What did Peter realize when he remembered the house of Cornelius at the council?
Peter realized that twelve years earlier God had shown him Gentiles in the house of Cornelius could be saved without going through all the demands they required. That remembrance helped him defend Paul's freedom to preach his Gospel, so the Jerusalem council did not hinder Paul's return to Antioch with freedom to preach.
Les explains that Peter and those six Jews had seen what could happen when Gentiles were approached with the Gospel, but instead of going across the Roman Empire they went back to Jerusalem and were called on the carpet for going to Gentiles. Peter calmed them by saying God showed He was in it, yet they all forgot about it for twelve years. When Peter remembered the house of Cornelius at the council, he realized that twelve years earlier God had shown him He could save Gentiles without going through all of what they demanded. Les teaches the bigger purpose was to come to Paul's defense in the Jerusalem council, so they would let Paul go back to Antioch with freedom to preach his Gospel and not plague him every inch of the way.
And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
More Questions
What did Peter say when he rose up at the Jerusalem council?
At the Jerusalem council, after much disputing, Peter stood up and testified that God had long ago used him to speak to Gentiles, referring to the house of Cornelius.