Definition: But Peter rehearsed [the matter] from the beginning, and expounded [it] by order unto them, saying,
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 11:4. It's a really important passage about how the early church spread their message. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Peter was thinking deeply about something and he explained it to the believers. Let's unpack that: “But Peter rehearsed [the matter]…” : This is a bit of an awkward phrase. “Rehearsed” means to think carefully about something. Peter was thinking about this issue. “…from the beginning” : He started thinking about it right away, not just when he heard about it. “expounded [it] by order unto them” : This is the key part! “Expound” means to explain something clearly and thoroughly. "By order unto them" means Peter explained it to them , meaning he was sharing his thoughts with the people in the church. So, what's happening? Peter was carefully considering this issue – likely a problem or situation that involved Gentiles (non-Jewish people) being welcomed into the Jewish community. He wasn’t just passively hearing about it; he was actively thinking about it and explaining it to his followers. Why is this important? This verse shows that early Christians were very thoughtful and engaged in teaching and sharing their beliefs. It highlights how they were taking a serious approach to spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you an example of how this story might have been interpreted at the time?