ACTS Go Tell the Good News Lesson 11

ACTS Go Tell the Good News! Lesson 11 Acts 11: 1 -30

REVIE W 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: 3643) • Introduction of Cornelius; Peter’s vision and subsequent preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles (10: 1 -48)

REVIE W The vision of Peter (Acts 10: 9 -16) • Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the 6 th 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

REVIE W 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 3 x

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

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?

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)

Peter preaches gospel to Gentiles (Acts 10: 17 -48) • Peter continues to preach Jesus: His actions and ministry, His death, and His resurrection (vs. 3641) • 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)

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)

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!

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 üHis vision üIntroduction to Cornelius üHoly Spirit falling on them • “Then I remembered the word of the Lord…”

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. ”

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

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

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)

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)

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”

“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

“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

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)