Acts 11
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 11
Peter’s Explanation of Cornelius’ Baptism. 1 The apostles and the brethren in Judea heard that the Gentiles too had accepted the word of God. 2 Therefore, when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers protested to him, 3 saying, “Why did you enter the house of uncircumcised men and eat with them?”
4 Peter replied by explaining the facts to them step by step, saying, 5 “While I was praying one day in the city of Joppa, I fell into a trance and had a vision. I saw something like a large sheet lowered down from heaven by its four corners, and it landed close to me.
6 “I looked into it carefully and observed four-footed animals, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds. 7 I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter! Kill and eat!’ 8 But I said, ‘Certainly not, Lord. For nothing profane or unclean has ever been in my mouth.’ 9 But the voice spoke to me from heaven for a second time, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’ 10 This happened three times, and then everything was taken up into heaven again.
11 “At that very moment, three men arrived at the house where we were staying. They had been sent to me from Caesarea. 12 The Spirit instructed me to go with them without any hesitation. These six brethren also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house who said, ‘Send to Joppa and ask for Simon who is also called Peter. 14 He will give you a message that will grant salvation to you and your entire household.’
15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit descended upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning, 16 and I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If then God gave them the same gift that he gave to us when we came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to oppose God?”
18 When they heard this, they held their peace, and they praised God, saying, “God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.”
19 A Church at Antioch.[a] Meanwhile, those who had scattered after the persecution that arose because of Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia,[b] Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word only to Jews. 20 However, among them there were some natives of Cyprus and Cyrene who went to Antioch where they started preaching also to the Greeks, proclaiming to them the good news of the Lord Jesus. 21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number of them became believers and turned to the Lord.
22 News of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and perceived the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord with resolute devotion, 24 for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. And a large number of people were added to the Lord.
25 Barnabas then went to Tarsus[c] 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 large number of people. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
Threats against the Church[d]
27 A Famine in the World.[e] During these days, some prophets[f] came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted through the Spirit that a severe famine would afflict the entire world. This in fact occurred during the reign of Claudius. 29 The disciples decided to send relief to the brethren living in Judea, each according to his means. 30 This they did, delivering it to the elders[g] through Barnabas and Saul.
Footnotes
- Acts 11:19 The narrative picks up the story of persecution (see Acts 8:14). But we leave the coast of Palestine for a region some 300 miles further north. A new Church enters the picture, that of Antioch, where Barnabas is encouraging the converts from paganism.
In Antioch, the name Christian is used for the first time (v. 26), and it will henceforth be used by all the disciples of the Lord for the community in the service of the Lord. - Acts 11:19 Phoenicia: a land 15 miles wide and 120 miles long on the northeastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, with Tyre and Sidon as its principal cities. Cyprus: the island home of Barnabas (see Acts 4:36), located in the northeastern Mediterranean, 60 miles from Syria. Antioch: the third most important city (after Rome and Alexandria) of the Roman Empire, located in Syria, in the northeast corner of the Mediterranean. It was from the Church of Antioch that Paul’s three missionary journeys were launched (see Acts 13:1-4; 15:40; 18:23).
- Acts 11:25 Tarsus: see note on Acts 9:30.
- Acts 11:27 Calamities strike the Church—famine, persecution, political conflicts. This corresponds to the description of the signs of the last times in Luke (21:9-13). As the Gospel says, it is not the time of the end but the time of perseverance. When the signs of crisis are manifested in the world, believers testify to the hope and the effort for a change. The Church emerges from these threats with tranquil joy and humility. This account brings to a close the first twelve chapters of Acts.
- Acts 11:27 A collection is organized in the Church. The action is an application of one of the essential elements of the community: the sharing of goods, which gives a new meaning to economic property. Paul will regard this kind of mutual help as very important (see Rom 15:31; 1 Cor 16:15; 2 Cor 8:4; 9:1, 12-13; Gal 2:10).
- Acts 11:27 Prophets: the first mention of the gift of prophecy in this Book. Prophets are to preach, exhort, explain, or predict (see Acts 13:1; 15:32; 19:6; 21:9f; Rom 12:6; 1 Cor 12:10; 13:2-8).
- Acts 11:30 Elders: collaborators of the apostles, or substitutes for them (see Acts 20:17f).
使徒行传 11
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
彼得的解释
11 使徒和犹太全境的弟兄姊妹都听说外族人接受了上帝的道。 2 彼得一回到耶路撒冷，严守割礼的门徒就指责他： 3 “你竟然去未受割礼之人的家，还和他们一同吃饭！”
4 彼得就把事情的经过一一向他们解释，说： 5 “我在约帕城祷告的时候，看见一个异象，有一大块像布的东西四个角吊着从天上降到我面前。 6 我定睛一看，里面有牲畜、野兽、爬虫和飞禽。 7 接着，我听见有声音对我说，‘彼得，起来，宰了吃！’ 8 我说，‘主啊，这可不行！我从未吃过任何污秽不洁之物！’ 9 那从天上来的声音又说，‘上帝已经洁净的，你不可再称之为不洁净。’ 10 这样一连三次，然后一切都被收回天上去了。 11 就在那时候，有三个从凯撒利亚来的人到我住处的门口来找我。 12 圣灵吩咐我跟他们同去，不要犹豫。就这样，我和这六位弟兄一同到了哥尼流家。 13 他告诉我们天使如何在他家中向他显现，并对他说，‘你派人去约帕，请一位名叫西门·彼得的人来。 14 他有话告诉你，能使你和你的全家得救。’
15 “我开口讲话时，圣灵降在他们身上，跟当初降在我们身上的情形一模一样。 16 我就想起主的话，‘约翰用水施洗，但你们要受圣灵的洗礼。’ 17 既然上帝给他们恩赐，就如我们信主耶稣基督时给我们一样，我是谁，怎能拦阻上帝？” 18 大家听了便安静下来，转而归荣耀给上帝，说：“如此看来，上帝把悔改得永生的机会也赐给了外族人。”
安提阿的教会
19 司提凡殉道后，信徒们因受迫害而四散到各处，远至腓尼基、塞浦路斯和安提阿，他们只向那里的犹太人传福音。 20 不过，有些塞浦路斯和古利奈的信徒到了安提阿之后，也向希腊人传讲主耶稣的福音。 21 上帝的能力伴随着他们，有许多人信了主。
22 耶路撒冷教会的人听到这消息后，就派巴拿巴去安提阿。 23 他到达后，看见上帝所赐的恩典，就万分高兴，劝勉他们要全心地忠于主。
24 巴拿巴是个被圣灵充满、信心坚定的好人。那时信主的人大大增加。 25 他又到大数去找扫罗， 26 找到后，便带他回安提阿。他们在教会待了一年之久，教导了许多人。门徒被称为“基督徒”就是从安提阿开始的。
27 当时，有几位先知从耶路撒冷下到安提阿。 28 其中一位名叫亚迦布，他得到圣灵的启示，站起来预言天下将有严重的饥荒。后来，这事果然在克劳狄执政期间发生了。 29 门徒决定各尽所能，捐款救济住在犹太境内的弟兄姊妹。 30 他们捐完后，委托巴拿巴和扫罗将款项送交耶路撒冷教会的长老。
Acts 11
King James Version
11 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 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.
Acts 11
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Gentile Salvation Defended
11 The apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles had welcomed God’s message also. 2 When Peter went up to Jerusalem, those who stressed circumcision[a] argued with him,(A) 3 saying, “You visited uncircumcised men and ate with them!”(B)
4 Peter began to explain to them in an orderly sequence, saying: 5 “I(C) was in the town of Joppa praying, and I saw, in a visionary state, an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners from heaven, and it came to me. 6 When I looked closely and considered it, I saw the four-footed animals of the earth, the wild beasts, the reptiles, and the birds of the sky. 7 Then I also heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat!’
8 “‘No, Lord!’ I said. ‘For nothing common or ritually unclean has ever entered my mouth!’ 9 But a voice answered from heaven a second time, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call common.’
10 “Now this happened three times, and then everything was drawn up again into heaven. 11 At that very moment, three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea arrived at the house where we were. 12 Then the Spirit told me to accompany them with no doubts at all. These six brothers accompanied me, and we went into the man’s house.(D) 13 He reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send[b] to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is also named Peter. 14 He will speak a message[c] to you that you and all your household(E) will be saved by.’
15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came down on them, just as on us at the beginning.(F) 16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’(G) 17 Therefore, if God gave them the same gift that He also gave to us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, how could I possibly hinder God?”(H)
18 When they heard this they became silent. Then they glorified God, saying, “So God has granted repentance resulting in life[d] even to the Gentiles!”(I)
The Church in Antioch
19 Those who had been scattered as a result of the persecution that started because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,(J) speaking the message to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, Cypriot and Cyrenian men, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Hellenists,[e][f] proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.(K) 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.(L) 22 Then the report about them was heard by the church that was at Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel[g] as far as Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with a firm resolve of the heart,(M) 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit(N) and of faith. And large numbers of people were added(O) to the Lord. 25 Then he[h] went to Tarsus to search for Saul, 26 and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples(P) were first called Christians at Antioch.(Q)
Famine Relief
27 In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.(R) 28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world.[i] This took place during the time of Claudius.[j](S) 29 So each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea.(T) 30 They did this, sending it to the elders(U) by means of Barnabas and Saul.
Footnotes
- Acts 11:2 Lit those of the circumcision
- Acts 11:13 Other mss add men
- Acts 11:14 Lit speak words
- Acts 11:18 Or repentance to life
- Acts 11:20 Other mss read Greeks
- Acts 11:20 In this context, a non-Jewish person who spoke Gk
- Acts 11:22 Other mss omit to travel
- Acts 11:25 Other mss read Barnabas
- Acts 11:28 Or the whole world
- Acts 11:28 Emperor a.d. 41–54; there was a famine a.d. 47–48.
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