Acts 11ASV
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Acts11

American Standard Version · Public Domain

1Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.

2And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

3saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

4But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying,

5I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me:

6upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven.

7And I heard also a voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.

8But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth.

9But a voice answered the second time out of heaven, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.

10And this was done thrice: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

11And behold, forthwith three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent from Caesarea unto me.

12And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man’s house:

13and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter;

14who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.

15And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.

16And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

17If then God gave unto them the like gift as he did also unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?

18And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life.

19They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews.

20But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

21And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord.

22And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch:

23who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord:

24for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

25And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul;

26and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people; and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

27Now in these days there came down prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

28And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius.

29And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judaea:

30which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 11.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Peter's defence. (1–18). The success of the gospel at Antioch. (19–24). The disciples named Christians, Relief sent to Judea. (25–30).

vv1-18

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.

vv19-24

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.

vv25-30

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.

Cross References

Acts 11
v9Acts 10:15quotation

Direct verbatim repetition of the divine oracle Peter received in his Joppa vision.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v16Acts 1:5quotation

Peter explicitly quotes this promise of Jesus regarding baptism with the Holy Spirit.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v3Acts 10:28allusion

The precise legal and social objection regarding entering and eating with uncircumcised Gentiles.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v17Acts 10:47allusion

Parallels Peter's rhetorical question about water baptism and not withstanding God's Spirit.

Supported by JFB

v19Acts 8:1-4thematic

Traces the historical dispersion of believers back to the persecution following Stephen's death.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

Contrasts Peter's defense here with his later relapse under pressure from the circumcision party.

Supported by John Calvin

v15Acts 10:44allusion

Points to the exact moment the Holy Ghost fell on Cornelius' household.

Supported by John Calvin

v28Acts 21:10thematic

Identifies the same Judean prophet, Agabus, who later prophesies Paul's binding.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v29Romans 15:25-27thematic

Parallels Gentile churches recognizing their spiritual debt by sending material relief to Judean saints.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v1Acts 11:18thematic

The ultimate resolution and praise that concludes the initial skepticism of the Judean brethren.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v18Acts 5:31thematic

Connects Christ's exaltation with God actively granting repentance as a gift.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v21Luke 1:66allusion

Reflects the idiomatic expression 'the hand of the Lord was with them' to denote divine power.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v25Acts 9:30thematic

Establishes why Barnabas went to Tarsus, where Saul had been sent for safety.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v9Acts 15:9thematic

Peter's later theological summary of God cleansing Gentile hearts by faith without distinction.

Supported by John Calvin

v22Acts 4:36thematic

Introduces Barnabas' origins in Cyprus, explaining his suitability for the mission to Antioch.

Supported by JFB