Acts 11:2

They-of the circumcision; the believing Jews.

Contended with him; found fault with him for associating with, and preaching the gospel to Gentiles, called, in verse Acts 11:3, the uncircumcised. They had not yet apprehended the great truth communicated to Peter in the vision at Joppa, that the gospel of Christ knows no distinction between Jews and Gentiles. The church at Jerusalem claimed and exercised the right of private judgment in matters of religion. They had no idea of being satisfied with the conduct of Peter, unless he would give them good reasons for it; and he had no idea that they ought to be satisfied in any other way. He therefore candidly and fully stated the reasons which had satisfied his own mind, and these through the divine blessing, satisfied theirs. Hence, it is evident that he did not claim, and that they did not believe him to be pope, or to possess those prerogatives which have been assumed by his pretended successors.