Our titles for today’s study are; Verses 1-18 Peter is rebuked by the Jewish Christians. Verses 19-30 The church in Antioch. Here in Acts 11 we come to about 41 AD. Contention begins with the brothers concerning the Gentiles. Acts 11 continues from the last chapter, where we found that the Gentiles will be brought into the church. Remember, before this time, Gentiles were not allowed beyond Solomon’s Porch. Now, we will build churches where all are welcomed. Acts 11 and verse 1 reads.
Acts 11:1] And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
Not that all meat were to be received, but that the Gentiles were no longer to be considered unclean, if they received Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
Acts 11:2] And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
Those that were of Israel, they looked down on him for sitting and eating with gentiles. Imagine that, whom Christ built his church on, they looked down on.
Acts 11:3] Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
Breaking the Hebrew law. Let’s go to Romans 2 and verse 25 reads.
Rom.2:25] For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
[26] Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
Should not the Gentiles who will keep the laws and commandments of God be counted as circumcised.
Rom.2:27] And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
[28] For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
[29] But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
We see here that circumcision is now of the heart, and it is for both men and women. What we must understand is that only the blood ordinances were done away with when Jesus was crucified. He became the Passover Lamb, once and for all time and now there is no longer bloodletting of any kind. Paul did admit to being the one that confronted Peter about this in Galatians 2 and verse 9 reads.
Gal.2:9] And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
Paul might have been upset because he was the one sent to the Gentiles. We come to this word Jew, it should be translated as Israelites or sons of Jacob, all twelve tribes and not just the tribe of Judah.
Gal.2:10] Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
[11] But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
[12] For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
[13] And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
[14] But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
[15] We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
[16] Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Paul just admitted that we are no longer justified by the blood ordinances. Now, Peter will tell of the vision he received of God. Back to Acts 11 and verse 4 reads.
Acts 11:4] But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
[5] I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
[6] Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
[7] And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
[8] But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
[9] But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
[10] And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
[11] And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
[12] And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:
Peter is giving the account of the last chapter. Nowhere does it say that all meats are now clean, on the contrary, God was speaking of the Gentiles.
Acts 11:13] And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
[14] Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
[15] And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Like the Holy Spirit fell on us in chapter two, the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles. Peter is saying who can argue with God. You can find this in Acts 10:45.
Acts 11:16] Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
These were some of the last words that Jesus would speak to them. Let’s go to Acts 1 and verse 5 reads.
Acts 1:5] For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Ten days later the Holy Spirit fell on the twelve, and they spoke with the cloven tongue that all languages understood. Peter was saying above, his eyes were only opened to this fact when he was in Cornelius’s house. Back to Acts 11 and verse 17 reads.
Acts 11:17] Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
[18] When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
For the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy. Rev.19:10. This was promised back in Isaiah 60 and verse 1 reads.
Isa.60:1] Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
[2] For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
[3] And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Knowledge of scriptures goes a long way. Back to Acts and verse 19 reads.
Acts 11:19] Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
Again with this word; Jews, to the house of Jacob, all Hebrews. But that the word of Salvation for the Gentiles also had not reached these disciples. From here on is taught to the house of Israel only.
Acts 11:20] And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
Speaking in Greek to the Hellenists. Those of Israel who only spoke Greek.
Acts 11:21] And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
By the Holy Spirit they believed, and the church keeps growing.
Acts 11:22] Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
[23] Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
[24] For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
He taught them about the gentiles now being saved as well.
Acts 11:25] Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
Here is where Barnabas sought out Saul who would become Paul. We read this above in Galatians 2:9.
Acts 11:26] And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Christian is a two-part word. Christ G5547 Christos means; Anointed One. Ian means; Men. Christ men. or followers of Jesus Christ. Christianity was exploding throughout the region.
Acts 11:27] And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
Whenever something big is about to happen in the area, God will send a prophet.
Acts 11:28] And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
This man prophesied there would be a drought in the land. To understand prophecy, you need to understand that it is the testimony of Jesus Christ. Who was, and is and is to come. Let’s go to Amos 8 and verse 11 reads.
Amos 8:11] Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
We see here in Acts that it happened first in the Old Testament, then in the days of Claudius Caesar, and as we read in Amos 8:11 in the Day of the LORD. look around, the famine in our churches has come. Bethel has become Beth-Aven. The house of God has become the house of emptiness. Back to Acts 11 and verse 29 reads.
Acts 11:29] Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
However one could help his brother he should help. This is the Christian thing to do. They didn’t rely on the government for a hand out, they just took care of it themselves. Our strength is in our LORD.
Acts 11:30] Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
After both chapters 10 and 11 it is obvious that the Word teaches us here that it is talking about the Gentiles that are no longer to be called unclean. I wish pastors would read the whole of a subject rather than taking verses out of context to preach falsely to their congregations. It is not a sin against your soul, but rather against the flesh body. God knows what we should and should not eat. Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 will give what is clean and unclean to eat. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible