Chapter 11

(Acts 11 KJV) "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, {3} Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

This battle was a long way from over. Peter and the men with him saw this with their own eyes, but the people had not seen it held to their old ways. Note well this response, because it is reflective of the attitude and custom of the church up to this day.

 {4} But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, {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: {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. {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. {9} But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. {10} And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. {11} And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. {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: {13} And he showed 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; {14} Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. {15} And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. {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 Ghost. {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? {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.

So, they were convinced--for the time being. But these old attitudes die hard and even Peter himself would later lapse. Meanwhile something very important was happening elsewhere.

{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.

Most of them still did not understand that the gospel was for everyone, not just for the Jews. And so it was left to men whose names we do not even know to establish the first Gentile church which turned out to be the most important missionary church in history.

It wasn’t Jerusalem, in spite of everything that happened there. Every missionary effort that ever was originated in Jerusalem, but they were never truly generated by the church. People were scattered by persecution and took the gospel with them. And in spite of all Jesus’ instructions, apart from a few Samaritans, the gospel was taken to the grand total of two Gentiles, the Ethiopian Eunuch and Cornelius the centurion, both efforts undertaken by the express intervention of God. The exclusivism of the Jewish Christians still controlled. God is the God of the Jews, not the Gentiles, they thought. They ought to have known better

{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. {21} And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

{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. {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. {24} For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

The result was an established church that was, in a majority, non Jewish. The first. Barnabas then made another fateful decision.

{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. {29} Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: {30} Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul."

The first organized relief effort in the church originated in Antioch. It was a group of Gentiles sending aid to the saints in Jerusalem. There were a lot of Christians in and around Jerusalem, but it is fascinating that the first signs of organized effort start to take shape in Antioch, which was largely a gentile church.

I would like to extol the benefits of believing prayer, but what follows is a truly classic case of the marvelous results of unbelieving prayer.

The Sinless Life
Have you ever considered what it would mean  if you could just live a sinless life?

Youth in Action
Never in our history have young people needed Bible learning and Christian youth programs more than they do today.