Dr. Pothana's Teaching

1. Detailed Study on The Book Of Acts
COACH Institute of Intercultural Studies
Hyderabad

2. Book of Acts
Chapter 11

3. A C T S
Go Tell
the Good
News!
Lesson 11  Acts 11:1-30

4. Peter preaches in Lydda, Joppa,
and Caesarea
(Acts 9:32-10:48)
• Peter heals Aeneas that results in many turning to
the Lord (9:32-35)
• Peter raises Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead (9:36-
43)
• Introduction of Cornelius; Peter’s vision and
subsequent preaching of the gospel to the
Gentiles (10:1-48)

5. The vision of Peter (Acts 10:9-16)
• Peter went up on the
housetop to pray about
the 6th hour (~noon)
• In a trance, he sees
heaven opened & a
great sheet bound at
the 4 corners filled
with four-footed
animals, wild beasts,
creeping things, birds

6. The vision of Peter (Acts 10:9-16)
• Peter is instructed to
kill and eat
• Peter replies, “Not so,
Lord! For I have never
eaten anything
common or unclean”
• “What God has
cleansed you must not
call common”
• Repeated 3x

7. Peter preaches gospel to Gentiles
(Acts 10:17-48)
• As Peter is wondering about the meaning of the
vision, those sent by Cornelius arrive at Simon’s
house
• The Spirit tells Peter to go down and go with
them, “doubting nothing; for I have sent them”
• Peter asks why they have come and invites them
in & lodged them
• On the next day, Peter and others from Joppa go
to Caesarea

8. Peter preaches gospel to Gentiles
(Acts 10:17-48)
• Cornelius had called together his close friends
and relatives in anticipation of Peter’s visit
• As Peter enters, Cornelius met him and fell down
at his feet and worships him
• Peter lifts him up and tells him that he is a man
also
• Peter explains why he was there although it was
unlawful for a Jewish man to keep company or go
to one of another nation
• But because of the vision from God, he came
without objection; but why was he there?

9. Peter preaches gospel to Gentiles
(Acts 10:17-48)
• Cornelius explains his vision and states that Peter
has done well to come.
“Now therefore, we are all present before
God, to hear all the things commanded you by
God.” (vs. 33)
• Peter begins to understand the purpose of the
visions:
“In truth I perceive that God shows no
partiality. But in every nation whoever fears
Him and works righteousness is accepted by
Him.” (vs. 34-35)

10. Peter preaches gospel to Gentiles
(Acts 10:17-48)
• Peter continues to preach Jesus: His actions and
ministry, His death, and His resurrection (vs. 36-
41)
• They were witnesses, chosen of God, of all of
these things and commanded to preach to the
people and to testify… “it is He who was ordained
by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To
Him all the prophets witness that, through His name,
whoever believes in Him will receive remission of
sins.“ (vs. 42-43)

11. Peter preaches gospel to Gentiles
(Acts 10:17-48)
• While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell
upon those who heard the word (vs. 44)
• Those of the circumcision who believed were
astonished…the gift of the Holy Spirit had been
poured out on the Gentiles also!
• They heard them speak with tongues and
magnify God!
• Peter states, "Can anyone forbid water, that
these should not be baptized who have received
the Holy Spirit just as we have?" (vs. 47)

12. Peter preaches gospel to Gentiles
(Acts 10:17-48)
• “And he commanded them to be baptized in the
name of the Lord.” (vs. 48)
The good news
has come to the
Gentiles!

13. A C T S
Go Tell
the Good
News!
Lesson 11  Acts 11:1-30

14. Peter’s defense of God’s grace
(Acts 11:1-18)
• News of the Gentiles conversion spread to
Jerusalem
• Peter is confronted by the apostles and brethren,
“You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with
them” (vs. 2-3)
• Peter explains what happened in order from the
beginning
His vision
Introduction to Cornelius
Holy Spirit falling on them
• “Then I remembered the word of the Lord…”

15. Peter’s defense of God’s grace
(Acts 11:1-18)
• “If therefore God gave them the same gift as he
gave us…who was I that I could withstand God?”
• They became silent, then answered, “Then God
has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to
life.”

16. Barnabas & Saul at Antioch
(Acts 11:19-26)

17. Acts 11:19
“Now those who
were scattered that
arose after the
persecution that
arose over Stephen
traveled as far as
Phoenicia, Cyprus,
and Antioch…
“Those who had been
scattered preached
the word wherever
they went.”
Acts 8:4

18. Barnabas & Saul at Antioch
(Acts 11:19-26)
• Some of the men from Cyprus and Cyrene came
to Antioch and preached Jesus to the Hellenists.
• The hand of the Lord was with them & a great
number believed and turned to the Lord.
• The church at Jerusalem sent out Barnabas to go
as far as Antioch
• When he saw the grace of God, he was glad and
encouraged them to continue with the Lord.
• A great many people were added to the Lord. (vs.
24)

19. Barnabas & Saul at Antioch
(Acts 11:19-26)
• Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul, found
him, and brought him back to Antioch
• They stayed in Antioch for 1 year and assembled
with the church and taught many people.
• “And the disciples were first called Christians in
Antioch” (vs. 26)

20. Relief to Judea
(Acts 11:27-30)
• Prophets came to Antioch from Jerusalem
• Agabus prophesied that there would be a famine
throughout all the world.
• Happened in the days of Claudius Caesar (~A.D.
41-54)
• “Then the disciples, each according to his ability,
determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling
in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders
by the hands of Barnabas and Saul”

21. “The Holy Spirit fell upon them…”
(Acts 10:44; 11:15)
• Two specific instances when the Holy Spirit came
upon men directly from heaven:
• Acts 2:1-4
• Acts 10:44-46
• Holy Spirit baptism is never connected with
saving the person who received it
• Those who received the Holy Spirit were doing
nothing to try to get the HS at the time

22. “The Holy Spirit fell upon them…”
(Acts 10:44; 11:15)
• Two specific instances when the Holy Spirit came
upon men directly from heaven:
• Acts 2:1-4
• Acts 10:44-46
• A special reason was given why the Holy Spirit fell
on these two occasions:
• Apostles (Acts 1:8; 26:16): to enable them to be
qualified witnesses
• Cornelius (Acts 11:18): to convince the Jews that God
had granted repentance to the Gentiles

23. Lessons from Acts 11
• If God shows no partiality in who can receive His
grace, then we should show no partiality in our
thoughts and actions toward others
• We can’t allow prejudices to dictate who we share the
good news with
• We need to have purpose of heart (Acts 11:23)
• Romans 8:28 “…all things work together for good to
those who love God…called according to His purpose.”
• Ephesians 1:11 “…being predestined according to the
purpose of Him who works all things…”’
• 2 Timothy 3:10 (Paul had a purpose)