Lesson 19
Acts, Chapter 11
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Time Frame (Acts 11)
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Chapter begins immediately after
Cornelius conversion, as Peter
goes to Jerusalem and defends his
preaching to the Gentiles (1-18)
Sometime between Cornelius’
conversion and the death of
Herod in A.D. 44 (chap. 12), the
events in Antioch took place (4043 A.D.)
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Peter in Jerusalem (1-18) 1
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Apostles and Brethren in Judea
heard about the Conversion of
Cornelius (1-3)
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“Those of the circumcision” would refer to the
Judaizers rather than Jews in general
They contended with Peter about his
preaching to the Gentiles
Peter’s Answer (4-14)
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Includes a recounting of his vision (4-10)
Includes a recounting of Cornelius’ vision (113
Peter in Jerusalem (1-18) 2
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The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (1516)
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Note: The event happened “as I began to
speak”. Coupled with verse 14, indicates that
Holy Spirit baptism NOT for salvation
Event on this occasion the same as on
Pentecost “at the beginning”
Significance in the phrase “at the beginning”
• Beginning of Gospel
• Beginning of Kingdom/Church
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Peter in Jerusalem (1-18) 3
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The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (1516)
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Peter in verse 16 identifies this as the
“baptism” (immersion) in the Holy Spirit
Identical gift as that given to the Apostles on
Pentecost
Significance: This gift is given to indicate
that it is not whether one is circumcised or
not that determines his standing before God,
rather faith in Christ
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Peter in Jerusalem (1-18) 4
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The Gentiles Inclusion was God’s
Will (17)
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Peter could not withstand God’s will
Man must submit to the will of God
The Jews were Convinced (18)
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Praise to God, the giver of life
Granting Repentance indicates that God had
granted unto the Gentiles the right to gain life
by responding to the gospel by repentance.
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Barnabas and Saul at Antioch
(19-26) 1
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Church established in Antioch (1922)
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A new and important portion of the history of
the church begins with these words
Up to this point, Luke’s history deals
primarily with efforts to preach to the Jews
From this point on the emphasis is upon
efforts to convert the Gentiles
Persecution mentioned here is that following
Stephen’s death, as recorded in (8:1-ff)
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Barnabas and Saul at Antioch
(19-26) 2
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Church established in Antioch (1922)
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Phoenicia – Country, 120 miles long and 15
miles wide, located north of Palestine
between the shores of the Mediterranean sea
and the slopes of the Lebanon mountains.
Cyprus – An island off the southern coast of
Asia Minor, in the Mediterranean Sea
Antioch – Located in Syria, on the banks of
the river Orontes, near the junction of the
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Lebanon and Taurus mountain ranges
Barnabas and Saul at Antioch
(19-26) 3
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Church established in Antioch (1922)
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Initially the preaching was done only to the
Jews
Men from Cyprus and Cyrene began
preaching to the Gentiles (Hellenists) also.
Context would indicate the word “Hellenists”
here is referring, in contrast, to the Gentiles
rather than to the Hellenist Jews.
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Barnabas and Saul at Antioch
(19-26) 4
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Church established in Antioch (19-22)
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God blessed their efforts at preaching, and
many were saved. (“believed” and “turned to
the Lord”).
Barnabas sent to Antioch (22-24)
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Barnabas was well qualified, (cf. Acts 4:36-37),
to encourage the brethren in Antioch
Note description of Barnabas (vs. 23-24) A
good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.
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Barnabas and Saul at Antioch
(19-26) 5
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Barnabas brings Saul to Antioch (2526)
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Saul in Tarsus, comes to Antioch
Saul and Barnabas spend a year in Antioch
Assembled and taught (importance of
teaching).
The name Christian (26)
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One of three times the word is used (cf. Acts
26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).
The only “proper” name used for God’s
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Famine in Judea (27-30) 1
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Prophets visit Antioch (27-28)
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While Saul and Barnabas were laboring with
the church there
Agabus, speaking from inspiration, prophesied
an impending famine.
Famine took place during the reign of Claudius
Caesar (AD. 41-54). Several famines during
his reign
One in Judea happened in 45 AD, which would
fit nicely in this context
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Famine in Judea (27-30) 2
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Benevolence purposed by Christians
in Antioch (29-30)
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Individuals determined (free will offering)
Congregation sent the gift directly
Money sent to the elders in Judea
Money sent for the benefit of the Christians
during this emergency
This constitutes a pattern with regard to the
scope and method of benevolence in the New
Testament
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