Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

1. The word spread rapidly. News got to Jerusalem that Gentiles were now being baptized.

2. The phrase "received the word" is used in Acts to indicate acceptance and obedience. See 2:41; 8:14; 11:1; and 17:11.

3. Jewish Christians were still not ready to let go of the Law of Moses.

4. Was this prejudice? No, it was a desire to maintain the rules of the old law.

5. Mentally, they knew that that law was "nailed to the cross." Emotionally, they were deeply ingrained with the regulations that separated Jews from Gentiles.

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Old Testament