Acts Chapter 11 Verses 1-18

Acts 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. 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 showed 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? 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.” 

“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.”  Peter had anticipated that he would be called into question for going in to speak with the uncircumcised (Gentiles).  He had taken brethren with him to be witnesses of what was to take place.  The reason of the contention was that at that time most Jews believed that God’s elect were only among the nation of Israel.  Thus, they thought that the gospel was to go only to the nation of Israel. 

Peter related in detail the experience of the vision of the great sheet and subsequent events that transpired by the direction of the Holy Spirit.  He also related how that the Gentiles also experienced the baptism of the Holy Ghost as had the Jews on the day of Pentecost.  This settled the matter with the church at Jerusalem as “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” 

Verses 19-24

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. 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. 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.” 

“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.”  We notice here that persecution did not hinder the word going forth, but rather it resulted in the word going to regions that it had not gone before.  This pattern continues on in the book of Acts and history tells us that persecution has resulted in the gospel of the grace of Christ traveling to distant lands that had not heard it before.  At first they were preaching the word to Jews only.  But with Peter’s experience of going to the house of Cornelius that was about to change. 

 “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.”  No doubt with the news of Peter being blessed to preach unto the Gentiles, this encouraged those of Cyprus and Cyrene to speak unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.  Moreover, much fruit was born among the Grecians as 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.”  No doubt there were still doubters in the church at Jerusalem that it was appropriate for the gospel to go unto the Gentiles, so they sent forth Barnabas to go to 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.”  Seeing the grace of God certainly settled the question that Barnabas was sent to witness.  Moreover, having seen the grace of God, Barnabas was glad and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart that 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.”  Barnabas was first introduced to us in Acts chapter 4.  The testimony concerning him is one that each of us should strive to live in such a way as to have such a testimony concerning us and our lives.  Through the labors of Barnabas much people were added unto the Lord, that is, they were added unto the Lord as his disciples. 

Verses 25-30 

Acts 11:25 “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. 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.”

“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.”  Neither Barnabas nor Saul at this point in their ministry had been ordained.  They were exercising the preaching gifts that God had given them.  By all evidence, the Lord had given them by his grace wonderful gifts of proclaiming the gospel of Christ and teaching the people.  For a whole year they assembled themselves with the church at Antioch and taught much people.

“And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”  The disciples did not give themselves the title of Christians, but it was given them by others to identify them as the disciples of Jesus Christ.  This title of Christians was first given to the disciples at Antioch.

“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.”  The word, dearth, signifies a scarcity of food, i.e., famine or hunger.  This dearth was revealed unto the disciples of Antioch by the prophet Agabus and 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: 30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.”  Once again the love of God and of the people of God was manifest in the early church.  Before, we had seen this manifestation of love in the church at Jerusalem in Acts chapters 2 and 4.  Now it is being manifested by the disciples at Antioch as they according to their ability determined to send relief unto the brethren in Judaea.  This ministry of love was sent to the elders in Jerusalem by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.  This also signifies that the church at Antioch had great confidence in these two brethren.