Acts 11

Peter Explains His Actions

1 The apostles and the believers all through Judea heard that people who were not Jews had also received God's word.

2 Peter went up to Jerusalem. There the Jewish believers found fault with him.

3 They said, "You went into the house of those who aren't Jews. You ate with them."

4 Peter explained everything to them. He told them exactly what had happened.

5 "I was in the city of Joppa praying," he said. "There I had a vision. I saw something that looked like a large sheet. It was being let down from heaven by its four corners. It came down to where I was.

6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth. There were also wild animals, reptiles and birds.

7 Then I heard a voice speaking to me. 'Get up, Peter,' the voice said. 'Kill and eat.'

8 "I replied, 'No, Lord! I will not! Nothing that is not pure and "clean" has ever entered my mouth.'

9 "A second time the voice spoke from heaven. 'Do not say anything is not pure that God has made "clean," ' the voice said.

10 This happened three times. Then the sheet was pulled up into heaven.

11 "Just then three men stopped at the house where I was staying. They had been sent to me from Caesarea.

12 The Holy Spirit told me not to let anything keep me from going with them. These six brothers here went with me. We entered the man's house.

13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house. The angel said, 'Send to Joppa for Simon Peter.

14 He has a message to bring to you. You and your whole family will be saved through it.'

15 "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them. He came just as he had come on us at the beginning.

16 Then I remembered the Lord's words. 'John baptized with water,' he had said. 'But you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'

17 God gave them the same gift he gave those of us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. So who was I to think that I could oppose God?"

18 When they heard this, they didn't object anymore. They praised God. They said, "So then, God has allowed even those who aren't Jews to turn away from their sins and live."

Believers Are Called Christians for the First Time

19 Some believers had been scattered by the suffering that came to them after Stephen's death. They traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch. But they told the message only to Jews.

20 Some believers from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch. There they began to speak to Greeks also. They told them the good news about the Lord Jesus.

21 The Lord's power was with them. Large numbers of people believed and turned to the Lord.

22 The church in Jerusalem heard about this. So they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad. He told them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

24 Barnabas was a good man. He was full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. Large numbers of people came to know the Lord.

25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul.

26 He found him there. Then he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church. They taught large numbers of people. At Antioch the believers were called Christians for the first time.

27 In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.

28 One of them was named Agabus. He stood up and spoke through the Spirit. He said there would not be nearly enough food anywhere in the Roman world. This happened while Claudius was the emperor.

29 The believers decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. All of them helped as much as they could.

30 They sent their gift to the elders through Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 11 Commentary

Chapter 11

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.