissioned to the Gentiles in general, only to the house of Cornelius for a purpose he would show later. When Peter went up to Jerusalem, believing Jews of the circumcision contended with him because he had gone into uncircumcised men and ate with them. Their mentality was still law: Gentile food was not kosher, and Gentiles were viewed as uncircumcised dogs. They could not visit or eat with Gentiles. This was seven or eight years after Pentecost, because God had not yet revealed the secret of grace going to the Gentiles; He was still dealing with the nation of Israel under the law. Even Ananias was a devout man after the law. Peter was not aware that God was going to Gentiles.