ACTS 11 - Peter explains actions

NOTES BY VERSE

Note: each ** comment in this document is listed in numerical order according to the verse(s) from this chapter

** Man baptizes with water while God baptizes with the Holy Spirit

• No one in the Tribulation will be baptized in the way believers were baptized during the Church age

• Instead, there will be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that will lead to Christ's second coming

Acts 11:16 NIV

[16] Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

Matthew 3:11 NIV

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

** Believers should seek God's direction and join Him in His plan

• Be careful not to unwittingly interfere in God's plan, for His plan will succeed regardless if that is our desire as well

• God cannot be stopped, regardless of our efforts and ego!

Acts 11:15-17 NIV

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

** Others may object to the way God directs you but they may better understand after learning details and hearing about your experience

• The Jewish believers were outraged at first at such a blatant breach of Jewish custom when Peter interacted with the Gentiles

Acts 11:18 NIV

[18] When they heard [Peter's explanation] they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

** Antioch was a place consumed with evil, yet the early church there flourished even though they had to meet in a cemetery  <M1501>

• In dark times, the church can flourish

• Antioch represents a picture of the end times church

• Its name 'Antioch' at the time implied 'holding fast resisting other spirits'

• Let this early church bring hope to the remnant church in the last days relying on God to take it through the evil and trials that surround

• The world will not understand this willing response to suffer but may lead some to acknowledge Christ as Savior as a result

Acts 11:19 NIV

[19] Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews.

Acts 14:21-22 NIV

[21] They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, [22] strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

Isaiah 60:1-2 NIV

[1] “Arise, shine, for your light has come,

 and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. [2] See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.

** Repentance offered to the Gentiles was prophesied in the Old Testament

• These prophecies increased the effort to spread the gospel in New Testament times

• Peter 'broke the ice' from Jewish tradition while the Lord was with the Gentiles to turn their hearts to Him

Isaiah 42:1,6 NIV

[1] “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,

 my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. [6] “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles

1 Corinthians 14:32 NIV

[32] The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.

Ephesians 2:20 NIV

[20] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

Acts 11:20-21 NIV

[20] Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. [21] The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

Acts 12:25 NIV

[25] When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.

Acts 13:1 NIV

[1] Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.

** Barnabas was one of the first missionaries sent by the Jerusalem church to Antioch, a wonderful example of a man filled with the Holy Spirit encouraging others to remain true to the Lord; other missionaries followed him

• It was one thing to accept Gentile converts into a predominant Jewish church, but now in Antioch which was a major city in the Empire having an established Gentile church

• Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem to find out what was happening and encourage new converts to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts

• He was an excellent choice and one of the few sensitive Jewish Christian leaders sensitive enough to sense what God was about

• Barnabas was also able to resist the temptation to impose a Jewish lifestyle on these Gentile converts  <R1795>

Acts 11:22-24 NIV

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

Acts 11:27-28 NIV

[27] During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. [28] One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)

** Saul and Barnabas taught young Christians during the early years in Antioch

Acts 11:25-26 NIV

[25] Then Barnabas went to Tarsus 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 were called Christians first at Antioch.

** The disciples were first called 'Christians' in Antioch, for those who accepted the teaching of the apostles  <L125>  

Acts 11:26b NIV

[26] The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

** The lives of the converts were so different from their unbelieving neighbors to the point they were called Christians. It is supposed that the name was given to them in mockery or contempt by the heathen people of Antioch. But the name stuck, and is now used universally to describe those who follow Christ. It may not be the very best of names.

Perhaps DISCIPLES is better which means learners, followers. We should all be disciples of Christ and should ever be learning of Him, growing in grace and likeness of Him as we follow Him.

Perhaps BELIEVERS is a better name. It carries in itself the thought that we are saved by believing in Christ. It is faith which works the victories in this world.

Perhaps FOLLOWERS would be better. To follow Christ is to receive Him as Master and to cling to Him in obedience and devotion wherever we may go.

But the word "Christian," given at Antioch as a sneer, is now used everywhere. It is full of meaning. Those who are Christians should be like Christ — "little Christs". They should represent Christ in the world. Those who see them should see the image of Christ in them!  <M136>

Hitherto the followers of Christ were called disciples, that is, learners, scholars; but from that time they were called Christians. The proper meaning of this name is, a follower of Christ; it denotes one who, from serious thought, embraces the religion of Christ, believes His promises, and makes it his chief care to shape his life by Christ's precepts and example. Hence it is plain that multitudes take the name of Christian--to whom it does not rightly belong! But the name without the reality--will only add to our guilt. While the bare profession will bestow neither profit nor delight, the possession of it will give both the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.  <H83>

Acts 11:26b NIV

[26] The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

** Christians are to support their brothers and sisters; follow the example of the early church providing an offering for the destitute believers in famine-stricken Jerusalem

• All giving to the Lord’s work was to be a freewill offering spurred by their love and vow to one another

• In a similar fashion, Christians are to support those in need today

1 Corinthians 16:1-2 NIV

[1] Now about the collection for the Lord's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. [2] On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

Acts 11:28-30 NIV

[28] One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) [29] The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. [30] This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NIV

[6] Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. [7] Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

1 Corinthians 13:3 NIV

[3] If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

** Disciples used their abilities to help fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in whatever way possible

Acts 11:29-30 NIV

[29] The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. [30] This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.