Acts Chapter 11
Peter Reports to Jerusalem
1 The apostles and believers in Judaea heard that Gentiles had accepted God’s message. 2 When Peter went up to Jerusalem, members of the Circumcision took issue with him, 3 3 “You went in and ate with uncircumcised men.”
4 Peter explained step by step,
5 “I was in Joppa praying when I saw a vision in a trance, something like a big sheet came down from the sky by four corners. It came to me, 6 and I stared into it and saw four-footed animals, wild animals, reptiles, and birds. 7 I heard a voice, ‘Kill and eat them, Peter.’
8 “I said, ‘No, Sir; I’ve never eaten anything unclean.’
9 “The voice spoke a second time out of the sky, ‘Don’t you consider unclean what God has cleansed.’ 10 That happened three times, and everything went back up into the sky.
11 “Right then, three men from Caesarea stood at the house where we were staying. 12 The Spirit told me to go with them without scruples. These six brothers went along and entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he’d seen an angel standing in his house, saying, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon called Peter. 14 He’ll tell you what will save you and your household.’
15 “While I was speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on them like on us in the beginning. 16 I remembered what the Lord had said, ‘John immersed in water, but you’ll be “immersed” in the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If God gave them the same gift he gave us when we trusted in the Lord Jesus the Messiah (‘Christ’), who was I to oppose God?”
18 When they heard that, they backed off and praised God, “Then God has also offered Gentiles repentance to life.”
Acts 11:1-18
The Good News in Antioch
19 The ones scattered by the ordeal surrounding Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message just to Jews. 20 But some Cypriots and Cyrenians went to Antioch and started presenting the Lord Jesus to Greeks as well. 21 The Lord was with them, and a large number turned to the Lord. 22 The church in Jerusalem heard about them and sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he got there and saw the evidence of God’s grace, he was glad and encouraged them with heartfelt purpose to remain with the Lord. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith; and a significant number joined the Lord. 25 He went to Tarsus to look for Paul. 26 When he found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a year they gathered in the church and taught a sizable crowd. They called the disciples Christians first in Antioch.
27 At that time, prophets from Jerusalem came down to Antioch. 28 One, named Agabus, signified by the Spirit that a severe famine would come over the whole Roman empire, which took place in the reign of Claudius. 29 The believers, as they could, made up their mind to send relief to the Christians in Jerusalem. 30 They sent it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 11:19-30