Acts 11
Acts 11 follows the events in which Peter preached the gospel in the home of Cornelius, a Gentile, and begins with the scene where he reports the situation to the church in Jerusalem. Believing people with a Jewish background raise questions about Peter’s actions, since he had fellowship with Gentiles. Peter then explains, in sequence, the vision he experienced, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and how God also opened the door of repentance to the Gentiles. After that, this chapter records a historic turning point as the gospel spreads as far as Antioch and the number of Gentile believers increases.
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.
Key Structure and Meaning
- Verses 1-18: Peter’s defense and the response of the church in Jerusalem (Peter describes in detail what happened at Cornelius’s house, and the church in Jerusalem goes through the process of accepting it.)
- Verses 19-24: After the hardship of Stephen, scattered believers proclaimed Christ, and an important change occurs in Antioch as the gospel is proclaimed to the Gentiles as well.
- Verses 25-30: Barnabas brings Saul (Paul) to Antioch, works together with him, and shows the Antioch church sending relief funds to help with the difficulties in Jerusalem.
This structure shows how the gospel expands beyond the Jews to reach the Gentiles, and how the early church meets a new turning point.
Points for Reflection
- Reflect on how God opens up a new path beyond people’s existing thoughts and boundaries.
- In the process of the gospel spreading, let’s think about what it means for our community today to experience how people from different backgrounds become one.
- Think as well about how important it is for the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of those who accept the gospel and hear its message.
Applying It to Me
- Let’s consider whether, in the process of sharing the gospel or receiving it, we have not been trapped by fixed ideas.
- Let’s check whether we are approaching those who are different from us with a heart of love and welcome.
- Please examine whether the community to which I belong is putting into practice actively caring for others.
