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1. 1
Lesson 19
Acts, Chapter 11

2. 2
Time Frame (Acts 11)
 Chapter begins immediately after
Cornelius conversion, as Peter
goes to Jerusalem and defends his
preaching to the Gentiles (1-18)
 Sometime between Cornelius’
conversion and the death of
Herod in A.D. 44 (chap. 12), the
events in Antioch took place (40-
43 A.D.)

3. 3
Peter in Jerusalem (1-18) 1
 Apostles and Brethren in Judea
heard about the Conversion of
Cornelius (1-3)
 “Those of the circumcision” would refer to the
Judaizers rather than Jews in general
 They contended with Peter about his
preaching to the Gentiles
 Peter’s Answer (4-14)
 Includes a recounting of his vision (4-10)
 Includes a recounting of Cornelius’ vision (11-

4. 4
Peter in Jerusalem (1-18) 2
 The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (15-
16)
 Note: The event happened “as I began to
speak”. Coupled with verse 14, indicates that
Holy Spirit baptism NOT for salvation
 Event on this occasion the same as on
Pentecost “at the beginning”
 Significance in the phrase “at the beginning”
• Beginning of Gospel
• Beginning of Kingdom/Church

5. 5
Peter in Jerusalem (1-18) 3
 The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (15-
16)
 Peter in verse 16 identifies this as the
“baptism” (immersion) in the Holy Spirit
 Identical gift as that given to the Apostles on
Pentecost
 Significance: This gift is given to indicate
that it is not whether one is circumcised or
not that determines his standing before God,
rather faith in Christ

6. 6
Peter in Jerusalem (1-18) 4
 The Gentiles Inclusion was God’s
Will (17)
 Peter could not withstand God’s will
 Man must submit to the will of God
 The Jews were Convinced (18)
 Praise to God, the giver of life
 Granting Repentance indicates that God had
granted unto the Gentiles the right to gain life
by responding to the gospel by repentance.

7. 7
Barnabas and Saul at Antioch
(19-26) 1
 Church established in Antioch (19-
22)
 A new and important portion of the history of
the church begins with these words
 Up to this point, Luke’s history deals
primarily with efforts to preach to the Jews
 From this point on the emphasis is upon
efforts to convert the Gentiles
 Persecution mentioned here is that following
Stephen’s death, as recorded in (8:1-ff)

8. 8
Barnabas and Saul at Antioch
(19-26) 2
 Church established in Antioch (19-
22)
 Phoenicia – Country, 120 miles long and 15
miles wide, located north of Palestine
between the shores of the Mediterranean sea
and the slopes of the Lebanon mountains.
 Cyprus – An island off the southern coast of
Asia Minor, in the Mediterranean Sea
 Antioch – Located in Syria, on the banks of
the river Orontes, near the junction of the
Lebanon and Taurus mountain ranges

9. 9
Barnabas and Saul at Antioch
(19-26) 3
 Church established in Antioch (19-
22)
 Initially the preaching was done only to the
Jews
 Men from Cyprus and Cyrene began
preaching to the Gentiles (Hellenists) also.
 Context would indicate the word “Hellenists”
here is referring, in contrast, to the Gentiles
rather than to the Hellenist Jews.

10. 10
Barnabas and Saul at Antioch
(19-26) 4
 Church established in Antioch (19-22)
 God blessed their efforts at preaching, and
many were saved. (“believed” and “turned to
the Lord”).
 Barnabas sent to Antioch (22-24)
 Barnabas was well qualified, (cf. Acts 4:36-37),
to encourage the brethren in Antioch
 Note description of Barnabas (vs. 23-24) A
good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.

11. 11
Barnabas and Saul at Antioch
(19-26) 5
 Barnabas brings Saul to Antioch (25-
26)
 Saul in Tarsus, comes to Antioch
 Saul and Barnabas spend a year in Antioch
 Assembled and taught (importance of
teaching).
 The name Christian (26)
 One of three times the word is used (cf. Acts
26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).
 The only “proper” name used for God’s

12. 12
Famine in Judea (27-30) 1
 Prophets visit Antioch (27-28)
 While Saul and Barnabas were laboring with
the church there
 Agabus, speaking from inspiration, prophesied
an impending famine.
 Famine took place during the reign of Claudius
Caesar (AD. 41-54). Several famines during
his reign
 One in Judea happened in 45 AD, which would
fit nicely in this context

13. 13
Famine in Judea (27-30) 2
 Benevolence purposed by Christians
in Antioch (29-30)
 Individuals determined (free will offering)
 Congregation sent the gift directly
 Money sent to the elders in Judea
 Money sent for the benefit of the Christians
during this emergency
 This constitutes a pattern with regard to the
scope and method of benevolence in the New
Testament