In the early ministry of Jesus Christ, as recorded in Matthew 10:5-6, He instructed the apostles to avoid the Gentiles and the Samaritans, directing them instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. However, by the time of Pentecost and the events in the book of Acts, a significant shift occurred, marking a stage where Christ determined it was time to extend the message to other nations. Despite this outreach, the response from Gentiles often mirrored that of the Jews; unless God was specifically calling individuals, as with Cornelius and his family, Gentiles frequently reacted with persecution, just as many Jews did. As the apostles preached in Gentile areas, such as in Acts 13:42-50, initial interest from Gentiles in cities like Antioch in Pisidia was evident, with many begging to hear more on the next Sabbath. Yet, opposition arose as Jews, filled with envy, contradicted and blasphemed against Paul's teachings, leading Paul and Barnabas to boldly turn their focus to the Gentiles, declaring that the Lord had commanded them to be a light to the Gentiles for salvation to the ends of the earth. While many Gentiles rejoiced and believed, Jewish opposition stirred persecution, ultimately expelling Paul and Barnabas from the region. In Acts 14:1-7, in Iconium, a great multitude of both Jews and Greeks believed due to the apostles' preaching, but unbelieving Jews incited the Gentiles, poisoning their minds against the brethren. This division led to violent attempts by both Gentiles and Jews to abuse and stone the apostles, forcing them to flee to Lystra and Derbe. Later, in Acts 14:19-28, Jews from Antioch and Iconium persuaded Gentile multitudes in Lystra to stone Paul, though he survived and continued preaching, eventually reporting back in Antioch that God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. The tension between Jewish and Gentile believers also surfaced in Acts 15:1-10, where certain men from Judea insisted that Gentile converts must be circumcised according to Mosaic custom to be saved, sparking significant dispute. Peter addressed this at the Jerusalem council, affirming that God had chosen him to bring the gospel to the Gentiles, granting them the Holy Spirit just as He did to the Jews, making no distinction and purifying their hearts by faith. James, in Acts 15:14-21, further declared that God had visited the Gentiles to take out a people for His name, aligning with prophetic words, and judged that they should not trouble Gentile converts with additional burdens beyond abstaining from idolatry, sexual immorality, things strangled, and blood. These events highlight a historical pattern where Gentiles, like Israelites, often initially accepted the gospel but turned to persecution when influenced by opposition or deeper reflection, revealing a shared human nature prone to sin. This recurring behavior underscores the challenges faced by the early church in bridging the divide between Jews and Gentiles as they navigated the expansion of God's message.

The conversion of the Gentile Cornelius and his family took place in Caesarea. God introduced the Gentiles into the church through the back door in order to soften the cultural shock to Jewish pride. Peter stated that it was unlawful for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. God showed Peter that he should not call any man common or unclean. There is no place in any direction God gave in His Word in which He forbids Gentiles from being acceptable to being companions with Jews. It was unlawful by means of Jewish adjustments and traditions added to God's laws. God began converting Gentiles in large enough numbers to establish congregations. Paul writes to a Gentile congregation that they once were called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision. At that time they were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. In Christ Jesus those who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. He Himself is our peace, who has made both one and has broken down the middle wall of division between us. He has abolished in His flesh the enmity that is the law of commandments contained in ordinances so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. Because of the existing Jewish religious regulations combined with mankind's normal carnality the separation between the two peoples could hardly get healed. It became a natural part of both cultures to have a prejudiced wariness of each other that in some cases was outright hatred. This had to be overcome spiritually in order to accept each other and to meet together in the closest bonds of spiritual brotherhood as parts of the same spiritual body that Jesus was forming by means of the church. Judaism was a religion Gentiles were not really accepted at participating in except at a very comfortable distance.

The incident shows not only the conversion of a Gentile but the first major realization by the church that Gentiles were to be accepted into full fellowship with Jews. It also shows the first time that the gospel was taken directly to Gentiles. In every other case prior to this even though there may have been some Gentiles who were converted it was always peripheral. The Jews had for a long time accepted Gentiles into Judaism but not in full fellowship. This situation is the event that changed all of that in the Christian church because the Christian church up until that time was largely Jewish in its thinking. An apostle a man who had spent three and a half years with Jesus Christ and yet it is very evident from his own lips that he was still following many of the same ideas that he brought with him from Judaism. The church's resistance to Gentiles being evangelized and or in direct contact in fellowship in the church is addressed. It shows very clearly that it was God Himself who led the church into this right understanding. It was Peter not Paul that God used in this regard. Since Peter was the chief apostle first among equals it was essential that God begin that work through him. The Jerusalem church's acceptance of the Gentile conversions apart from any previous allegiance to Judaism is a major thing. Peter said you know how that it is unlawful for a Jew to keep company with a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Then Peter opened his mouth and said in truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. While Peter was still speaking these words the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished as many as came with Peter because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. When Peter came up to Jerusalem those of the circumcision contended with him saying you went into uncircumcised men and ate with them. Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning step by step chronologically. If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ who was I that I should withstand God. When they heard these things they became silent and they glorified God saying then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.