ACTS SERIES: JUSTIFYING THE SALVATION OF THE GENTILES – CHAPTER 11

The story of Cornelius and his household receiving salvation found in Acts 10 occurred ten years after Pentecost. Peter who was the spokesperson for the believers on the day of Pentecost was also the minister who ministered to those gathered in Cornelius house in Acts 10. Peter was the chosen one for Pentecost and ten years later He was the chosen to be the first to speak to the Gentiles.

Acts 11 opens with the news of the conversion of the Gentiles being received with mixed emotions. When Peter returned to Jerusalem he was confronted by the circumcised Jews and questioned about his interaction with Cornelius. In the minds of these Jews, Gentiles were considered unclean and strangers. They were not part of God’s covenant and were to be avoided; going into their home and eating with them was a definite no, no.

Peter shared the events that led to the meeting: his trance, his response, and his journey with the six brethren to the home of Cornelius. Additionally, he shared Cornelius’s angelic encounter and Cornelius’s instruction to ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.”

Peter shared that as he ministered the gospel message to those gathered the Holy Ghost fell on them. This led Peter to remember the words of Jesus concerning the Holy Spirit infilling and the acknowledgment that if God gave the same Holy Spirit to those who believed in Jesus how could he dispute God’s doings? Finally, with the completion of Peter’s explanation those assembled held their peace, and glorified God, saying, “Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”

The believers that left Jerusalem due to the persecution preached to Jews in Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch. Moreover, believers from Cyprus and Cyrene ministered to Greeks in Antioch and God was pleased causing numerous Gentiles to become believers.

Hearing what had happened in Antioch the leaders of the church in Jerusalem sent Barnabus to Antioch to teach, encourage, and exhort the new converts. Barnabus a good man of strong faith and full of the Holy Spirit, was elated to see the move of God. as more and more converts were added to the church.

Leaving Antioch Barnabas went looking for Paul in Tarsus and when he found him, they returned to Antioch, and for a year they taught the new converts who were first called “Christians” in Antioch.

Meanwhile, Agabus a prophet who came to Antioch shared in a meeting that a great famine was coming upon the land of Israel which happened during the reign of Claudius. Giving what they were able the believers sent supplies to the church in Jerusalem by Barnabas and Paul.

I close with these nuggets:

Many find it difficult to move beyond religious traditions.

Cultural habits are hard to ignore and break.

To help people understand there are times you must share how you arrived at your destination.

From the beginning, the gift of the Holy Spirit was meant for all.

Sharing the gospel is the task of all believers

Make sure your actions are not opposing God’s agenda.

Leaders are to be concerned about the spiritual development of new converts.

Enlist the help of fellow believers as needed

Through His prophet, God will alert the church to future issues.

According to your ability give to help others.