Commentary by Ron Beckham

Verse 1.  "Now the apostles and the brethren who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God."

Word gets around.  I’ve often been amazed at how quickly gossip spreads in our Churches.  The other night I was on the telephone with someone I had neither seen nor talked with in months and we do not attend the same Churches.  This person told me something they had heard about me, which had a grain of truth but was badly garbled in the retelling.

And the information people spread around about others tends to be negative.  The word about these Gentiles had spread like wildfire through the early Church.  That Gentiles could receive God was good news, but as we shall se in the next verses, the "brethren who were throughout Judea" were not pleased.

Verse 2.  "And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those who were circumcised took issue with him,"

"Those who were circumcised (Jewish Christians) took issue" with Peter.   Those who were baptized in a certain way, often take issue with those who were baptized in a different way.  Is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit a separate event, or is it synonymous with salvation?  On what day(s) of the week do we worship?   And WHY do these issues divide us?  Just like the other Jews attacked Peter, so those in Churches often attack one another.

There is an elitism which creeps in and destroys the Church.  That’s what happened to Israel.  They were given special dispensation by God, and the purpose was so they would tell the nations about Him.  They didn’t do it & instead most of them decided they were somehow better than other people.  The sin of pride destroyed their nation.  How far does the Church go down "Pride Street", before God judges our land, our people, our Church?

Verse 3.  "saying, ‘You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.’"

An accusation was directed at Peter:  "You went to uncircumcised men (Gentiles) and ate with them;" and we do the same kind of thing in the Church.   Those of "other" denominations are often treated like enemies.  We tend to regard others as if they followed "another Jesus" as Paul said (in another place).  Sometimes the accusation is true; but often we attack those who really are our brothers and sisters in Christ.  That the Gentiles had received the Lord was a cause for rejoicing, but instead these people attacked Peter, God’s man for that moment.

I am not the judge of this earth and neither are you.  The word "ecumenical" (a movement toward Christian unity) has had bad press, because some of those who promote "unity" are not of our Lord.  I don’t encourage that kind of "ecumenical" but I urge you to RECEIVE the one who is in Christ, even if you don’t agree on much else.  Often, when we disagree in love, we stand to learn from one another and grow in our Lord.

Verse 4.  "But Peter began speaking and proceeded to explain to them in orderly sequence, saying,"

Notice Peter’s explanation contained an "orderly sequence" of events.   He simply recited the facts as he had seen them, and as he had heard what was said.   Each of the Apostles had become that kind of person – who just told things like they saw them.  We should be like them.  In the commentary on the next verses, we will examine the events previously recorded in Chapter 10.  This will be a verse-by-verse comparison of the events themselves, and of the recital about them in this chapter.

Verse 5.  "I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object coming down like a great sheet lowered by four corners from the sky; and it came right down to me,"

In Acts 10:10, which describes the direct account of this occurrence, we learned that Peter had been very hungry and the "trance" he entered was during the normal time for preparation of food.  The "object…like a great sheet" is mentioned in Acts 10:11.  Notice he said "like" a great sheet.   In all of the visions of Scripture, those who viewed and reported such events attempted to describe what they saw.

The problem is that we try to define spiritual events and revelations in human terms.  "From the sky" or from the "heavenlies" means this object was literally outside of our space-time continuum altogether and our understanding, like Peter’s, is limited at best.  We can know Him (the Lord) perfectly, and yet not fully understand Him.  Whatever this thing was, it came right at Peter and surprised him.

Verse 6.  "and when I had fixed my gaze on it and was observing it I saw the four-footed animals of the earth and the wild beasts and the crawling creatures and the birds of the air."

As also reported in Acts 10:11-12, the "sheet" contained all kinds of creatures.  Bears, rhinos, seagulls, insects – you name it and it was there.   I’m still impressed that the "animals" of Scripture often represent people.   That is certainly the case here.

Another example is Deuteronomy 25:4, which says "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain."  That puzzled me for a long time, until I discovered 1 Corinthians 9:9, where the Deuteronomy verse is quoted.  In the context of that verse, "oxen" is found to be pastors.  Paul tended to refrain from taking money from people (he was an independent contractor who made tents) but he defended the concept that the pastor may be sustained by his "flock."  This verse (using "animals of the earth") presents the truth that other people (besides Jews) are worthy of salvation in the sight of God.  (See verse 9; "What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.")

Verse 7.  "And I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Arise, Peter; kill and eat.'"

In this verse (and in Acts 10:13), the Lord went right to Peter’s religious and cultural bias, and attacked his limited belief structure.  Peter would be drawn out of the limitations of his culture, and immediately he would be sent to the Gentiles.   "Kill and eat" for him, was a command to fraternize with those he previously had been taught to reject.

In Matthew 10:5, Peter and the others had been told to "not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans."  It was true in relation to the circumstance of that time, but now Peter was made ready, and he would go to Cornelius the Gentile.

We’ve got to be less inclined to make laws out of past experiences and more inclined to follow the Lord.

Verse 8.  "But I said, "By no means, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered my mouth.'"

Oswald Chambers said, "Many a soul begins to come to God, when he flings off being religious, because there is only one Master of the human heart, and that is not religion but Jesus Christ."  Here and in Acts 10:14, Peter defended his right to follow religious dietary rules, but God had something much more in store for him.  He has bigger and better things for you, as well.

This was very difficult for Peter, though he would go at this time.  Paul "withstood Peter to his face" (Galatians 2:11), for "Before certain men came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those of the circumcision, and the rest of the Jews played the hypocrite with him…" (Galatians 2:12-13).  We can understand a truth but then have relapses from time-to-time.  It’s actually encouraging that Peter had the same problem.

"By no means," Peter was saying, but God would correct him, and he would go.

Verse 9.  "But a voice from heaven answered a second time, ‘What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.'"

You should be careful when you attack another’s beliefs. A careful reading of Psalm 51:14-19, shows that God is not interested at all in our religious practices, UNTIL our heart is right before Him.  In Psalm 51:17, we see another great truth, that when we repent and become right before God, He is then pleased to accept our religious acts.   Peter, as at other times, needed a change of heart. (Just like you and me).

Peter was being corrected and we await his decision.  God had declared these Gentiles to be washed "clean" in His sight.  What would Peter do?   This is answered in Acts 11:10 – He would go as God directed.

Verse 10.  "And this happened three times, and everything was drawn back up into the sky."

Just as in Acts 10:16, the object was shown three times to the stunned Peter.  I don’t know how many times certain messages have been demonstrated in my life.   We look at Peter as a stubborn man – someone a little thick headed.  But when I consider how many times God presented the lesson to me that He would provide for our needs, I conclude I am more thick in the head than Peter was.  (I needed more persuading).  Three times was enough and Peter would respond.

Verse 11.  "And behold, at that moment three men appeared at the house in which we were staying, having been sent to me from Caesarea."

(In Acts 10:17-18, this incident was told, but the fact that there were three men, is not mentioned until verse 20:  "The Spirit said to him, ‘behold three men are seeking you.") Ludwig Von Beethoven, who became deaf, said, "I will hear in heaven."  We need to hear the Spirit right now, and the blessed news is that we don’t have to wait for heaven (though heaven will be wonderful) – we can indeed "hear" God right now.  Just like Peter knew these men were sent (by God) to him, we can perceive the leading of the Spirit.

For a long time, I felt grief and pain, when I heard about the difficulties experienced by other people (I still do).  It took me a surprisingly long time to realize that the feelings I was having, was simply a reflection of the heart of God – I was being drawn to pray.  God had just spoken to Peter, and now the men were at the gate, and he would be drawn to go.  The Spirit of God does speak to us, and we must respond.   We will never have that wonderful life we all want, until we do.

Verse 12.  "And the Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings. And these six brethren also went with me, and we entered the man's house."

The Spirit told Peter to go with those men, and also to do it without having misgivings (second thoughts).  He also took six Jewish-Christian men with him, and they entered the house of the Gentile Cornelius (which was forbidden to the Jews).  John Newton (1725-1807) said "I am satisfied with the Lord’s will."  And so now was Peter, as he entered the house, though it was very difficult for him to do so.

The house of Cornelius was a place of Gentiles (non-Jews) and by entering, Peter did was something more than a cultural "taboo" – he was violating what he thought was a facet of true religion.  But he went, because he had learned to respond to the will of the Lord.  He also was smart enough to bring six Jewish-Christian witnesses, which I am sure was also the Lord’s will for him.

Verse 13.  "And he reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and have Simon, who is also called Peter, brought here'."

Peter now quoted what Cornelius told him, as seen in Acts 10:30-32.  In those verses, we saw that Cornelius reported that four days previously, the angel appeared while he was fasting and in prayer. God knew about and remembered the generosity of this man -- and also note that the angel was given the precise location where Peter was staying.  (God knows your heart and knows everything about you).

God not only intends to provide for you, as he did for Cornelius, but He also has infinite resources to care for your needs.  As to any problem you may be having, He has the solution and has made abundant provision for all of it.  Our most important need is to receive more of God (the Holy Spirit will fall upon those who love our Lord).  The angel would respond to a need Cornelius did not even know he had.

Verse 14.  "and he shall speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household."

Cornelius, as stated, was a Godly man.  A good man; who prayed, fasted, and gave to those in need.  Yet he needed more, and that is precisely where many are in our culture today.  There are many "good" people in our nation and world.  People who attend religious services, and pray, and give, and do all sorts of fine things.  But, just like Cornelius, more is needed.

We all need to be "saved".  Jesus is like a Life Boat, in which we can float safely from this sinking world.  There are different words and phrases in Scripture for this "saved" experience.  Jesus said "unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).  Being like Cornelius and doing good is wonderful.  God offers us even more, for in Christ, He changes us inside, so we may see His kingdom and dwell with Him – forever.  He will also enable us to do the will of God in the lives of men.

Verse 15.  "And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning."

The Holy Spirit of God wants to fall on you and me.  We have already seen in Acts 10:34, that "God shows no partiality – He wants to give it all – to you.  Just as He has done with the one, so He wants to give to all of us.  Cornelius was ready.  He was a good person, and as the leader of his men and household, his goodness was emulated by others.

Emulation or imitation isn’t enough and all these people needed more. Oswald Chambers said "A holy life lies not in imitating Jesus, but in letting the perfections of Jesus manifest themselves in my mortal flesh."  The same Holy Spirit of God Who fell on the apostles is available to you.  Their victory over sin can be yours, and the works Christ did through them can be yours, as well.  Just as it was for them, so can it be for you and for me.

Verse 16.  "And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'"

This is a reflection of Peter, upon the events recorded in Acts 10:47, though with a slight extra.  Peter had been reminded of spoken words by John the Baptist about Jesus, when they questioned him about why he was doing all the baptizing.  He replied, "I baptize with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit" (Mark 1:8).

To baptize with the Holy Spirit is infinitely greater than baptism in water.  To enter the water in such a manner, is a testimony that something wonderful has happened to the one who is baptized.  It is a parable of something so great that it cannot even be fully understood.  As one of the paralyzed veterans at the VA Hospital told me, it’s something like a "download" to a computer.  To the one who has nothing, something wonderful is given.

Verse 17.  "If God therefore gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?"

This verse is critical to our understanding of the intentions of God in our lives.   Our thought as Christians is often to be doctrinally correct at all cost.  And that can be good.  A much greater truth, however, is found In John 17:26, where Jesus prayed "that the love with which You loved Me may be in them…"   The problem is, we are often so busy with being correct, that we forget His command for us:  that we love one another.

God gave the same Holy Spirit to the Gentiles that He gave to the Jews, after they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.  If we reject others who have received Christ (over some doctrinal point or another; or just because they are "different" from us), we stand in the way of God (as in this verse).  There is no better way to "quench the Spirit" (1 Thessalonians 5:19) than to fail to receive others in the Name of Christ.  To the cry, "Why doesn’t revival come to our land?", I answer – Love your brother!

Verse 18.  "And when they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, ‘Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.’"

It is not because we have some earthly label, that we have peace with God and eternal life.  Our denominational preference is not relevant, from God’s perspective, and neither is our nationality, skin color, intelligence, standing in the community, credit rating, and so on.  Jesus said it all in his prayer (John 17:3), "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent."  To have eternal life in Him is to have it all.  All else is merely external and is passing away.

Just like these Jewish-Christians quieted down and glorified God, so we too should be calm and accepting of one another in Christ.  God extends His love and forgiveness to everyone who receives the Lord.  These people had no precedent for accepting outsiders.  In the Church, we HAVE such a precedent.  Recall your heritage; remember that YOU are an outsider in this world (as God’s ambassador), and extend a hand to others.

Verse 19.  "So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone."

The beginning of the current round of persecution against the Church (as alluded to in this verse), is seen in Acts 8:1.  Paul (Saul) led the stoning of Stephen, which encouraged the enemies of our Lord, and all were scattered except the Apostles.  Now we see some of them in Phoenicia (in the north of what had been Israel, on the Mediterranean coast), others on the Island of Cypress (in the Mediterranean Sea), and in Antioch, a place in present day Turkey.

They had the same difficulty which Peter had recently experienced.  They were emotionally unable to talk to anyone but Jews about Jesus Christ.  We have to see that God does not limit His love to "our" group.  He loves people and created every one of us.  You are special, unique, loved, and WORTHY of His love.   So are the people you meet, and those you have not yet met or accepted.   Quietly, gently, become willing to share our Lord with those around.

Verse 20.  "But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus."

Cyprus we know about (see the commentary on verse 19).  Cyrene was a Greek colonial city in North Africa.  It was the home of the Simon who carried Jesus’ Cross (Matthew 27:32).  Some of the people at Pentecost were from that area (Acts 2:10).  A "Synagogue of the Freedmen" was located there (Acts 6:9) and some of its’ members had disputed with Stephen before his death.

Men from these places (who had come to Christ) had traveled to Antioch and were now speaking to Gentiles ("Greeks", also known as "Hellenists") about our Lord.  We should learn from them, because they were at the forefront of reaching others, as led by the Spirit of God.  It is important that we respond to Him, and not merely be bound by rules of behavior (or just followers of some program).

Verse 21. "And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord."

The "hand of the Lord was with them" because they were with the hand of the Lord.  "Preaching the Lord Jesus" (as in verse 20) is excellent and we should be more inclined to do so.  But there’s even more to life than just preaching.  We need to be responsive to the Lord, which will result in the last half of this verse:  "a large number who believed turned to the Lord."

Great revivals, such as the one in Wales, during the 19^th Century, have been a mystery to many people.  Thousands came to the Lord during that time, and a contemporary said, "There is no accounting for the way the Spirit worked."   But there is an accounting.  Holy men of God prayed and spoke as they were led by the Son of God, and God answered with thousands who came to Him.

Verse 22.  "And the news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch."

The Church at Jerusalem had just heard about Peter’s experience at the house of Cornelius and now they heard more.  The Gentiles were flocking to the Lord at Antioch (which is located in present day Turkey).  Barnabas, who was later to become a co-minister with Paul, was a wonderful man who already was a "voice" in the early Church.  This man of God was sent to Antioch, in relation to the Gentiles who were turning to the Lord in large numbers.

Verse 23.  "Then when he had come and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;"

The name "Barnabas" translates as "son of exhortation."  We saw in our study of 1^st Corinthians that the gift of exhortation is used to encourage others.  Barnabas was well named, because he immediately began to encourage the new believers that they should remain true to the Lord.

On his arrival at Antioch, Barnabas witnessed the grace of God in the lives of the Gentile people.  Barnabas was quick to accept the reality of God’s blessing in their lives and he did not quibble about racial issues, as some of his contemporaries had done (Acts 11:1-2).  And this should be true of us.  When we encounter those who are in Christ, we should not quarrel with them about externals, but instead encourage them to follow our Lord.

Verse 24.  "for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.   And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord."

At the end of Chapter 15, we will see that Paul and Barnabas had an argument and parted company over it.  I think it’s great to note that both Barnabas and Paul were good men, "full of the Holy Spirit and faith".  You probably will not get along with everyone who wears the label "Christian" and that can be all right.   When Barnabas and Paul went in separate directions (after Chapter 15) they would subsequently cover twice the distance and reach many more people than was possible if they were together.

Barnabas had great faith in God, which means he looked to Him instead of to his own resources.  He had chosen to let the guidance of his life be the Spirit of God.   In relation to these characteristics, he was God’s man for the moment and many were brought to the Lord.

Verse 25.  "And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul;"

This is a short verse but it contains much.  Barnabas, who was a "good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith" (verse 24), left a fine work in Antioch to look for Saul.  Many were coming to the Lord, but off he went after this man (who was later to be "Paul the Apostle"), at Tarsus, which was more than 200 miles to the east.  And he probably walked the distance, though he might have hitched a ride, now and again.

The only reason such a man would leave at that critical moment, is that the Holy Spirit told him to go.  Specifically, he was to seek this "Saul", who previously had been a persecutor of the Church.  The work in Antioch would continue (Verse 26) but Saul (Paul) was needed and he would be brought to that place by Barnabas.

Verse 26.  "and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.  And it came about that for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch."

We last saw Paul (Saul) in Chapter 9, where he was blinded, turned to the Lord, healed, and he then spoke boldly in the Name of Jesus, which was a complete reversal of his life.   There was a plot to kill him and he was then sent to Tarsus for his safety.   Paul had been doing the work of an evangelist since that time.

Now he had returned to Antioch, where his emphasis was changed, again.  Previously evangelism (preaching Christ to the unconverted) had been the thrust of his ministry.   Now, under the tutelage of Barnabas (and the Holy Spirit), he became a teacher, where for a year they taught considerable numbers in the local Church at Antioch.   And this was the place where the name "Christian" was widely used for the first time.

Verse 27.  "Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch."

These prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch.  This was a distance of over 600 miles by land.  Such a great trip (on foot) likely meant they were drawn by the Lord.  These were Jewish-Christians and they still would have had emotional distress (much like Jonah experienced) about reaching out to Gentiles.  Note it says "some" went, and it may well have been that some refused to go.

The question might well be asked, where are God’s prophets today?  The answer is, they are around, just like in those days.  The fact we don’t know who they are, says something about our culture.  We do not see them because as a people, we do not see.

Verse 28.  "And one of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world.  And this took place in the reign of Claudius."

This would likely be the same Agabus who warned Paul about the trouble he would find in Jerusalem (Acts 21:10-11).  Notice how the Holy Spirit of God gives advance notice of trouble.  There would be a famine over all the world ("the world" likely meant the Roman Empire to these people), and it would occur within the reign of Caesar Claudius.  God’s people would be warned of what was to come.

I’ve had the interesting experience (as mentioned elsewhere) that God still does warn His people.  You can see that in the life of Corrie Ten Boom, as recorded in the book "The Hiding Place."  God gave her a recurring advance dream that her family would be destroyed.  The purpose was that she would not be destroyed emotionally, when in fact it did occur.

Verse 29.  "And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea."

The famine did happen, as also recorded in secular history, and it was especially bad in the area of Jerusalem (Judea).  Note that the initial pledge (a promise of money) was based on the prophesy, before the events occurred.  Prices tend to sharply go up when supplies are scarce, and people would die for lack of food.  It would be an expensive time and God does prepare (and protect) His people.

We are the "prophets" of this time in history.  In Joel 2:28-29, the prophesy about the Church-to-be was that visions, special dreams, and prophesies would be the "norm" for God’s people.  The Holy Spirit is continually "speaking" to us.  He is inside us and many of "our" thoughts, "our" dreams, and "our" ideas, are really His.  When someone or some situation comes to mind, He may well be prompting you to act on their behalf.

Verse 30.  "And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders."

I don’t get the impression that Saul (Paul) was ever completely accepted by early believers.  Even in today’s world, you can run into people who reject him.   But he was God’s man, and we now see him (because of Barnabas, I think) in a position of trust within the Church.  He and Barnabas were given a large sum of money that was for the needy in the Church at Jerusalem.

It’s interesting that those in Jerusalem were going to become hungry because of the famine to be, and the Lord used Paul to bring money to them.  It’s hard to remain angry at someone who brings money (or similar gifts).  Jesus said "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you" (Luke 6:27).   Paul was now doing good to those who had been very slow to accept him.  God is operating on many levels in our lives - what WE have to do is trust in the Son and follow His Spirit.

Ron Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
www.fridaystudy.org
Ron@fridaystudy.org