Acts 11

Acts 11 shows how the gospel began spreading more clearly beyond the Jewish people to the Gentiles. After Peter preached to Cornelius and his household, the Jewish believers in Jerusalem questioned him because he had entered the house of uncircumcised Gentiles and eaten with them. Peter explained that God Himself had directed the whole event through a vision, the guidance of the Spirit, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles. This convinced the church that God had also granted repentance and life to the Gentiles. The chapter then shows the gospel spreading to Antioch, where many believed, Barnabas and Saul taught the church, the disciples were first called Christians, and believers showed practical love by sending relief to the brethren in Judea.

Acts 11:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him,
3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”

The Jewish believers in Judea heard that the Gentiles had received the word of God, but some were troubled by Peter’s actions. Those of the circumcision criticized him because he had gone into the house of uncircumcised Gentiles and eaten with them. Their concern came from Jewish customs and the old separation between Jews and Gentiles. This shows that the early church still had to learn the full meaning of the gospel—that God was opening the way of salvation to all people, not only to the Jews.

Acts 11:4-10 (NKJV)
4 But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying:
5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me.
6 When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.
7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’
8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’
9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’
10 Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.

Peter carefully explained the vision God gave him in Joppa. He saw a sheet coming down from heaven with different animals in it, and he was told to rise, kill, and eat. Peter refused because he had never eaten anything common or unclean. But the voice answered, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” This happened three times, showing that the message was from God and must be understood seriously. The main point was not merely about food, but about people: Peter was not to call the Gentiles common or unclean when God was cleansing them and bringing them into His people through Christ.

Acts 11:11-12 (NKJV)
11 At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea.
12 Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house.

Peter explains that immediately after the vision, three men arrived from Caesarea. The Spirit told him to go with them without doubting. This showed that Peter’s visit to Cornelius was not his own idea, but God’s direction. Peter also took six Jewish brethren with him, so they could witness what happened. Their presence helped confirm that God Himself was opening the door to the Gentiles.

Acts 11:13-14 (NKJV)
13 And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, “Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter,
14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.”

Cornelius had also been prepared by God. An angel told him to send for Peter, who would speak words by which he and his household would be saved. This shows that God was working on both sides: He prepared Peter, the Jewish apostle, and He prepared Cornelius, the Gentile seeker. Salvation still came through hearing the gospel message, but God arranged the meeting so that Cornelius and his household could receive the word of life.

Acts 11:15-17 (NKJV)
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.
16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, “John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”

Peter says that as he began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentiles just as He had fallen on the Jewish believers at the beginning, meaning at Pentecost. This proved that God accepted them by faith in Jesus Christ. Peter remembered Jesus’ promise that John baptized with water, but believers would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Since God gave the Gentiles the same gift He gave the Jews, Peter knew he could not oppose God. This was clear evidence that Gentiles could be received into the people of God without first becoming Jews.

Acts 11:18 (NKJV)
18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

When the Jewish believers heard Peter’s explanation, they stopped arguing and glorified God. They recognized that God had also granted the Gentiles repentance to life. This was a major turning point in the early church. The gospel was not only for Israel, but also for the nations. God was showing that all who repent and believe in Christ can receive life.

Acts 11:19-21 (NKJV)
19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.
20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

The believers who were scattered after Stephen’s persecution carried the gospel to new places, including Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. At first, many preached only to Jews, but some believers from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching the Lord Jesus to the Hellenists, or Greek-speaking Gentiles. The hand of the Lord was with them, meaning God blessed and empowered their work. As a result, many believed and turned to the Lord. This shows that persecution did not stop the gospel; it helped spread it farther.

Acts 11:22-24 (NKJV)
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.
23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

When the church in Jerusalem heard about the growth in Antioch, they sent Barnabas to see what was happening. When Barnabas saw the grace of God among the believers, he was glad. Instead of being suspicious, he encouraged them to continue with the Lord with firm purpose of heart. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and through his ministry many more people were added to the Lord. His example shows the importance of encouraging new believers and strengthening them in faith.

Acts 11:25-26 (NKJV)
25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.
26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Barnabas saw that the church in Antioch needed strong teaching, so he went to Tarsus to find Saul and brought him back to Antioch. For a whole year, Barnabas and Saul gathered with the church and taught many people. This helped establish the believers in truth and discipleship. It was also in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians, meaning followers of Christ. This name showed that their identity was now clearly centered on Jesus.

Acts 11:27-30 (NKJV)
27 And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.
29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.
30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch, and one of them, Agabus, revealed by the Spirit that a great famine was coming. The believers in Antioch responded with love and practical care. Each one gave according to his ability, and they sent relief to the brethren in Judea through Barnabas and Saul. This showed the unity of the church, where Gentile believers cared for Jewish believers as one family in Christ. Their faith was not only in words, but also in generosity and action.