Acts 11 - Summary

Historical setting

This chapter takes place in the late 30s or early 40s of the first century. The Jerusalem church, led by the apostles, consisted of Jews who believed Jesus was the Messiah. Peter has just returned from Caesarea on the coast, where Roman officials and soldiers lived. Word reaches the apostles that Peter has been associating with and eating with Gentiles (non-Jews), which was shocking behaviour in Jewish circles at that time. Peter must now defend his actions to the Jerusalem leadership, particularly to those who held strict views on Jewish religious law.

Life and customs

Jewish law, as understood in this period, divided foods and people into categories of clean and unclean. A devout Jew did not eat with Gentiles because their food preparation and handling did not follow Jewish dietary rules, and eating together symbolised fellowship and acceptance. The vision Peter describes uses the language of unclean animals to represent Gentiles themselves. When Peter claims that "nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth," he means he has kept the Jewish law. The question the passage takes for granted is whether Gentiles who believe in Jesus must first become Jewish, observing all these laws, or whether they can enter the church directly. This was the major dispute of early Christianity. Famine relief sent from one church to another was a visible expression of unity in faith.

What the text says

Verses 1 to 3: The apostles and believers in Judaea hear that Gentiles have received God's word. When Peter comes to Jerusalem, those "of the circumcision" (those who emphasise Jewish law) challenge him for eating with uncircumcised men.

Verses 4 to 11: Peter recounts his vision in Joppa, in which he saw a sheet lowered from heaven holding unclean animals. A voice told him to kill and eat, but he refused because he had never eaten unclean food. The voice replied that what God has cleansed he must not call unclean. This happened three times. Then three men arrived, sent from Caesarea.

Verses 12 to 14: The Spirit told Peter to go with these men without hesitation. Six other believers accompanied him. The man who sent for him, Cornelius, had seen an angel telling him to summon Peter, who would speak words of salvation to his household.

Verses 15 to 18: As Peter spoke, the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentile listeners just as it had at Pentecost. Peter recognised this as the fulfillment of John's baptism prophecy. He concluded that if God gave them the same gift as Jewish believers, he could not resist God's action. The apostles fell silent and glorified God, saying God had granted repentance leading to life even to Gentiles.

Verses 19 to 21: Scattered believers from the persecution following Stephen had travelled to Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching to Jews only. Some from Cyprus and Cyrene spoke to Greeks in Antioch, preaching Jesus. Many believed and turned to the Lord.

Verses 22 to 26: Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch. He saw God's grace at work, encouraged the believers, and was full of the Holy Spirit. He then went to Tarsus to find Saul, brought him to Antioch, and they taught together for a year. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Takeaways

• Peter's vision and the Spirit's action on Gentiles resolved for the apostles the question of whether non-Jews must become Jewish to join the church.
• The Antioch church grew rapidly among Greek speakers and became a new centre from which Jesus was preached beyond Jerusalem.
• The unity of scattered churches was expressed through mutual aid in times of crisis.