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,
These circumcision ones are the Jews and Israel. They heard what Peter had done in giving the Gospel of Christ to the Gentiles and they're mad about it. When you give The Truth to someone, some will accept it and hunger for more and some will hate you for it. What's important is you feed them. I have been attacked many times even by family because of speaking The Gospel. Have been told "people don't want to hear it" I guess they forget who I am and what I do. It's their problem, not ours because we are not to please people, but God.
3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
Peter went to those Gentiles and ate what they ate. He used it as an opportunity to FEED them. What we eat isn't a sin to our soul but our flesh if it's those things we shouldn't eat.
4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
Peter told the story from the beginning, where he was sitting on the roof at Simon the tanner's house.
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:
Remember we saw this in Acts 10:11 and found its meaning at the end of the Chapter as Peter preached to ALL people, 4 = earth. God's Word covers the world in all languages just as this sheet in Peters vision.
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.
Peter looked and saw these of the earth. Spiritually the clean = good and unclean = evil, would hear The Word.
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.
The law told Peter not to take certain things into his body.
9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
Look at this spiritually! Once someone accepts Christ they are cleansed.
10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
3 = Resurrection, Divine Completeness and Perfection. Peter was shown these things three times for emphasis and to witness to those Gentiles that they become new, following Christ Perfection.
11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
Another sign from God to Peter. Caesarea may have been the one that sent them, but God is The One that told him to do it.
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 Angel told Peter to go and not to have ANY doubt. With these six and Peter we have 7 = spiritual completeness and they will teach salvation to all the Gentiles.
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;
Cornelius is explaining to Peter how The Angel of God came into His house and the things The Angel said to Peter.
14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
That would be you today. That is if you believe Christ Jesus died for you and rose again on the 3rd day. Go tell your house and the world†
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Peter is telling them what happened when they heard about Christ Jesus and when they received Him in their believe. As in Acts 2:6 they understood what was said in the dialect or language in which they were born. That was their sign The Holy Spirit was with them.
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 Spirit.
Upon belief you are baptized. You can have that peace only The Holy Spirit gives. No need to take a bath in order to be saved as many preach, they're traditionalist.
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?
Peter is saying, `Who am I that I could argue with God?' God said give them The Truth of The Word, so I gave it to them.
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 that ALL upon repentance in Christ Jesus Yashua's name could be saved.
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.
"Jews" here should read Israel. The tribes "scattered abroad" are the Christian nations of today. It wasn't just the house of Judah, but all the tribes preaching The Word.
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.
"Preaching the Lord Jesus"!
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
When we do what is right while having Christ in our hearts, "the hand of The Lord" will always be with you. Good people DON'T go to heaven, Christians do! The whole point of this life isn't to be good, but to chose the world and satan or Christ Jesus Yahshua. It isn't by our works, but by Him we are saved. Once saved we must change our works to better serve Him. Ephesians 2:8-10 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
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.
Barnabas was the one The Angel of God appeared to, telling him Paul was truly a new person in The Lord.
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.
As with Barnabas, Paul, Peter, etc. a real Christian will spread The Love of God and with that His Word.
24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
Barnabas did the work of The Lord and others were blessed by it.
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.
"Agabus"= "locust" very fitting as it was 41 A.D.- 54 A.D. Claudius Caesar was reigning at this time.
29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
A Christian will do their best to do their duty as a Christian. Everyone has a gift given by God and should use it for His purpose.
30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Barnabas and Saul carried relief in substance and Word to help all those Christians in Judaea. God sent them because of the Romans and kenites persecuting them. God will always send help if the people would only listen to Him and move on it. FAITH †