Acts 11

Acts Chapter 11 continues the narrative from the previous chapter, focusing on Peter’s explanation of the Gentile conversion and the spread of the gospel to non-Jews. 

Key points:

1. Peter Defends His Actions:

   • [1:3] Upon returning to Jerusalem, Peter is criticized by the circumcised believers (Jewish Christians) for eating with uncircumcised Gentiles.

   • [4:8] Peter recounts the entire sequence of events: his vision in Joppa, the arrival of Cornelius’ messengers, his visit to Cornelius’ house, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles.

2. Peter’s Vision and Explanation:

   • [9] Peter explains his vision of the sheet with unclean animals and how he was instructed not to call anything impure that God has made clean.

   • [15:17] He recounts the Holy Spirit telling him to go with Cornelius' men without hesitation and how the Spirit came upon the Gentiles as he began to speak.

3. Acceptance by the Jewish Believers:

   • [18] After hearing Peter’s account, the Jewish believers in Jerusalem have no further objections and praise God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

4. The Spread of the Gospel to Antioch: [19:21] 

   • The chapter then shifts to the spread of the gospel to Antioch. Some believers, scattered by the persecution that arose after Stephen’s death, travel as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word only to Jews.

   • However, some men from Cyprus and Cyrene go to Antioch and begin speaking to Greeks as well, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. A great number of people believe and turn to the Lord.

5. Barnabas Sent to Antioch: [22:24]

   • When news of this reaches the church in Jerusalem, they send Barnabas to Antioch. Barnabas sees the evidence of God’s grace and encourages the believers to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He is described as a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and many people are brought to the Lord.

6. Barnabas Brings Saul to Antioch: [25:26]

   • Barnabas goes to Tarsus to look for Saul (Paul), and when he finds him, he brings him to Antioch. For a whole year, Barnabas and Saul meet with the church and teach a great number of people. It is in Antioch that the disciples are first called Christians.

7. Prophecy of Famine: [27:29]

   • During this time, prophets come down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, predicts through the Spirit that a severe famine will spread over the entire Roman world. This happens during the reign of Claudius.

   • The disciples decide to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. Each one gives according to their ability, and they send their gifts to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

Acts Chapter 11 emphasizes the early church's growing understanding that the message of Jesus is for all people, not just Jews. It shows the church’s willingness to accept Gentiles into the faith and highlights the collaborative efforts to support believers in need, exemplifying early Christian community and charity.