Peter returned to Jerusalem because his commission was not to go out to the Gentiles generally; his visit to Cornelius was a divinely directed exception, not the start of a broader Gentile ministry.
Les points out that Peter went straight back to Jerusalem after witnessing the salvation of Cornelius's household. There was no indication that Peter's eyes had been opened to begin a general ministry to the Gentiles. In the interval before Acts 15, Peter continued dealing with the nation of Israel. The Cornelius visit was a distinct, divinely directed event, and Peter later used it to defend Paul's Gentile ministry.
Acts 11:2-3 — Records that when Peter came up to Jerusalem, circumcision believers contended with him for entering uncircumcised men's home and eating with them.
Acts 15:7 — Peter's own explanation, years later, that God made choice that the Gentiles by his mouth should hear the gospel.
The book of Acts records that Peter came up to Jerusalem after the events at Caesarea. Acts 11:2-3 says the circumcision believers contended with him, saying, 'Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.' The Scripture does not describe Peter beginning a tour of Gentile cities after this event. Instead, it shows him back in Jerusalem and later, in Acts 15, reminding the council 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.'
Les teaches that Peter's visit to Cornelius was not the beginning of a Gentile mission. Immediately after the event, Peter went back to Jerusalem. God had forced him to go to Cornelius, and even as he preached Peter was thinking, 'Why am I giving this to Gentiles?' He had no idea that God's purposes were moving toward the Gentile world. Les emphasizes that in the interval before Acts 15, Peter did not go to Gentiles; he 'went right back to Jerusalem' and continued dealing with his own people, the nation of Israel. When he arrived in Jerusalem, Jewish believers of the circumcision contended with him because he had gone into men uncircumcised and eaten with them. In Acts 15, Peter came to Paul's defense and reminded the leadership that 'a good while ago God by my mouth took the Gospel to the Gentiles,' which Les says is what spared Paul's ministry.
After the Gentile household was saved in Caesarea, Peter came up to Jerusalem. Acts 11:2-3 says the believing Jews 'that were of the circumcision contended with him' and said, 'Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.' Les points out that they were putting Peter on the spot and that their reaction showed their thinking was still tied to the law.
No, according to Les. He says Peter went right back to Jerusalem and there is no indication that now he had his eyes open that he goes to Gentiles. During the interval of about thirteen years until Acts 15, Peter was still dealing only with the nation of Israel. The apostle to the Gentiles was Paul, saved in Acts 9, and the wider Gentile work came through Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13.
Les says the believing Jews contended with Peter because he entered the home of uncircumcised men and ate with them. They were still tied to law-keeping and kosher restrictions. Peter himself was uncomfortable and said it was unlawful for a Jew to come into the house of another nation, even though God had shown him not to call any man common or unclean.
In Acts 15, after much disputing, Peter remembered that a good while ago God by his mouth went to the Gentiles. Les says this is what spared Paul's ministry. Peter, along with James and John, perceived the grace given to Paul and gave him the right hand of fellowship: Paul and Barnabas would go to the Gentiles, while they went to the circumcision.
Holy Spirit fell before baptism at Cornelius' house
Les describes how the believing Jews with Peter were astonished because the Holy Spirit was poured out on Gentiles and they spoke with tongues, showing this was an unprecedented event.
Peter returns to Jerusalem after Cornelius
Les explicitly says that after Peter witnessed the salvation of the Gentile household, he went back to Jerusalem, and there is no indication he began going to Gentiles.
Peter stayed in Jerusalem for about thirteen years
Les says that in the period from Cornelius to Acts 15, Peter did not go to Gentiles at all; he went right back to Jerusalem and continued dealing only with the nation of Israel.
Peter had no idea the gospel was about to go to the Gentile world
Les says Peter was thinking, 'Why am I giving this to Gentiles?' He had no idea that God's purpose was about to move outward to the Gentile world, explaining why he didn't launch a Gentile campaign.
Circumcision believers contended with Peter in Jerusalem
Les points to Acts 11:2-3 where Jewish believers contended with Peter because he entered uncircumcised men's home and ate with them, showing their law-based, kosher mindset.
Peter's vision about clean and unclean
Les explains Peter learned from the sheet vision not to call any man common or unclean, but he was still uncomfortable going to Cornelius because it was unlawful for a Jew.
Division of labor between Peter and Paul
Les teaches that Peter, James, and John perceived the grace given to Paul and gave him the right hand of fellowship for the Gentile ministry, thirteen years after Peter went to Cornelius.
Peter's defense of Paul in Acts 15
Les explains that Peter came to Paul's defense at the Jerusalem council and referred to God sending him to Cornelius, which opened his eyes to the fact that God could save Gentiles without making them proselytes.
Acts 10:44-45: While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Shows the extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Gentiles and the astonishment of the believing Jews with Peter.
Acts 11:2-3: And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
Records Peter's return to Jerusalem and the objection raised by Jewish believers.
Acts 15:7: 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.
Peter's own explanation at the Jerusalem council that God used him to bring the gospel to the Gentiles a good while earlier.
No, according to Les Feldick. Peter went right back to Jerusalem and continued dealing with the nation of Israel. In the years before Acts 15, there is no indication that he began going to Gentiles.
They were believing Jews of the circumcision. They contended with him because he had gone into the home of uncircumcised men and eaten with them, showing their thinking was still tied to law and kosher restrictions.
Les says no. Peter was forced by God to go to Cornelius for a distinct divine purpose, but Peter himself had no idea God was about to move to the Gentile world. The general Gentile mission came later through Paul and Barnabas.
Peter reminded the council that a good while ago God by his mouth took the gospel to the Gentiles. Les says this defense is what spared Paul's ministry.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did the Holy Spirit Fall BEFORE Baptism? Acts 10