The disciples and the first Christian leaders had no written code to guide them as we have in the New Testament. They depended on what they remembered what Jesus did and on the precedent the Holy Spirit set on Pentecost and with Cornelius in Caesarea (Acts 2; 10). Hence, the "Will of God" for the first Christians was what Jesus did and what Jesus had taught and commanded. The Church was in the world and subject to new interpretation and understanding by the emerging of new leaders. Divisions, disagreements, and temptations were unavoidable. Jesus warned his disciples, not to assume roles of superiority over their fellow believers when decisions have to be made. They were to remember that forgiveness was the fastest way to reach agreements and avoid endless disputing.

Peter began his new journey in Joppa in a prayer room. His experience with Aeneas and Tabitha (Dorcas) had lifted him to his highest spiritual mountain. Peter felt clean and at peace with himself; and therefore, he had determined in his heart to stay up there. He was away from being persecuted and being held the responsible for the flock, because James, the half-brother of the Lord, had secured command over the huge gathering of disciples. At that time, everyone was a disciple and they belonged to the "Way" of Jesus. While Peter was enjoying some serenity, a message, from heaven came about a forbidden people, which disrupted his sleep. Luke recorded this phenomenal meeting of two men from different backgrounds, from different creeds, and from different races. To Peter’s surprise, and without the laying on of his hands, the Holy Spirit settled on all Gentile believers in Cornelius’ household. A second Pentecost had taken place.

In the eyes of God all men are equal! But, --- not so in the eyes of man! The founder of Christianity, Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, came to be equal to his followers. And Jesus taught his disciples to be and do as He was and what He did. The disciples did follow the teachings Jesus, but not their descendants. Their descendants, like the children of Israel, strayed away from the teachings of Jesus, which allowed them to be disciples of Jesus. And therefore, they became disciples of men, who set themselves up as the true representatives of Christ and of God. These men turned “baptism” into a magical power of salvation, which could be obtained at a price from one of the duly ordained priests of these divinized leaders. These elevated individual leaders of the Church, and not the world, would become the heartless persecutors of those who did seek to follow the teachings of Christ. These heartless leaders regarded those individuals who believed that they had direct access to Christ, as heretics. Jesus warned against such times, when men would drift from His example and pervert His teachings, very much like the Jewish leaders did in their days. Jesus, Himself, had not come to be served but to serve. And Jesus expected no less from the men He had chosen to emulate Him.