College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Acts 11:1-18
AT JERUSALEM. Acts 11:1-18.
a.
News reaches Jerusalem; objection. Acts 11:1-3.
Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.
And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
Acts 11:1-3 The news of Peter's work in Caesarea traveled faster than the apostle. The word of the preaching to the Gentiles had spread throughout the entire assembly by the time Peter arrived. Not only the apostles of Jerusalem heard, but also the brethren that were in Judea.
The report of Peter's work was that the Gentiles also had received the Word of God. But when Peter arrived, the point at issue was not the reception of the Word of God but rather the propriety of eating with the uncircumcised.
352.
Name the two groups in Jerusalem that heard of Peter's work in Casearea.
353.
What was the point of issue when Peter returned to Jerusalem?
b.
The answer of Peter. Acts 11:4-18.
But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying,
I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me:
upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven.
And I heard also a voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.
But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth.
But a voice answered the second time out of heaven, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.
And this was done thrice: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
And behold, forthwith three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent from Caesarea unto me.
And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man's house:
and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter;
who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.
And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
If then God gave unto them the like gift as he did also unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?
And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life.
Acts 11:4-17 There was no delay in raising the issue, probably because of the previous close association of Peter and these brethren. They of the circumcision gave voice to the objection. The terminology would seem to indicate these were the ones among the Jewish brethren who were special sticklers for the rite of circumcision. We are persuaded it came from some among the brethren that were in Judea. The apostles all being Galileans and coming from the more humble walks of life would not be so ready to take up such an exclusive position. Especially would this be true in light of the fact that the apostles had been baptized with the Holy Spirit and thus would have a more complete knowledge of the will of the Lord.
354.
Who do you suppose voiced the objection?
What the brethren in Judea and Jerusalem wanted was an answer to their question and charge. Peter did not disappoint them. Peter was just as hesitant as were these other Jews to admit the Gentiles into the full favor of God. Peter thought that what convinced him and the other six Jewish brethren should convince his objectors. Hence, he rehearsed in order all that had happened to him beginning with his vision on the house-top of Simon the tanner and concluding with the baptism in the Holy Spirit of the household of Cornelius. The only word to be added to the account as it has already been given is the statement of Peter in verses fifteen to seventeen where we find the words of Jesus respecting John's baptism and the Holy Spirit baptism which lends emphasis to the Holy Spirit's work with the household of Cornelius. Peter says the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. That is, God himself placed His stamp of acceptance upon these persons; and that, totally apart from any effort of Peter. This happened unto them even as it had happened to the apostles in the beginning or creation of the church. Then the words of Jesus immediately came to the mind of the apostle; those words which he had thought had exclusive application to him and the eleven. But now for some strange reason (he was not long in seeing) the same gift, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, was given to these Gentiles as was given to the apostles.
Acts 11:18 Peter had been given two or three divinely directed reasons for bringing the gospel to the Gentiles; now he could see that the Lord intended that he hold no barriers at all but accept these persons into the full fellowship of the body of Christ. Peter felt that to do anything else would be resisting and refusing the will of God. The response of these Jewish brethren is wonderful. It is a beautiful pattern for all of us. When we have disagreed with a brother or sister over any matter of God's will and that person presents the will of God from His word, let us follow their example. Note:
1.
When God speaks we are to keep quiet. They held their peace, They were not stubborn and willful but ready to concede.
2.
Then we are to thank God for new truth or light (and they glorified God) rather than grudgingly admitting our inability to object.
3.
Admit into full and unrestricted fellowship those you had once cut off. Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life.
355.
What method did Peter use in convincing the apostles and brethren of Judea?
356.
What is the meaning of the term beginning as it appears in Acts 11:15?
357.
Why can we say that the response of these Jewish brethren was wonderful? How does it offer an example for today?