Acts 11
Romans 11 is the section where Paul explains Israel and God’s plan of salvation. As the final passage of Romans 9–11, it emphasizes God’s mercy and faithfulness toward both Jews and Gentiles. Paul makes it clear that Israel has not been completely rejected, and he explains the relationship between Israel’s stumbling and the Gentiles’ salvation in the context of history. This chapter leads us to reflect on God’s wisdom and plan beyond human limitations.
1verseNow the apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2verseWhen Peter had come up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended with him,
3versesaying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”
4verseBut Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying,
5verse“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.
6verseWhen 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.
7verseI also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter, kill and eat!’
8verseBut I said, ‘Not so, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered into my mouth.’
9verseBut a voice answered me the second time out of heaven, ‘What God has cleansed, don’t you call unclean.’
10verseThis was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.
11verseBehold, immediately three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent from Caesarea to me.
12verseThe Spirit told me to go with them without discriminating. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house.
13verseHe 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,
14versewho will speak to you words by which you will be saved, you and all your house.’
15verseAs I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.
16verseI remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.’
17verseIf 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?”
18verseWhen they heard these things, they held their peace and glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!”
19verseThey therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only.
20verseBut 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.
21verseThe hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22verseThe report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch,
23versewho, 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.
24verseFor he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.
25verseBarnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul.
26verseWhen 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.
27verseNow in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28verseOne 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.
29verseAs any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea;
30versewhich they also did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Structure and Flow
- Verses 1–10: Paul explains that God has not rejected his people, Israel. Using the example of Elijah, he emphasizes that there is a remnant left behind.
- Verses 11–24: He says that Israel’s stumbling opened a door of salvation to the Gentiles. However, he urges that the Gentiles should not become arrogant and should remember that they are grafted branches (Gentiles) onto the original branch (Israel).
- Verses 25–32: He prophesies that Israel’s stubbornness is temporary and that, in the end, many Israelites will be saved. Although everyone was in disobedience, God has a plan to save them by showing mercy.
- Verses 33–36: Paul concludes with amazement at the depth of God’s wisdom and knowledge. He expresses that the providence of salvation is something astonishing that goes beyond human understanding.
Overall Meaning
Romans 11 repeatedly shows that God is faithful to the covenant he made with Israel, and that salvation is based not on any human condition but entirely on God’s mercy. The theme of the Gentiles’ salvation and Israel’s restoration harmonizes within God’s unified plan of salvation. At the center of the message is God’s love, which continually extends mercy beyond human failure and limitations.
Points to Ponder
- Let’s remember that God is faithful—he never gives up on what he has once promised.
- Rather than easily judging or excluding someone from the outside, let us pray to be able to hold a broader perspective of God’s redemption.
- Let’s confess that even our faith journey is sustained solely by God’s mercy.
Try Applying It to Me
- In life, let’s rebuild trust in God. Even though I have my own mistakes and limitations, let’s hold on with faith, believing that God’s plan will not be shaken.
- Let’s decide to be able to look at those who feel different from me around me, or even those who have stumbled, with an open perspective and God’s mercy.
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