ACTS  11

Thomas J. Grace

1 The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles had also recieved the word of God.

2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circunsised believers critized him

3 and said, You went into the house of uncircumsised men and ate with them.

 4 Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened.

 5 I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners and it came down to where I was.

6 I looked into it and I saw four footed animals of the earth, wild beast, reptiles, and birds of the air.

7 Then I heard a voice telling me, Get up Peter. Kill and eat.

8 I replied, Surely not Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.

 9 The voice spoke from heaven a second time, Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.

10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.

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

12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the mans house.

13 He told us how he had seen a angel appear in his house and say, Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter.

14 He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.

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

16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

17  So if God gave them the same gift as He gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God.

18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God saying, So then God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.

19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicis, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews.

20 Some of them however, men from Cyrpus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.

21 The Lords hand was with them, and a great number of the people believed and turned to the Lord.

22 News of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

23 When he arrived he saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encoureaged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

24 He was a good man full of the Holy Spirit, and faith and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,

26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

27 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.

28 One of them named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. This happened during the reign of Claudius.)

29 The disciples each according to his abilitity, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea.

30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. 

When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God saying, So then God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life. Acts 11:18

 The Spirit and the Bride say, Come! And let him who hears,  Come! Whoever is thirsty, let him come, and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17

WE ARE CLEAN

Thomas J. Grace

Peter returns to Jerusalem and some there are upset with Peter there was a confrontation with him and the believers that will continue and cause trouble for Paul and Gentile believers also. In the home of Cornelius God has showed Peter that the Gentiles are the same in His sight as all the believers in Jerusalem but God had not shared any of these plans with anyone else but Peter, who now must convince the Jewish Christians. We learn that even Peter must defend his actions to the church to allow this new work to continue.  

       1 The news that Gentiles had now received the word of God as the news spread throughout the country there might have been joy at what the Lord had done. But not so much joy was in Jerusalem when Peter arrived several days later Peter does not go back to Joppa where he began the journey but goes right to Jerusalem with the six men that had come to Cornelius home with him. When he left Joppa he took six men with him but did not send a man to Jerusalem to inform them what he was doing.  In Jerusalem the circumcised believers critized Peter who entered a gentile home and ate with them.  These are serious violations he disobeyed the law God gave to Moses by eating improper food and did this with uncircumcised men which was a violation of the covenant God had made with Abraham. Genesis 17:23-25 On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male of his household, and circumsised them as God told him. Abraham was ninety nine years old when he was circumsised. Of all the kings and prophets the man they loved to call father was Abraham Matthew 3:9. Who was speaking we are not told a name of the person who questions Peter. When Peter left Jerusalem to go to other cities he did not seem to leave someone in charge and the group that speaks to Peter is  identified only as the circumsised group but all there were circumcised because all were Jews.

     There did seem to already be a division that might have began before Peters trip to Cornelius home that will now have a debate about Gentiles that will divide them further and continue for many years.   Some there may have been upset with Peter from the time he went to Samaria and preached the word of God there with Philip. When Philip arrived in Samaria due to the persecution  that took place in Jerusalem if he had contacted people in Jerusalem before he began to preach they might have told him to leave Samaria because they were unclean.  If Peter had contacted the council in Jerusalem before he went to Cornelius home he may have received the same message do not go to the home of a Gentile. This may be the reason the time of the vision and the appearance of the three men from Cornelius home was so short to prevent the acts of man from stoping the will of God. 

     For centuries the Jews did not regard the Samaritians as true believers in God. They may have silently thought of Peter as unclean at that time. God did not make it clear to Peter what would happen in the home of Cornelius and did not give the people in Jerusalem any word of what would take place. They do not mention the belief or the baptism of the Gentiles but are only concerned with Peters violation of the law and they dont seem to understand Gods evidence of His acceptance of the Gentiles with the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

     4 KJV says Peter rehearsed which he did not do the two times he was questioned by the Sanhedrin. It would seem that a Christian Sanhedrin has developed in Jerusalem we do not hear of them praying to ask Gods advice before they contend with Peter.  Peter obeyed God and the instruction of the Holy Spirit and went on a mission he did not plan or seek. This was a mission he may have spoken to Saul about while he was in Jerusalem and Saul told him the words that Jesus had spoken to Ananias about him going to the Gentiles with the Gospel.  Now he is being doubted and questioned  by his own church many of them he might have first led to the Lord. Will Peter feel betrayed by these men is this a lesson he must learn as Jesus was betrayed by the Sanhedrin.

      Just days ago Peter was in the home of Cornelius filled with people who for the first time became believers and filled with the Holy Spirit. The joy and excitement there as each of them learned about the Lord and their new life with Christ. Peter remained there several days each day Cornelius would bring new friends to listen to Peter and they also would believe and become Christians. It was a exciteing week as people prayed and learned about the Lord and now Peter was in front of these men of this council who are upset with him for being in the home of a Gentile and eating their food. Maybe Peter was thinking he should not have come back to Jerusalem there was no message from the Spirit to leave Caesarea. He might have returned to Joppa where he was staying when he had the vision that began the journey he dicided on his own to return to Jerusalem because he knew there would be problems there. It could be he had already been given some messages that some in Jerusalem were upset and wanted to speak to him.

      5 Peter tells the story of the trance and the vision how he saw the large sheet come down from heaven. 6 He tells of all the animals on the sheet many that he knew no Jew was allowed to eat. 7 Then the words Kill and eat. 8 Peter says he said no Lord which now identifies to them for sure Peter was speaking to Christ as he said to Him No Lord Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth. the answer from Christ was Do not call anything impure that God has made clean. Ezekiel 36:25 ,26 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and  put a new Spirit  in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 1 Peter 1:18,19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the Precious blood of Christ, a lamb, without blemish or defect. It would seem that God is making a new statement about food than about the Gentiles at this time.

     Why does God call both people and food clean at the same time which will cause two problems at once and might make it more difficult for the Jewish believers to accept the new Gentile believers.  Peter affirms to them that he has never eaten anything impure in the past. 9 The voice from heaven repeats again the same statement. 10 A third time the sheet is seen with all the animals and the statement Do not call anything impure that God has made clean. Peter will have a difficult time explaining why did not Jesus tell you plainly The Gentiles will now be saved. 11 As soon as the vision ended three men from Cornelius home were at the door.  12 The Spirit told me do not hesitate but go with them now Christ and the Spirit were giving me instructions.  I took these six brothers who are here with us now with me to the home of Cornelius I brought them here to confirm everything that has happened. This would be evidence that problems already existed that Peter felt his own word was not accepted by this group that he needed six witnesses to testify with him.

     13 Cornelius vision of a angel speaking to him there is new information here The angel says send to Joppa for Peter. Do not go there yourself you must first meet at your home. 14 The message the angel says he will tell you how you and your household will be saved not told in chapter 10 that Cornelius hears these words, were they repeated to Peter when the three men came to the house in Joppa. 15 As Peter spoke in Cornelius house the Holy Spirit  came on them poured out on them as on the day of Pentecost. Were any of the questioners there present at the day of Pentecost they may not have been among the one hundred and twenty or among the three thousand saved the first day. Most of those people scattered after the death of Stephen to obey what Christ had commanded. Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. These men may have never left Jerusalem and would not encourage anyone who spreads the word of God anywhere or to people who were not circumsised Jews.

     16 Then Peter stated He remembered what the Lord had said Mark 1:8 John baptized with water but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. These men were not there with Jesus as he did not say do any of you remember when Jesus said that. 16 The Spirit that poured out on them from God as on us with the speaking of tongues was all the evidence I needed to believe God had done this. Who was I to think that I could oppose God? Is this something you men would like to do. Even the Sanhedrin backed down to this challenge when Gamaliel made the same statement to them in Acts 5:38 Therefore in the present case I advise you; Leave these men alone. Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.  The apostles were taken out of the room when Gamaliel spoke maybe Peter heard this statement from Saul who may have been in the room with his teacher Gamaliel.  Peter may have questioned Saul about the statement Gamaliel had made and was told by Saul, he also may have told Peter he at that time did not agree with his teacher and wanted them put to death. This is the second time this statement saves Peters skin before Gamaliel spoke the Sanhedrin was furious and ready to attack the apostles.

     They do not seem ready to attack Peter but may have had some other punishments or reqirements such as do not preach to any more Gentiles.  Just as the Sanhedrin ordered Peter and John not to teach in the name of Jesus any more, and if ordered not to teach the Gentiles Peter would refuse to obey just as he refused to obey the Sanhedrin. He stated Shall I obey man or God judge for yourself. 18 When they heard about the Holy Spirit they had no more objections and praised God and declared that God has granted repentance  unto life to the Gentiles.  The six men from Joppa may have returned to the home of Cornelius or continued the work in Caesarea to reach the Gentiles.  The unbelieveing Jews in Jerusalem may have had a more harsh view of the events that have taken place. As they became aware of Peters violations they would not allow him into the temple and would fear that others had made themselves unclean.

      Following the law kept a common cause and reason for peace among both groups in Jerusalem if the Christians were to meet with Gentiles and eat their food old problems would soon turn into persecutions once again.  Once again life in Jerusalem will become dangerous for Christians as the word of God continues to spread among the Gentiles. The Sanhedrin had given the church the chance to oppose Peter in this new work to the Gentiles and his neglect of the law. Now that they have seen them support Peter in this work it is now up to them to defend their law and traditions in Jerusalem. Many Christians will agree with them in their own support of a person becomeing a Jew and  follow the law before he may become a Christian.

      As the Christians now are witnessing to the Gentiles they will now face a new enemy among the Pagan believers who have their own religions and temples who will loose members as their members become Christians. In the city of Jerusalem after the death of Stephen we do not read any statement about people being saved, baptized or filled with the Holy Spirit.

      The problems of the early church were settled peacefully while the problems of the last day church will seperate and divide many churches and believers. Many will deny Christ and adapt the new teaching of the one world religion which will bring peace to all mankind as their promise of a worldwide  savior.  At that time we must be in prayer and filled with the Holy Spirit as our guide to the truth for many will fall away and we will hear many leaders people we did trust in the past urge us to follow the new religion. Read and learn your Bible now because at that time you will not find a new one and having your own will be punishable as a crime. We must remember that in those days it is the return of Christ that we are waiting for and all else is a false deception to lead you to be lost as many will be decieved by the antichrist and his false prophet.               

      19 The scattered people that left Jerusalem never stoped preaching everywhere they went they spoke to the Jews whenever they would listen. 20 Some the men who went to Antioch must have heard what has happened in Caesarea and began to teach the Greeks in the city the good news about our Lord Jesus Christ. They did not wait for any apostles to arrive or to get any instrustions from the leaders in Jerusalem. 21 The Lords hand was with them as they knew it would be if the work of teaching the Gentiles was the work of God. Without direct knowledge from God to act God did support the ministry while the work was going on. A great many people believed and turned to the Lord these people acted in faith and believed that God was able to save these people and they like God did not consider there differences.

     22 Once again the news reaches the church in Jerusalem but no one has returned to be questioned as Peter had done. In order to gain more information and to support the workers in Antioch Barnabas was sent to them. Barnabas the man who sold a piece of land and gave the money to the apostles Acts 4:36.  Like Peter and John who were sent to Samaria we see again the council in Jerusalem sending someone to a area or a work they may not agree with.

     23 Barnabas arrives in Antioch and is overjoyed to find the evidence of the grace of God. He would enjoy to see and hear Gentiles praise God and believe in Jesus Christ as new believers gave their life to Christ. He did encourage them and did not state that they must obey the law but should remain true to the Lord in their hearts. 24  He was a good man full of the Holy Spirit and faith Barnabas was the man who when Saul arrived in Jerusalem took him anad brought him to the apostles. Many in Jerusalem feared Saul and did not trust him or believe he was saved but thought this was a new trap to capture them. Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and how the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly  in the name of Jesus. Barnabas may have at some other time may have spoken to Ananias who heard the words of the Lord spoken to him before he visited Saul in Damascus. Acts 9:15 But the Lord spoke to Ananias, Go! This man is my choosen instrument to carry  my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. Saul in Jerusalem would have spoken to Barnabas about these words and now he has seen the work taking place in Antioch he has remembered these early talks about Gentiles and the event that has taken place in Caesarea  with Peter in the home of Cornelius. Barnabas in Antioch would be one of the first witnesses and preachers to the Gentiles. Barnabas along with the the Christians he found there preached to the Gentiles and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Barnabas is the first person we have named to have large city wide ministry to the Gentiles and we do not read of any problems between the Gentile and the Jewish believers in Christ there.

     25 Barnabas travels to Tarsus to search for Saul where we do not read of Saul being in any ministry work there to either the Jews or to the Gentiles. As Barnabas told the story of Antioch and Peters trip to the home of Cornelius and how Gentiles were being led to Christ Saul decided to return with Barnabas to Antioch. 26 For one whole year Barnabas and Saul remained in Antioch met with the church and taught great numbers of people. One year was a long time without any persecutions as these two men teamed up they are the first two men known to work together since Peter and John went to Samaria. There in Antioch in the church with many Jewish and Gentile believers together in one church for the first time they needed  a new name to identify them all as people who came from different backgrounds but believed in the same Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To show the unity they had as brothers and sisters they choose the word that defined who they believed in they would be called Christians.

     27 Barnabas and Saul have some new visitors in Antioch some prophets have come from Jerusalem. We are not told if they are sent by the council in Jerusalem maybe they heard of the work that was being done there and wanted to be part of the ministry there. They would have been traveling from town to town to deliver their prophecy. There have been Hebrew prophets for centuries and now there are Christians making prophecies from God as Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel  had done along with many others.  28 One Prophet Agabus who we will hear from later in this book of Acts is the first man we hear of who is acting as a Christian prophet. Agabus tells of a prophecy  through the Spirit that there will be a severe famine in the entire Roman world, this is a bold statement by Agabus as a Christian in the name of the Lord.  The word of God must be proved true through His prophets or doubt in their word will also be questioned  by all who have heard this prophecy.

     29 The church in Antioch begins to collect money food and supplies for the church back in Jerusalem. 30 When the offfering is ready it is sent to Jerusalem with Barnabas and Saul. Was the work of the delivery more important than the work in Antioch, Saul and Barnabas must have prepared elders in the church who were able to care for the church while they were in Jerusalem. Saul was almost killed the last time he went to Jerusalem and there would still be some in Jerusalem who would like to kill him.

      Now that both men are ministering to Gentiles there are now many new reasons and groups that will oppose both these men. There appearance will cause new arguments to erupt concerning circumcision and laws about food and many other traditions. With a severe famine the church has received the gift offering of food money and supplies that years ago might have been collected and brought tp the Sanhedrin for the Jewish families in Jerusalem. They might fear a fully stocked church might draw away some of the Jewish believers to the Christian church. Barnabas and Saul will escalate the differences along with these problems and new persecutions will begin in Jerusalem.

CHRIST LOVES YOU. AMEN. COME LORD JESUS