ACTS 11:17 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?”
'So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God's way?'—Peter's rhetorical argument (epi ti ēmyn to theon kōlyein, 'who was I to resist God?') appeals to divine sovereignty; to refuse Gentiles baptism would be to resist God's own action. The 'same gift' (to ison dōron, 'equal gift') establishes parity and eliminates hierarchy. Peter's humility ('who was I') acknowledges that apostolic authority is subordinate to divine action.
Church Fathers on Acts 11:17
Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as He did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? Acts 11:17 He shows that he had himself done nothing: for the very thing which we have obtained, he says, that same did those men receive. That he may more effectually stop their mouths, therefore he says, The like gift. Do you perceive how he does not allow them to have less: when they believed, says he, the same gift did God give…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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