Acts Chapter 11
1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2 When Peter had come up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended with him,
3 saying, "You went in to uncircumcised men, and ate with them!"
4 But Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying,
5 "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain container descending, like it was a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners. It came as far as me.
6 When I had looked intently at it, I considered, and saw the four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky.
7 I also heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter, kill and eat!'
8 But I said, 'Not so, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered into my mouth.'
9 But a voice answered me the second time out of heaven, 'What God has cleansed, don't you call unclean.'
10 This was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.
11 Behold, immediately three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent from Caesarea to me.
12 The Spirit told me to go with them, without discriminating. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house.
13 He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying to him, 'Send to Joppa, and get Simon, who is called Peter,
14 who will speak to you words by which you will be saved, you and all your house.'
15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.
16 I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John indeed baptised in water, but you will be baptised in the Holy Spirit.'
17 If then God gave to them the same gift as us, when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?"
18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!"
19 They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only.
20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22 The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch,
23 who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord.
24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.
25 Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul.
26 When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
27 Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28 One of them named Agabus stood up, and indicated by the Spirit that there should be a great famine all over the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius.
29 As any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea;
30 which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Footnotes
- Verse 1 (Brothers)
- The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."
- Verse 20 (Hellenist)
- A Hellenist is someone who keeps Greek customs and culture.
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Acts Chapter 11 Guide
It is very interesting to note how slowly the prejudices of the Hebrew Christians gave way, and yet how amenable they were to the evidences as they appeared. The apostles and the brethren at Jerusalem felt that Peter had taken a wrong step, yet when he stated all the facts of the case and realized that the work was indeed that of the Spirit, they laid aside their prejudices and followed the light.
The apparent calamity of the scattering abroad of the Christians really issued in the great missionary movement which practically occupies the whole of the remaining part of the book. In Antioch a remarkable work followed the preaching of certain men with the result that the Church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas thither.
What he saw gladdened his heart, and, realizing the importance of the movement, he went to Tarsus to seek Saul. Then followed a year's work in Antioch under the direction of these men.
Agabus appears here, and once again in the narrative (21:10). On both occasions he is seen exercising the prophetic gift in its predictive element. A famine which he announced is matter of history. What is valuable in chronicling it in the sacred record is that it was a crisis which brought out the true Christian spirit of these Gentile Christians. There can be little doubt that they were conscious of the suspicion of the Jewish brethren; yet every man of them, according to his ability, contributed toward the relief which was sent by Barnabas and Saul to the sufferers in Jerusalem.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Acts Chapter 11 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- Peter's defence. -- (1-18)
- The success of the gospel at Antioch. -- (19-24)
- The disciples named Christians, Relief sent to Judea. -- (25-30)
Verses 1-18
The imperfect state of human nature strongly appears, when godly persons are displeased even to hear that the word of God has been received, because their own system has not been attended to. And we are too apt to despair of doing good to those who yet, when tried, prove very teachable. It is the bane and damage of the church, to shut out those from it, and from the benefit of the means of grace, who are not in every thing as we are. Peter stated the whole affair. We should at all times bear with the infirmities of our brethren; and instead of taking offence, or answering with warmth, we should explain our motives, and show the nature of our proceedings. That preaching is certainly right, with which the Holy Ghost is given. While men are very zealous for their own regulations, they should take care that they do not withstand God; and those who love the Lord will glorify him, when made sure that he has given repentance to life to any fellow-sinners. Repentance is God's gift; not only his free grace accepts it, but his mighty grace works it in us, grace takes away the heart of stone, and gives us a heart of flesh. The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit.
Verses 19-24
The first preachers of the gospel at Antioch, were dispersed from Jerusalem by persecution; thus what was meant to hurt the church, was made to work for its good. The wrath of man is made to praise God. What should the ministers of Christ preach, but Christ? Christ, and him crucified? Christ, and him glorified? And their preaching was accompanied with the Divine power. The hand of the Lord was with them, to bring that home to the hearts and consciences of men, which they could but speak to the outward ear. They believed; they were convinced of the truth of the gospel. They turned from a careless, carnal way of living, to live a holy, heavenly, spiritual life. They turned from worshipping God in show and ceremony, to worship him in the Spirit and in truth. They turned to the Lord Jesus, and he became all in all with them. This was the work of conversion wrought upon them, and it must be wrought upon every one of us. It was the fruit of their faith; all who sincerely believe, will turn to the Lord, When the Lord Jesus is preached in simplicity, and according to the Scriptures, he will give success; and when sinners are thus brought to the Lord, really good men, who are full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, will admire and rejoice in the grace of God bestowed on them. Barnabas was full of faith; full of the grace of faith, and full of the fruits of the faith that works by love.
Verses 25-30
Hitherto the followers of Christ were called disciples, that is, learners, scholars; but from that time they were called Christians. The proper meaning of this name is, a follower of Christ; it denotes one who, from serious thought, embraces the religion of Christ, believes his promises, and makes it his chief care to shape his life by Christ's precepts and example. Hence it is plain that multitudes take the name of Christian to whom it does not rightly belong. But the name without the reality will only add to our guilt. While the bare profession will bestow neither profit nor delight, the possession of it will give both the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Grant, Lord, that Christians may forget other names and distinctions, and love one another as the followers of Christ ought to do. True Christians will feel for their brethren under afflictions. Thus will fruit be brought forth to the praise and glory of God. If all mankind were true Christians, how cheerfully would they help one another! The whole earth would be like one large family, every member of which would strive to be dutiful and kind.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.