Acts Chapter 11.

Acts Chapter 11.

Peter defends his action.                        11:1-18. 

*   Peter is accused for eating with uncircumcised men.  11:1-3.

*   Peter's defense.  11:4-17. (This provides the conclusive point in his defense).

*   Peter's defense is accepted.  11:18.

Antioch.                                                    11:19-30.

*   The first Gentile Church.                    11:19-26.

*   The relief for the famine in Judea.    11:27-30.

Peter, on his return, was taken to task by the 'legal-minded' for keeping company with uncircumcised men and eating with them.  He acted as if there were no distinction between Jews and Gentiles.

           

The end part of the chapter tells of startling developments at the great city of Antioch.  (Syrian) B-D. 40.   The Church at Jerusalem showed wisdom and goodwill when they sent such men as Barnabas to investigate the new developments.

           

Evangelism.

           

*   The significance of Peter's preaching to Cornelius.  This was a new and important step and it was important that it receive the approval of the apostles and brethren at Jerusalem.  Here "the circumcision" seem to designate a section of the Church, rather than Jews generally.  This section of the Church strongly adhered to the Law and were opposed to social intercourse with Gentiles.  They were willing to accept Christianity as a movement for revival and reform within Judaism.  They may not have opposed the preaching of the Gospel to Gentiles, provided it brought them within the folds of Judaism.  But they were opposed to social intercourse with uncircumcised brethren, for that ignored the distinction between Jews and Gentiles.  Peter defended his action and their doubts gave way to the admission that God had given repentance to life to the Gentiles also.

           

*   The expansion at Antioch.   At Antioch further developments took place.  Certain Jewish Christians from Cyprus and Cyrene began to preach the Gospel to Greeks, (11:20).  This included all pagans influenced by Greek language and culture.  The glad tidings that Jesus is Lord was declared to pagans.  The door of the Church was thrown open to people who were not connected with the synagogue.  Until now Christianity had been a movement within Judaism and the new converts were affiliated with Judaism.  But now at Antioch the final step is taken, for the Gospel was preached to men who were not associated with the synagogue.  The entrance of such people into the Church would hasten the rise of an ecclesia or assembly, quite independent of Judaism.  This new expansion of the Church was more than a geographical one, for it was a theological extension, being a fuller manifestation of God's saving purpose.

           

Church Ministry.

           

*   Practical Unity.   The disciples at Antioch send a relief fund for the Church at Jerusalem.  There were other funds for relief, Acts 12:25;  24:17.  Such funds promoted the unity of the Church and the sentiment of brother-love.

           

*   The new name for the disciples.   Antioch was celebrated for the invention of "nicknames."  It was pagans who gave the name Christians to disciples.  This was not Thomas Newberry's view.   The name Christians occurs three times in the New Testament.  Acts 11:26;  26:28;  1.Pet.4:16.  On each occasion it was used by outsiders. 

But the Church found no reason to be ashamed of this name, which means, "one belonging to Christ."  Christians are the people of Christ.  The name would grow in significance to Christians, as the true character of their movement became manifest and its independence of Judaism.  It was therefore significant that the name should first be used at Antioch.  The N.E.B. uses the name frequently to designate Christians.

*   Barnabas, the model envoy and pastor.    It was fortunate that such a man was chosen by the anxious Church at Jerusalem to be their envoy.  The choosing of the right man for the task is always important.  Barnabas was the right man for the job.  The Church at Jerusalem had every confidence in him.  The new work at Antioch must receive the approval of that Church.  That they chose Barnabas suggests they were not bound by a narrow conservatism.  Barnabas came to Antioch to observe the work of evangelism and showed himself a true pastor in consolidating the work.  A pastor is a shepherd, B-D. 1175.

           

1/.  Barnabas had proved himself a generous and unselfish Christian.  He was more ready to praise than to criticize.

2/.  Barnabas was always ready to encourage and appreciate the work of Divine grace.  Ready to appreciate rather than criticize.

3/.  Barnabas was a man of marked spiritual dimensions. 11:24. He was full of the Holy Spirit and faith.  It was a believing enthusiasm that enabled him to rejoice in the grace of God to Gentiles.

4/.  Barnabas possessed the rare gift of discerning merit in others, and when the work required a man of special ability and outlook, he knew where to find him. Barnabas recognized that Paul was the right man and went off to Tarsus to find him.  Barnabas gladly shared the work with another.