Acts 11

King James Version

Full text for Acts Chapter 11

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

2And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

3Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

4But Peter rehearsed [the matter] from the beginning, and expounded [it] by order unto them, saying,

5I 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:

6Upon 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.

7And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.

8But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.

9But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, [that] call not thou common.

10And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

11And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.

12And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:

13And 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;

14Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

15And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

16Then 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.›

17Forasmuch 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?

18When 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.

20And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.

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

22Then 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.

23Who, 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.

24For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

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

26And 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.

28And 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.

29Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

30Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

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.

Medium Summary

Upon Peter's return to Jerusalem, he faced contention from those of the circumcision for associating with uncircumcised men. Peter recounted his vision of the sheet from heaven and the divine command to eat, followed by the arrival of messengers from Cornelius. He explained how the Holy Ghost fell upon Cornelius's household even as he spoke, just as it had on the apostles at Pentecost. Recognizing God's work, the brethren in Jerusalem ceased their objections and glorified God for granting repentance unto life to the Gentiles. Separately, believers scattered by persecution preached the Lord Jesus to Grecians in Antioch, resulting in many conversions. The Jerusalem church sent Barnabas, who, seeing God's grace, brought Saul from Tarsus, and they taught in Antioch for a year, where the disciples were first called Christians. A prophet named Agabus foretold a famine, prompting the Antioch church to send relief to Judaea through Barnabas and Saul.

Long Summary

The apostles and brethren in Judaea heard that Gentiles had received the word of God, leading to contention with Peter upon his arrival in Jerusalem, as they questioned his association with uncircumcised men. Peter meticulously recounted his experience from the beginning, detailing his trance in Joppa where he saw a great sheet filled with various creatures and heard a voice commanding him to eat, declaring that what God had cleansed should not be called common. This vision occurred three times, immediately followed by the arrival of three men sent from Caesarea. The Spirit directed Peter to accompany them without doubt, and he, along with six brethren, went to Cornelius's house. There, Cornelius explained his own vision of an angel instructing him to send for Peter, who would speak words of salvation. As Peter began to preach, the Holy Ghost fell upon the Gentiles, just as it had upon the apostles at Pentecost, reminding Peter of John's prophecy concerning baptism with the Holy Ghost. Concluding that he could not withstand God, Peter's explanation silenced his accusers, who then glorified God for granting repentance unto life to the Gentiles. Concurrently, believers dispersed by the persecution following Stephen's death traveled to regions like Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch, initially preaching only to Jews. However, some men from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching the Lord Jesus to the Grecians in Antioch, and the Lord's hand was with them, leading to a great number believing and turning to the Lord. News of this reached the Jerusalem church, who sent Barnabas to Antioch. Barnabas, a good man full of the Holy Ghost and faith, rejoiced at the grace of God he witnessed and exhorted the new believers to cleave to the Lord. He then departed to Tarsus to find Saul, bringing him back to Antioch, where they taught the church for a whole year. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians. During this time, prophets came from Jerusalem, and Agabus prophesied a great famine throughout the world, which came to pass under Claudius Caesar. In response, the disciples in Antioch, each according to their ability, determined to send relief to the brethren in Judaea, dispatching it to the elders via Barnabas and Saul.

Core Concepts

  • Gentile InclusionPeter's vision and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Ghost on Cornelius's household demonstrate God's intention to extend salvation and the Gospel to Gentiles, breaking down traditional Jewish-Gentile barriers.
  • Peter's Defense and JustificationPeter's detailed recounting of his divine experiences, including the vision of the sheet and the Spirit's directive, served to justify his actions to the circumcised believers in Jerusalem, leading them to accept Gentile conversion.
  • The Holy Ghost's RoleThe Holy Ghost is central, guiding Peter, confirming the legitimacy of Gentile conversions by falling upon them, and reminding Peter of Christ's promise of baptism by the Spirit.
  • Spread of the Gospel to AntiochPersecution in Jerusalem inadvertently led to the expansion of the Gospel beyond Jewish communities to Grecians in Antioch, marking a significant step in the church's growth.
  • Barnabas and Saul's MinistryBarnabas, sent from Jerusalem, recognized God's grace in Antioch and sought Saul, bringing him to teach there, forming a crucial partnership that strengthened the burgeoning church.
  • Origin of "Christians"The disciples were first called "Christians" in Antioch, signifying their distinct identity and allegiance to Christ.
  • Early Church BenevolenceThe prophecy of a famine prompted the Antioch church to organize and send financial relief to the brethren in Judaea, demonstrating practical love and unity among early Christian communities.