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Back In Jerusalem, Peter Explains How God Gave The Identical Gift To The Gentiles

11 Now the apostles and the brothers being throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also accepted the word of God. But when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the ones of the circumcision were disputing with him, saying that “You went in to men having uncircumcision, and you ate with them”. But having begun, Peter was explaining it to them in-order, saying, I was in the city of Joppa praying. And in a trance, I saw a vision— a certain object like a large sheet coming down, being let down by four corners from heaven. And it came to me, into which having looked-intently, I was observing. And I saw the four-footed-animals of the earth, and the wild-beasts, and the reptiles, and the birds of the heaven. And I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Having arisen, Peter, slaughter and eat!’ But I said, ‘By no means, Lord, because a defiled or unclean thing never entered into my mouth’. But a voice responded for a second time from heaven, ‘The things which God made-clean, don’t you be making-defiled’. 10 And this took place three times, and everything was pulled-up again into heaven. 11 And behold— three men immediately stood at the house in which we were staying, having been sent forth from Caesarea to me. 12 And the Spirit told me to go-with them, having made no distinction. And these six brothers also went with me. And we entered into the house of the man. 13 And he reported to us how he saw the angel having stood in his house, and having said, ‘Send-forth to Joppa, and send-for Simon, the one being called Peter, 14 who will speak words to you by which you will be saved— you and all your household’. 15 And at my beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as also upon us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He was saying, ‘John baptized with water— but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit!’ 17 Therefore if God gave the identical gift to them as also to us— [we both] having put faith upon the Lord Jesus Christ— who was I to be able to forbid God?” 18 And having heard these things, they were quiet. And they glorified God, saying, “Then God granted the repentance leading-to life to the Gentiles also!”

Many Gentiles Believe In Antioch. Barnabas And Saul Teach These Christians

19 Now indeed the ones having been dispersed because of the affliction having taken place over Stephen went as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews only. 20 But there were some of them— Cyprian and Cyrenian men— who, having come to Antioch, were speaking also to the Hellenists[a], announcing-as-good-news the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them. And a large number, having believed, turned to the Lord. 22 And the word about them was heard in the ears of the church existing in Jerusalem. And they sent out Barnabas to go to Antioch— 23 who, having arrived and having seen the grace of God, rejoiced. And he was encouraging[b] everyone to be continuing-in the Lord with[c] purpose[d] of heart, 24 because he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a considerable crowd was added to the Lord. 25 And he went forth to Tarsus to search-for Saul. 26 And having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came about for them that[e] for a whole year they were gathered-together[f] in the church and taught a considerable crowd; and that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Agabas Comes And Predicts A Famine; Barnabas And Saul Take Relief To Judea

27 And during these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And having stood up, one of them, Agabus by name, signified through the Spirit that there would-certainly be a great famine over the whole world— which took place in-the-time-of Claudius[g]. 29 And as any of the disciples was prospering, each of them determined to send money for a ministry to the brothers dwelling in Judea— 30 which they also did, having sent it forth to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 11:20 Here, this must mean ‘Gentiles’ in contrast to ‘Jews only’ in v 19.
  2. Acts 11:23 Or, exhorting.
  3. Acts 11:23 That is, to be continuing... with purpose of heart; or, he was encouraging... with purpose of heart.
  4. Acts 11:23 Or, resolution.
  5. Acts 11:26 Or, that for indeed a whole year.
  6. Acts 11:26 That is, brought together for a joint ministry. Or, brought-in by. Or, the disciples were gathered-together in the church, and Barnabas and Saul taught.
  7. Acts 11:28 He was Roman emperor in a.d. 41-54.

Peter Explains His Actions

11 The apostles and the believers(A) throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.(B) So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers(C) criticized him and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”(D)

Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision.(E) I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’

“I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

“The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’(F) 10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.

11 “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea(G) stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told(H) me to have no hesitation about going with them.(I) These six brothers(J) also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel(K) appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message(L) through which you and all your household(M) will be saved.’

15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on(N) them as he had come on us at the beginning.(O) 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with[a] water,(P) but you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.’(Q) 17 So if God gave them the same gift(R) he gave us(S) who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”

18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”(T)

The Church in Antioch

19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed(U) traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch,(V) spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus(W) and Cyrene,(X) went to Antioch(Y) and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news(Z) about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them,(AA) and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.(AB)

22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas(AC) to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done,(AD) he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.(AE) 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit(AF) and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.(AG)

25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus(AH) to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples(AI) were called Christians first(AJ) at Antioch.

27 During this time some prophets(AK) came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus,(AL) stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world.(AM) (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)(AN) 29 The disciples,(AO) as each one was able, decided to provide help(AP) for the brothers and sisters(AQ) living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders(AR) by Barnabas(AS) and Saul.(AT)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 11:16 Or in
  2. Acts 11:16 Or in

11 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.

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?

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.

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.

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.