Acts11

Peter defends his association with Gentiles to the Jerusalem brethren, recounting his vision and the Holy Ghost's descent upon Cornelius's household, which convinced them of God's grace for all. Meanwhile, the Gospel spreads to Antioch, where many Grecians believe, and Barnabas brings Saul to teach. The disciples there are first called Christians, and they later send aid to Judaea during a prophesied famine.

Listen to this chapter

Peter Defends Ministry to Gentiles

¶ And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,

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:

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.

And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.

But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.

But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.

And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:

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;

Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

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.

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?

When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

The Gospel Spreads to Antioch

¶ 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

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.

Famine Relief Sent to Judea

¶ And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

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.

Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Study Notes for Acts 11

Verse 1

The news of Gentiles (Cornelius and his household) receiving the gospel caused immediate theological tension among Jewish Christians, who assumed salvation required adherence to Mosaic law.

Verse 2

The 'circumcision party' refers to conservative Jewish believers who insisted that Gentile converts must be circumcised and follow Jewish customs. This group became the source of major conflict in the early church.

Verse 3

The core accusation was not simply preaching, but Peter’s willingness to share table fellowship (eat) with uncircumcised Gentiles, which violated strict Jewish purity codes.

Verse 4

Peter’s defense relies entirely on recounting the events chronologically and emphasizing that his actions were directed by God (a divine mandate), not personal choice.

Verse 12

Peter emphasizes that six Jewish brethren accompanied him, serving as vital eyewitnesses to confirm that the Spirit’s outpouring occurred exactly as Peter described.

Verse 15

The Holy Ghost fell upon the Gentiles before Peter had finished preaching or had baptized them, mirroring the Pentecost event (Acts 2:4). This established divine acceptance without requiring Jewish rituals.

Verse 16

Peter connects the Gentile experience directly to Jesus’ promise of Spirit baptism (Acts 1:5), establishing theological continuity and authority for the inclusion of non-Jews.

Verse 17

This rhetorical question is the climax of Peter’s argument: since God gave them the same gift, human beings cannot impose additional religious requirements or resist God’s clear will.

Verse 18

The Jerusalem church accepts Peter’s testimony, acknowledging that God has extended repentance and salvation to the Gentiles. This decision marks a profound theological shift for the early church mission.

Verse 19

This verse returns to the narrative of the scattering caused by the persecution following Stephen’s martyrdom (cf. Acts 8:1–4), which inadvertently spread the gospel geographically.

Verse 20

Antioch, the third-largest city in the Roman Empire, becomes the primary center for Gentile mission. The men from Cyprus and Cyrene were likely Hellenistic Jews who broke tradition by preaching explicitly to non-Jews (Grecians/Hellenes).

Verse 21

The phrase 'the hand of the Lord was with them' is a biblical idiom signifying divine favor and empowerment, emphasizing that the rapid growth was miraculous.

Verse 22

Barnabas, known for his ability to encourage and his generosity (Acts 4:36), was sent by the Jerusalem church to investigate and support the unexpected success in Antioch.

Verse 23

Barnabas validates the work as genuinely 'the grace of God,' indicating that the Gentile converts had received the Holy Spirit and were living consistent Christian lives.

Verse 25

Recognizing the massive task of discipling this large, new, diverse church, Barnabas specifically sought Saul (Paul) in Tarsus, bringing him into full-time ministry.

Verse 26

Antioch became the joint ministry base for Barnabas and Saul for a pivotal year. The term 'Christians' (meaning 'Christ’s people' or 'belonging to Christ') was likely a nickname given by outsiders due to the disciples’ intense focus on Jesus as the Messiah.

Verse 27

Prophets were inspired individuals who communicated God’s message, often involving revelation about the future or instruction for the present.

Verse 28

Agabus is a known prophet (cf. Acts 21:10). The predicted famine occurred historically during the reign of Claudius (c. A.D. 46–48), providing a specific historical anchor for Luke’s narrative.

Verse 29

The response demonstrates practical Christian unity and charity. The Gentile church in Antioch provided financial aid to the Jewish mother church in Judea during a time of need.

Verse 30

The designation 'elders' indicates that an established, organized leadership structure had developed in the Jerusalem church. This concludes Saul’s first missionary journey recorded in Acts.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate

Acts11

Peter Defends Ministry to Gentiles

The Gospel Spreads to Antioch

Famine Relief Sent to Judea

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options