CHAPTER 11

1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

Nothing travels faster than word of mouth.
And, nothing travels faster BY word of mouth than news of a contrary nature.

Before Peter could get back to Jerusalem, the news of his actions in Caesarea with Cornelius preceded him.

Concerning "they that were of the circumcision," let us say they were circumcised believers who contended that all new converts should be circumcised.
They also maintained that Jewish Christians should not fellowship with uncircumcised believers.

Paul said, in Rom. 2:28-29, "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.

This contention that all new believers should be circumcised was held by a few for many years.
However, Peter addresses it fully and completely here.

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:
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.
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.
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?

Peter was convinced by God's Holy Spirit, that the men's request was genuinely of God.
He also took with him SIX "brethren" -- believers in Christ.

So, what happened in Caesarea was of God and witnessed by God's people.

The PLAN of God was to:
draw Peter to Cornelius' home,
and, for Peter to tell Cornelius and his family how to be saved!

When Peter preached the Word of God, conviction and convincing fell upon those Gentiles.
Then, when they repentantly surrendered to Christ as Lord, effusive evidence was the result of their salvation.
What Peter witnessed was the same as happened to the disciples in Jerusalem "at the beginning" of the church.
(( For notes on this see my web site Acts 2))

It was GOD'S PLAN!
It was not Peter's plan, for he wanted nothing to do with it! (vs 8 above)

It was God's grace!
It was God's power!
And, the Holy Spirit is the "gift of God" to ALL who believe, repent and surrender to Christ as Lord!
NOT just to apostles!
And NOT just to Jewish believers!

This action exhibited that God's plan include ALL mankind!!
"WHOSOEVER" may receive God's salvation through simple surrender to Jesus as Lord!!
See John 3:16, Matthew 10:32-33, Romans 10:13

This miraculous incident inspired many to change their focus for salvation from Jews only, to ALL mankind!!
This began to fulfill the statement of Jesus in Acts 1:8:
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

God's plan of preaching the Gospel is NOT of "selection!"
His plan is for all Christians to follow His "direction!"

We don't get to "pick and choose" to whom we preach the Gospel.
It is to be preached to ALL!
And, "WHOSOEVER" surrenders to Christ must be RECEIVED!!!

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.

Those who had opened their mouths to accuse Peter, now found their mouths open to PRAISE GOD!

It's amazing to me how many people in church will pay more attention to accusation of things than to proclamation of Jesus!
If Christians spent HALF as much time proclaiming the wonderful salvation of Jesus as they do complaining, we'd see LOTS more people being saved!!

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.
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.
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

Look closely at what happened here!
There's a very valuable lesson!

The "persecution of Stephen" was that nonbelieving Jews KILLED Stephen because of His OPEN PROCLAMATION of JESUS!!
And, many of the believers in Christ "scattered" because they were afraid THEY would also be killed!
Remember, Saul was at this time obtaining "letters" from the Sanhedrin to put Christian Jews in chains and bring them to Jerusalem for trial!
See Acts 22:5

FEAR motivated their moving, but
NOTHING impaired their telling!!

And, notice to WHOM they spoke: "Grecians" -- uncircumcised GENTILES!!
Truly, that which was once thought UNclean was now able (through Christ) to become CLEAN!!

"And the hand of the Lord was WITH them: and a GREAT NUMBER believed, and turned to the Lord!!"
The WORD of the Lord is the "sword of the Spirit!"
When we SPEAK it, He USES it!!

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.

The news of these receiving Christ in Cyprus and Cyrene was carried back to Jerusalem.
The church decided they should send someone to verify this account.
They sent Barnabus who "was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and faith."

Upon His arrival, Barnabus "was glad!"
He saw many true believers had been added to the church!

Then, Barnabus "exhorted" them.
He strongly urged them to "cleave unto the Lord."
One evidence of salvation is clinging to Jesus in ALL circumstances.
Also, the more we cling to Christ, the more we GROW in Him!

But, the job wasn't done yet!
The Christians needed to be TAUGHT.
Remember Jesus' command in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20) is TWO-fold!
"Teach" them to BE saved, then
"Teach" them how to LIVE saved!
See Matthew 28:18-20

25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
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.

Barnabus went to get Saul and bring him to Antioch.
Saul was an able teacher, and capable of explaining God's plan of salvation through the Old Testament.

Saul also had a wonderful testimony of salvation, and of continuing to cling to Christ.

Notice that last statement in verse 26: "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."
That name actually came from those who did NOT believe in Christ!
It was a name used in DISDAIN!

Jewish non-believers referred to those "Christians" with a distasteful look and criticizing mouth.
Gentile non-believers used the term "Christians" as demeaning the manner in which they proclaimed Jesus as the ONLY Lord.

"Christian" was a name EARNED by consistent clinging to Christ and continued proclamation of salvation through Him ALONE!

Later, the followers of Jesus accepted the name readily, and wore it proudly!
See 1Peter 4:16

CHRISTIAN is a name which denotes a person:
COMMITTED to Christ,
CLINGING to Jesus as Lord and His Word as our guide,
CARING about others and their eternal destination,
COMPELLED by His Spirit to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus.

Are YOU a "Christian?"

27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
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.
29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

More saved Christians came to Antioch.
One of them, Agabus, prophesied that there would be a "great dearth"

When the disciples at Antioch heard this, they were moved with compassion and had a compelling desire to provide aid to the future.

They took up an offering and sent it by Barnabus and Saul to Judaea.
This was an expression of Christian love and concern.

This is the manner in which disciples of Christ work through the local church today.
We take up a collection, not just to pay the bill of the church!
That collection is also used to provide hospitals, schools, missionaries and agriculturists to the world.
Through cooperative giving and planning, many of the worlds difficulties are alleviated.

Christianity is for ALL who believe in Christ and surrender to Him as Lord of their lives.
Christianity has a focus on bringing others to know the joy of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus.
Christianity provides for help and relief to those who suffer the difficulties of life.

May I ask you the question again?
Are YOU a "Christian?"

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.
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