Christians
Acts 11:1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
News of the Gentiles receiving the Holy Ghost had reached Jerusalem. This was a new thing, this receiving the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues. Truly it has come to all the people.
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Acts 11:2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
Acts 11:3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
Legalists were in the church then and they are in the church today. Whenever God moves by his Spirit, they impose rules. "God doesn't work this way, it has never been done before, this does not fit our way of thinking." The flesh man fears the spirit man. The spirit of God is not by rules, but by grace and that through faith.
Acts 11:4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
Acts 11:5 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:
Take note that he did not tell the legalistic Jewish believers about staying with the "unclean" tanner. That would have given them more fuel, as it was he was feeling the heat of their wrath. We should not fear the opinions of others, even in the Church. If what you are doing is of God, let him be your defense.
Acts 11:6 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.
Acts 11:7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
Acts 11:8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
Acts 11:9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
This was in reference to allowing Gentiles into fellowship with Jews in the church.
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Acts 11:10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
Acts 11:11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
Peter testifies of the events preceding the outpouring of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 11:12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
The Holy Spirit repeats this story, giving it importance. Anything repeated in scriptures is something God wants us to be sure to understand. Six witnesses to the truth of Peter's story. Yet, the true witness was God's Spirit poured out on the Gentiles, who spoke in tongues and glorified God.
1 John 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
1 John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1 John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
Acts 11:13 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;
Acts 11:14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
Acts 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Acts 11:16 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.
This was the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, the Baptism of Jesus.
Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Acts 11:17 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?
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
They understood by the power of the Holy Spirit of truth. These were Christian Jewish converts and were hanging on to Judaism with its ceremonial laws. The Spirit within showed them this new revelation, they held there peace and glorified God. At times we just need to be quiet, and pray before we protest.
1 Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1 Cor 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
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.
Acts 11:20 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.
Acts 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
The first evangelists spoke only to the Jews in outward countries, but some reached out to the Hellenists, the Gentiles and a great number were saved. It is a pattern followed by Paul, he first spoke in the synagogues to the Jews, because Jesus came first to the Jews as promised by the prophets. Then he would witness to the Gentiles.
The hand of the Lord was with them and many turned to the Lord. If God's hand is not present there is no fruit. Often the hand of the Lord comes in judgment.
Psa 89:13 Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.
Psa 89:14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
Psa 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
Psa 89:16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
Psa 89:17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.
Psa 89:18 For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.
Acts 11:22 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.
Acts 11:23 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.
The church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas, the encourager, to Antioch to see this new thing of Jewish and Gentile converts. He saw the grace of God had indeed come to both, he was glad and encouraged them all to continue in the faith.
Acts 11:24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
Barnabas, scriptures record that he was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and faith. Now that is a good description of Barnabas. Would you like to be remembered this way? I would. Not only was he a blessing but he also led others to the Lord. He was not just a plaster saint to be admired, but a living evangelist following in the footsteps of Jesus.
Acts 11:25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
Acts 11:26 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.
Barnabas remembered Saul and went for him, it had been 11 or 12 years since they first met. It was Barbabas who brought Saul to the church to be received as an apostle, now it was time for the apostle to minister to this new church. It may be safe to say that the first Christian Church was taught by Saul and Barnabas. I would have enjoyed this powerful ministry team. The word went forth with power, grace and love. It should be this way today.
Acts 11:27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
Acts 11:28 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.
Acts 11:29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
Acts 11:30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
The Christians determined to send relief unto the brethren in Jerusalem. If we are determined to do something, we will do it. They trusted Barnabas and Saul to deliver the offering to Jerusalem.
Antioch was the place of the first Christian church. There the folllowers of Christ mockingly called them "Christians", the name stuck. The age of the Gentile Church had begun.
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Gary
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