Study notes
Jews traditionally kept themselves separate and did not eat or interact in a social setting with Gentiles (10:28; 22:21–22; see John 4:9, 27; 18:28; Galatians 2:12–14). The Jewish Christians in Jerusalem learned that Gentiles had received the word of God. Then they criticized Peter's unusual actions and asked for an explanation, which Peter provided.
Jewish believers in Jerusalem thought that Peter had gone against God’s instructions. They thought this because of the time Peter spent with Cornelius.
Peter explained that he hadn’t opposed God but had obeyed him. Peter told the story of his vision and of the angel who spoke to Cornelius. He made it clear that what happened in Cornelius’ house was God’s work.
God had used Peter to share the gift of the Holy Spirit with Gentiles. The Spirit came to them just as he had to the Jewish believers at Pentecost. The Jewish believers listening to Peter were amazed. They praised God for what had happened.
They were starting to understand that Jesus can save everyone from sin and death. Jesus’ gift of life is for all nations and peoples. That is how Jesus is the light for the Gentiles. Prophets from long ago had talked about this. But it was difficult for the Jews to understand and accept.
Peter reviewed what had happened. He explained that God had directed the whole series of events (11:12). Peter ate with Gentiles (non-Jews) because God made it evident that he should (11:4–12). Peter then saw the Holy Spirit come upon the Gentiles, realizing God accepted and blessed them like Jews who trusted in Jesus (11:15–17; see 1:5). Peter followed God's will by admitting Gentiles to the church.
Peter gave a clear and careful explanation. Those who had objected were convinced. They saw that God was at work in the Gentiles' believing in Jesus and in their receiving eternal life.
However, the question of including Gentiles was not finished. Soon it would lead to a serious crisis in the church (15:1–35; see also Paul's letter to the Galatians).
After Stephen's death, persecution forced Christians to move to other areas (8:1–3). They traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch.
Antioch in Syria was a busy, diverse city. It was the third-largest city in the Roman Empire, after Rome and Alexandria. Antioch played a key role in spreading the Christian message to non-Jewish people.
After Stephen’s death, believers in Jerusalem were treated very badly. Many had to leave. They spread the message about Jesus among Jews further north than Samaria and Galilee.
The good news about Jesus reached new cities and people. It reached Greeks (Greece) in Antioch in Syria. Many Gentiles there believed the message and the church grew strong.
Barnabas and Saul spent a year teaching and guiding these Jewish and Gentile believers. Jesus had said that Saul would tell the Gentiles about him. Antioch was where he started doing that. It was also where people first started using the name Christians. This name included both Jewish and Gentile believers.
The Christians in Antioch heard that Jewish believers in Jerusalem didn’t have enough food. They sent them a gift to help. They were all part of God’s family. They treated one another like brothers and sisters.
Jewish Christians from Cyprus and Cyrene made the first organized effort to teach Gentiles about Jesus.
As with the household of Cornelius, many Gentiles believed in Jesus. The growth of Christian faith among Gentiles had to remain in harmony with the church at Jerusalem. So, the Jerusalem Christians sent Barnabas to Antioch to oversee the developments there. Barnabas could see that God’s blessing was on what was happening, so he supported it with joy.
Barnabas saw that Saul had a special gift for preaching and teaching. The wise judgment of Barnabus led to a successful ministry in Antioch.
The term Christians might have first been an insult. The Greek text uses this term in only two other New Testament passages (26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).
some prophets: See “The Gift of Prophecy” Theme Note.
Agabus: See also 21:10–12.
Claudius was the nephew of Tiberius Caesar (Luke 3:1). He ruled as Roman emperor from AD 41 to AD 54.
His last wife was his niece Agrippina. Claudius adopted her son, Nero.
Agabus's prophecy resulted in the Christians in Antioch helping the Jewish Christians in Judea. They gave as much as they could and trusted the funds to Barnabas and Saul. This act of love and support showed the difference Jesus had made in their lives. Saul (also called Paul) mentions this visit in his letter to the Galatians (Galatians 2:1–10).
This is the first mention in the book of Acts of elders as officers in the Christian church (see also 14:23; 15:2–23; 16:4; 20:17–35; 21:18; compare 1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9).
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources