Imagine a world where boundaries define who belongs. In Acts 11, Peter shatters that concept with a vision from God that changes everything for the early church.
The Reading: Acts 11
World English Bible1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
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2 When Peter had come up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended with him,
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3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men, and ate with them!”
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4 But Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying,
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5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain container descending, like it was a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners. It came as far as me.
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6 When I had looked intently at it, I considered, and saw the four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky.
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7 I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter, kill and eat!’
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8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered into my mouth.’
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9 But a voice answered me the second time out of heaven, ‘What God has cleansed, don’t you call unclean.’
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10 This was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.
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11 Behold, immediately three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent from Caesarea to me.
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12 The Spirit told me to go with them, without discriminating. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house.
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13 He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying to him, ‘Send to Joppa, and get Simon, who is called Peter,
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14 who will speak to you words by which you will be saved, you and all your house.’
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15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.
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16 I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.’
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17 If then God gave to them the same gift as us, when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?”
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18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!”
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19 They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only.
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20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
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21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
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22 The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch,
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23 who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord.
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24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.
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25 Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul.
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26 When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
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27 Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
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28 One of them named Agabus stood up, and indicated by the Spirit that there should be a great famine all over the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius.
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29 As any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea;
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30 which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
What This Chapter Is Really Saying
Peter's Vision
In Jerusalem, the apostles were buzzing with news - Gentiles had received the word of God! This was groundbreaking. When Peter returned to Jerusalem, he faced criticism from fellow Jews who couldn't believe he'd dined with uncircumcised Gentiles.
To defend himself, Peter recounted a vivid experience in Joppa. While praying, he fell into a trance and saw a large sheet descending from heaven, filled with all kinds of animals. A voice urged him to eat, but Peter, adhering to Jewish dietary laws, protested. The voice insisted that what God has cleansed should not be called unclean. After three repetitions, Peter was left pondering its meaning. Suddenly, messengers from a Gentile named Cornelius arrived, sent to bring Peter to his home.
Acceptance of the Gentiles
Peter complied, entering the home of Cornelius, who had been visited by an angel. As Peter spoke, the Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentiles, just as it had on the Jews at Pentecost. In that moment, Peter realized that God had granted the same gift of salvation to the Gentiles. The Jerusalem church was initially shocked but soon rejoiced, recognizing that God had indeed opened the door to all nations.
The Growth of the Church
Meanwhile, scattered believers traveled to places like Phoenicia and Antioch, sharing the message. Some broke tradition and preached to Gentiles, leading to a significant number of conversions. The church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch, where he found a vibrant community of new believers. Encouraged by their growth, Barnabas sought out Saul, and together they taught the disciples for an entire year. It was in Antioch that followers of Jesus were first called Christians.
A Prophetic Warning
As if this wasn't enough, a prophet named Agabus predicted a famine. The disciples took this revelation seriously, deciding to send relief to the church in Judea, illustrating their commitment to support one another.
Why It Matters
Embracing Inclusivity
Acts 11 teaches us a powerful lesson about inclusivity. Just as Peter learned to embrace Gentiles, we are called to break down barriers and welcome everyone into our communities. This means looking beyond our differences and recognizing that God's love is for all people.
Openness to Change
Peter's vision was a radical shift for the early church, reminding us that sometimes God calls us to rethink our traditions and biases. Being open to divine guidance can lead to incredible transformations within our hearts and communities.
Community Support
The early church exemplified the importance of supporting one another, even across geographic and cultural lines. By sending aid to Jerusalem, they showed that faith extends beyond personal belief - it's about caring for one another.
To experience community and support in your faith journey, find a church near you where you can connect with others.
Conclusion
As we reflect on Acts 11, let us strive to be more inclusive, open to change, and supportive of one another, just as the early church did. Each of us has a role in promoting love and acceptance in our own communities.
Coming Up Next: Acts 12
In the next part of our journey through Acts, we'll encounter an incredible story of Peter's miraculous escape from prison. Will he be saved, or is this the end? Join us in Acts 12 to find out!