Acts 11: Peter Defends God’s Grace for the Gentiles

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Parent Category: Division 5. The Gospels of Jesus & Acts of Apostles
Category: Acts

Bible Study/Commentary

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  3. Q & A

Overview of Acts Chapter 11

Acts chapter 11 follows the transformative events of Acts chapter 10, emphasizing the acceptance of the Gentiles into the Church.

The chapter narrates the aftermath of Peter's encounter with Cornelius, and addresses the concerns and reactions of the Jerusalem church.

It shows the expansion of the gospel to a broader audience and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in uniting diverse believers.

Verses 1-18: Peter's Report, and the Jerusalem Church's Reaction

Peter returns to Jerusalem and faces criticism from Jewish believers for eating with Gentiles.

He recounts his vision, the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Gentiles, and the command to share the gospel with all people.

The Jerusalem church, upon hearing Peter's report, recognizes God's plan for salvation to anyone who believes.

Verses 19-24: Barnabas & Paul's Ministry in Antioch

Believers scattered by persecution preach to Jews in Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, leading to Gentile conversions.

The news reaches the Jerusalem church, prompting Barnabas to investigate and affirm the work of God in Antioch.

Barnabas brings Paul to help with the growing Church in Antioch.

Verses 25-30: Relief to the Church in Judea

Prophets predict a famine, prompting the Antioch church to send relief to Judea.

This act of generosity fosters a connection between the churches, illustrating the unity of the Church.

Summary

Acts chapter 11 unfolds as a continued acceptance of the Gentiles.

Peter's report, and the subsequent acceptance by the Jerusalem church, demonstrate the unfolding understanding of God's plan for salvation, encompassing both Jews and Gentiles.

The growth of the church in Antioch, as a diverse Church, becomes a significant milestone.

And the relief sent to Judea, underscores the unity and mutual support within the Church.

The chapter serves as a bridge, linking the events of the conversion of Cornelius's household, to the spread of the Church among both Jews, and Gentiles.

Peter Reports to the Church

11 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began and explained it to them in order: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. 6 Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ 10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. 11 And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. 12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. 13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?” 18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

The Church in Antioch

19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Q&A

Acts 11:1-3
Q1: What did the apostles and brothers in Judea hear about Peter in Acts 11:1-3?
A1: The apostles and brothers in Judea heard that Peter had gone to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile, and ate with them.

Acts 11:4-10
Q2: How did Peter explain his actions to the apostles and brothers in Jerusalem, as mentioned in Acts 11:4-10?
A2: Peter explained the vision he had received in Joppa, where a sheet with various animals was lowered from heaven. He emphasized that God had shown him not to call any person common or unclean.

Acts 11:11-14
Q3: What did Peter learn from the vision, and what did the Holy Spirit tell him to do, as mentioned in Acts 11:11-14?
A3: Peter learned from the vision that he should not call any person common or unclean. The Holy Spirit told him to go with the men from Cornelius without hesitation, for God had sent them.

Acts 11:15-17
Q4: What did Peter recall about the Holy Spirit falling on Cornelius and his household, as mentioned in Acts 11:15-17?
A4: Peter recalled how the Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius and his household just as it had on the apostles at the beginning. He realized that God had granted the Gentiles repentance that leads to life.

Acts 11:18
Q5: How did the apostles and brothers in Jerusalem respond to Peter's explanation, as mentioned in Acts 11:18?
A5: When they heard these things, the apostles and brothers in Jerusalem fell silent, and they glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life."

Acts 11:19-21
Q6: What significant event happened in Antioch, as mentioned in Acts 11:19-21?
A6: Some believers who were scattered due to the persecution in connection with Stephen went to Antioch and began preaching the Lord Jesus to both Jews and Greeks. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

Acts 11:22-24
Q7: How did the news of the growth in Antioch reach the church in Jerusalem, and what did Barnabas do, as mentioned in Acts 11:22-24?
A7: The news of the growth in Antioch reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When Barnabas saw the grace of God, he was glad and exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord.

Acts 11:25-26
Q8: Whom did Barnabas bring to Antioch, and what did the disciples there do, as mentioned in Acts 11:25-26?
A8: Barnabas brought Saul to Antioch, and for a whole year, they met with the church and taught a great many people. In Antioch, the disciples were first called Christians.

Acts 11:27-30
Q9: What happened through the prophets in Antioch, and what did the disciples decide to do, as mentioned in Acts 11:27-30?
A9: Agabus, through the Spirit, predicted a severe famine. The disciples decided to send relief to the brothers in Judea, each according to his ability, to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.