Peter has just gone to Caesarea and saw the Lord give salvation to the Gentiles. He saw how they were filled with the Holy Ghost through a sign given to him by the Lord Jesus Christ when He allowed the Gentiles to speak with tongues.
The other Apostles needed to hear about this great work, and they needed to decide how they were going to send the gospel to the Gentile nations.
Acts 11:1-3- And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also 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.
When the Jews in Jerusalem heard all that Peter had done, they were upset that he went against the laws of Moses and the tradition of the Jews. Peter had to tell them what God taught him while he was in Joppa.
Acts 11:4-12- But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, 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: 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. And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
Peter told them all about the vision, and the men who were sent by an angel to find him, and how the Holy Spirit told him to go with the Gentile men.
Acts 11:15-17- And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 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. 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?
Peter told them how the Holy Ghost fell on them before they were baptized with water. Then he told them that He wasn't going to stand against God if it was His will for the Gentile nation to receive salvation.
Acts 11:18- When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
This was an amazing development for the Jews, but they accepted that the Lord had done this and they praised Him for the revelation.
Up to this point the Christians that had fled from the persecution of the Jewish religious leaders were preaching the gospel to the Jewish people only.
Acts 11:19-24- 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. 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. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 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. 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. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
As these Christians spread into the Gentile nations, it was only a matter of time before the Gentiles heard of this gospel. When it was known in Jerusalem that many in Antioch had believed, the Apostles sent Barnabas to see and teach those who were saved.
Barnabas was the man who had taken Saul before the Apostles and confirmed that he was no more a persecutor of the church, but that he was now a champion of the faith.
Saul had been in Tarsus learning more about the Lord Jesus Christ and growing in grace and faith. Barnabas knew that it was time to see if Saul was ready for the purpose to which Christ had called him.
Acts 11:25-26- Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 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.
Barnabas and Saul returned to Antioch and began to preach and teach in that city for a whole year. It was in this city that a new name was given to the followers of Jesus Christ- Christians.
There was no word before that was used to describe someone who was a disciple of Christ, because there were only a few. But now that the followers of Christ had grown to such a great number, they were called after the description of the work done in their hearts- Christ like.
II Corinthians 5:17- Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
A Christian is suppose to be different from the world, because we are now the children of God. We shouldn't speak like the world, or act like the world; we should speak and act like Christ!
Acts 11:27-30- And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 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. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
The Lord gave certain prophets the foreknowledge of a dearth, or famine, that was going to happen through the known world. It was agreed on that supplies should be taken up to help the Christians in the areas that would be most affected. These supplies were given to Barnabas and Saul to take to those in need.
A turning point was happening in the Christian world. There would be good times and bad times. But, the Lord Jesus Christ promised that He would always be there for the Christian no matter what his circumstances.
Romans 8:35, 38-39- Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
No matter where we are, or what we are going through, we always have a friend with us. He is our Comforter, Guide, Strength, Protector, and so much more! How can we fail when we have such an amazing promise?
