Acts Chapter 11

Acts Chapter 11

The apostles and brethren in Judea hear the Gentiles had received the word of God.  When Pete came back to Jerusalem, he had the circumcised folks to contend with.  They said “You went to the uncircumcised and ate with them!”  Pete was prepared and told them about his vision.

Wow, Luke really feels it necessary to retell the same story that was just in the last chapter.  In considerable detail.  Even though we read about it in the last chapter.  The chapter right before this one.

“ I saw the heavens open and a certain vessel descended upon me, like a great sheet knit at the four corners and let down to the earth.  Inside were all sorts of four footed beast of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds. A voice came to him telling me to “Arise, Peter; kill, and eat.” That upset me  because I keep Kosher and didn’t eat common or unclean animals.  But the voice told him that “What God hath cleansed, [that] call not thou common.”  I told them how this was done three times, and the vessel went back to heaven and how three men from Caesarea came to see me.  Six men came with me and they went to the man’s house.  He showed us how he had seen an angel in the house who had told him to summon me to tell this guy words that would save everyone in his house.   As I began to speak the Holy host fell on them, like it did with us in the beginning.  Then I remembered the word of the Lord how he said that John baptized with water but you will be baptized with the Holy Ghost. God gave them the gift that he gave us, who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Who am I to withstand God?”  Who indeed Pete?  Who indeed?

When they heard these things, they held their peace glorifying God saying that God had given the Gentiles the ability to repent.

As they were scattered abroad, the news of Steven’s persecution  travelled as far as Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch, only preaching the word to the Jews.   And some of them were form Cyprus and Cyrene, who when they came to Antioch spoke to the Greeks preaching about Lord Jesus.  Well, the land of the lord was with them because they were converting folks left and right. 

The new of these things came to the church in Jerusalem, and the sent Barnabas to Antioch.  When he came and saw the grace of God he was glad, and gave them earnest advice that they would join with the Lord with all of their hearts.  He was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost, and faith, and he added many followers.

 Barnabas went to Tarsus to seek Saul.  When he found him they went to Antioch.  They taught in the church there for about a year.  The disciples in Antioch were the first to be called Christians. 

Prophets from Jerusalem came to Antioch.  One of them named Agabus had been told by the Spirit that there would be a a great dearth throughout the world which would come in the days of Claudius Caesar.  The disciples were determined to send relief to their brethren in Judea, every man giving what they could. They send it to elders with Barnabas and Saul.  Which is really nice.  I mean sending relief to those in need is always a really nice thing to do.  Go disciples!