Acts Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Acts 11:1
And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

• Apostles, brethren, Judaea...Jewish Christians
• They would not be Gentiles, as it says they "heard that the Gentiles"
• Just receiving something that was thought not initially intended by God for them might have been enough to amaze them

Acts 11:2
And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

• "They that were of the circumcision" is Jewish proselytes who would not consider Gentiles worthy of being saved
• Jerusalem would be their home base, from which the Gospel emanated outward (Acts 1:8)
• This is such a thorn in their side that they must "contend" with him (argue)

Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 11:3
Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

• Hanging out with Gentiles is a huge no-no as of this time
• Circumcision was a sign to Jews, differentiating them from Gentiles, a mark of national identity, especially in captivity in times of war
• We as Gentiles ARE circumcised.........just in a different way

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JEWISH CIRCUMCISION: THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Circumcision was part of the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 17:10)
• It was timed perfectly, medically, at eight days-no more, no less (Genesis 17:12)
• Everyone born into a Jewish home was to be circumcised (Genesis 17:13)
• Any violation meant removal from society (Genesis 17:14)
• A baby is immune to the pain; Abraham had to do this to EVERY MALE of ALL ages in his house (Genesis 17:23, 27)
• Abraham was 29 at the time he was circumcised (Genesis 17:24)
• The same day, Ishmael was 13 (Genesis 17:25)
• Isaac was on his eighth day (Genesis 21:4)
• Circumcision was used by Dinah's brethren Simeon and Levi to get the Hivite men (of Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan) to be sore and ripe for the revenge by for the rape of Dinah (Genesis 34:14, 15, 17, 22, 24)
• Moses, then being being a Jewish Midianite, considered himself of "uncircumcised lips" when God called him (Exodus 6:12, 30)
• Strangers were not to eat of the Passover unless circumcised (Exodus 12:44, 48)
• The Law was eight days for a male child (Leviticus 12:3)
• The fruit in any land conquered by Israel was to be considered uncircumcised for three years after they came into the land (Leviticus 19:23)
• God calls the Israelite hearts in captivity for their sins, "uncircumcised" (Leviticus 26:41)
• Joshua circumcised all of the Israelites who were born in Egypt and were never circumcised (Joshua 5:3-7)
• Samson was warned about taking a wife of the "uncircumcised Philistines" (Judges 14:3)
• He later regretted it and did not want to fall into their hands, by dying of thirst after killing a thousand of them with the jawbone of an ass (Judges 15:18)
• Jonathan called the Philistines "these uncircumcised" (1 Samuel 14:6)
• David followed this with Goliath, calling him an "uncircumcised Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:26, 36)
• King Saul himself wanted his armor bearer to thrust him through with his sword in order not to fall into the hands of "the uncircumcised" (1 Samuel 31:4, 1 Chronicles 10:4)
• When Saul and Jonathan fell, David did not want it published, lest the "uncircumcised" find out about it. (2 Samuel 1:20)
• God promises Israel that no more will the uncircumcised come unto them (Isaiah 52:1)
• God said that Israel's EARS were uncircumcised (Jeremiah 6:10, acts 7:51)
• God will one day punish both the circumcised and the uncircumcised together (Jeremiah 9:25)
• In Jeremiah 9:26, God calls the Muslim countries around Israel, (Egypt, Jordan, Arabia) as well as Judah, uncircumcised (Jeremiah 9:26)
• Israel was told they would die just like the uncircumcised, at the hand of the uncircumcised, for acting like they were God (Ezekiel 28:10)
• Egypt also would be taken down by the uncircumcised in Russia, Assyria, Arabia, Asia Minor, etc. (Ezekiel 31:18, 32:19, 21, 24-31)
• Israel was rebuked for bringing in the uncircumcised in heart and flesh into God's house (Ezekiel 44:7, 9)
• The apostle Paul circumcised Timothy for the sake of the Jews, not because of salvation (Acts 16:3)
• Paul said to be in your condition, circumcised or uncircumcised, when you get saved, because it is not necessary for salvation (1 Corinthians 7:18)
• He encountered the same legalistic Jewish thing, but did NOT circumcise Titus (Galatians 2:3)
• Paul said circumcision, in regards to salvation and the Law, was meaningless (Galatians 5:2-3)
• Paul also called it "a show in the flesh" for their own glory, those who would have another be circumcised as a believer (Galatians 6:12-13)
• He counted his own circumcision as dung (Philippians 3:5)
• Paul said that the LORD Jesus Christ circumcises us in our hearts (Colossians 2:11)

Genesis 17:10
This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

Genesis 17:12
And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.

Genesis 17:13
He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

Genesis 17:14
And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

Genesis 17:23
And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.

Genesis 17:24
And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Genesis 17:25
And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Genesis 17:26
In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.

Genesis 17:27
And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him.

Genesis 21:4
And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.

Genesis 34:14
And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:

Genesis 34:15
But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised;

Genesis 34:17
But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.

Genesis 34:22
Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they are circumcised.

Genesis 34:24
And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

Exodus 6:12
And Moses spake before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?

Exodus 6:30
And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?

Exodus 12:44
But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.

Exodus 12:48
And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

Leviticus 12:3
And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

Leviticus 19:23
And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you: it shall not be eaten of.

Leviticus 26:41
And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:

Joshua 5:3
And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.

Joshua 5:5
Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised.

Joshua 5:7
And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way.

Judges 14:3
Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.

Judges 15:18
And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?

1 Samuel 14:6
And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.

1 Samuel 17:26
And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

1 Samuel 17:36
Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

1 Samuel 31:4
Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.

2 Samuel 1:20
Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

1 Chronicles 10:4
Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.

Isaiah 52:1
Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

Jeremiah 6:10
To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.

Jeremiah 9:25
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised;

Jeremiah 9:26
Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.

Ezekiel 28:10
Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 31:18
To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth: thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 32:19
Whom dost thou pass in beauty? go down, and be thou laid with the uncircumcised.

Ezekiel 32:21
The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.

Ezekiel 32:24
There is Elam and all her multitude round about her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, which are gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth, which caused their terror in the land of the living; yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit.

Ezekiel 32:25
They have set her a bed in the midst of the slain with all her multitude: her graves are round about him: all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword: though their terror was caused in the land of the living, yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit: he is put in the midst of them that be slain.

Ezekiel 32:26
There is Meshech, Tubal, and all her multitude: her graves are round about him: all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword, though they caused their terror in the land of the living.

Ezekiel 32:27
And they shall not lie with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to hell with their weapons of war: and they have laid their swords under their heads, but their iniquities shall be upon their bones, though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.

Ezekiel 32:28
Yea, thou shalt be broken in the midst of the uncircumcised, and shalt lie with them that are slain with the sword.

Ezekiel 32:29
There is Edom, her kings, and all her princes, which with their might are laid by them that were slain by the sword: they shall lie with the uncircumcised, and with them that go down to the pit.

Ezekiel 32:30
There be the princes of the north, all of them, and all the Zidonians, which are gone down with the slain; with their terror they are ashamed of their might; and they lie uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword, and bear their shame with them that go down to the pit.

Ezekiel 32:32
For I have caused my terror in the land of the living: and he shall be laid in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that are slain with the sword, even Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 44:7
In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations.

Ezekiel 44:9
Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel.

Acts 7:8
And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.

Acts 7:51
Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

Acts 11:3
Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

Acts 15:1
And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

Acts 15:24
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

Acts 16:3
Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

Romans 4:11
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

Romans 4:12
And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

1 Corinthians 7:18
Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

Galatians 2:3
But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

Galatians 5:2
Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

Galatians 5:3
For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

Galatians 6:12
As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

Galatians 6:13
For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

Philippians 3:5
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

Colossians 2:11
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

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OUR GENTILE CIRCUMCISION

Romans 2:25-29
For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Colossians 2:11
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

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Acts 11:4
But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,

• Rehearsing is rehashing, recounting, relating, reciting, revisiting all over again

REHEARSE, v.t. rehers.'

1. 1. To recite; to repeat the words of a passage or composition; to repeat the words of another.
   When the words were heard which David spoke, they rehearsed them before Saul. 1 Sam 17.
2. To narrate or recount events or transactions. There shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord. Judg 5. Acts 11.
3. To recite or repeat in private for experiment and improvement, before a public representation; as, to rehearse a tragedy.

Acts 11:5-16
I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

One thing to remember in verse sixteen is that, although Peter is referring to Matthew 3:11, he omits (very important) the part of "and with fire", which was reserved for the Jewish apostles, on the Pentecost.

Isaiah 44:3 (KJV)
For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

Matthew 3:11
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Luke 3:16
John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

Acts 11:17
Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

• The implied answer to this question is, "I was nobody to question God!"
• The "like gift" spoken of here is the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 11:15-16)

Galatians 2:11-15
But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

Acts 11:18
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

• There can be no other explanation for them as to what happened
• This is God the Holy Spirit in action, since the fleshly reaction would have been,
  "No way! This has never been the case! Gentiles? Are you kidding me?"

Acts 11:19
Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

• Persecution makes the church stronger, and makes it scatter
• This was how to fulfill Acts 1:8
• Acts 1:8 prophecy, Acts 8:1 fulfillment

Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 8:1
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Acts 11:20
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.

• CYRENE: In Libya,the oldest and most important of the five Greek cities in the region. It is why eastern Libya is named Cyrenaica today.
• Had by this time been there over two centuries, with philosophers schools and Greek and Libyan philosophers
• CYPRUS: Today it is the Republic of Cyprus, which is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean. It is the third largest, third most populous island in the Mediterranean, and is a part of the European Union. LOCATION: South of Turkey, west of Syria and Lebanon, northwest of Israel, north of Egypt and east of Greece.
• ANTIOCH: In Syria,founded by one of Alexander the Great's generals, Seleucus I Nicator who named it after his father Antiochus. This is part of the Seleucid Dynasty, most notable is Seleucus Callinicus (246-226 B.C.), and Antiochus Epiphanes (175-164 B.C.). Huge part of the ancient spice trade, the silk trade, it was a rival to Alexandria, Egypt. It is where Hellenistic Judaism came from and Antioch is also called "The Cradle of Christianity" because that is where "they were first called Christians at Antioch" (v.25)
• Antioch has a prominent place in Acts, mentioned sixteen times. four verses in this chapter
• This entire area, these three cities, is where the Byzantine texts of the Textus Receptus come from.
• Missionaries from Antioch also translated the first Latin texts

Acts 6:5
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

Acts 11:19
Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

Acts 13:1
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Acts 13:14
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

Acts 14:19
And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

Acts 14:21
And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

Acts 14:26
And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

Acts 15:22
Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

Acts 15:23
And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

Acts 15:30
So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

Acts 15:35
Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Acts 18:22
And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

Acts 11:21
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

• Not much to add
• God is with them
• Many believe
• They turn to the LORD: REVIVAL!

Acts 11:22
Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

• The ears of the church means people, not a building.
• In the entire New Testament there is no building called a "church"

Acts 11:23
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

• Grace guides godly exhortations
• Grace builds and binds together the Church

Acts 11:24
For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

• Revival had broken out
• Very few people in Scripture are called "a good man" by name

BARNABAS: A GOOD MAN

2 Samuel 18:27
And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.

Psalms 37:23
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Psalms 112:5
A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.

Proverbs 12:2
A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

Proverbs 13:22
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

Proverbs 14:14
The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

Matthew 12:35
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Luke 6:45
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Luke 23:50
And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:

John 7:12
And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.

Acts 11:24
For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

Romans 5:7
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

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Acts 11:25
Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

• It is located on the southern, central coast of Turkey today
• Saul is not called Paul yet
• Tarsus is Saul's hometown
• Antony and Cleopatra met there

Acts 11:26
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

• It is often claimed in mainstream Christian circles that this was a derogatory word for followers of Christ
• This is why we have to avoid accepting something because someone is a "big name" or who wrote many books, has a big church, etc.

Acts 26:28
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

1 Peter 4:16
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Acts 11:27-28
And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

• And it happened. The fact that it came to pass meant it was authentic
• Today we have more prophecy of future events than at every other times in history-Matthew to Revelation, not even counting the Old Testament
• These prophecies start in Genesis right through, numerous and about a short time of history-the Last Days, from about 1948 to the present, into the seven year Great Tribulation

Acts 11:29
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

• Determined....."we must do this"
• No reliance on government programs, just the Church and her benevolence
• "Every man according to his ability" tells us that some are poor, some OK, some rich, not all "blessed by God with prosperity", not expecting something in return, being content with what they had
• There is no coveting displayed here, neither selfishness

Luke 3:14
And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

1 Corinthians 7:21-24
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

Hebrews 13:5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Acts 11:30
Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

• True leaders can be trusted with other people's money, always
• This could be Gentiles believers helping Jewish believers