Acts 11:1-18
GETTING STARTED:
- We left off this study at the first of June having covered the major event of the Good News officially coming to the Gentiles. This is Ground Breaking.
- Jesus had told the in Acts 1:8 that they would take the Gospel to the ends of the earth – but they thought that it meant to all the Jewish people everywhere in the world – but it was much bigger. JESUS IS THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD.
- Now Peter has to explain what was happening to the leaders in Jerusalem.
IT WAS TIME FOR CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS TO MOVE OVER. verses 1-18
- There were people in the church more concerned that Peter had entered the home of a Gentile than they were glad that salvation had come to the Gentiles.
- In their mind – they would have to become Jews first and then get saved – but God had a bigger and better plan. (People who would not let go of this became false teachers who went out and tried to put this teaching on new believers – READ GALATIANS)
- But Peter had a better report. He shared what God had done in his life with the vision of the sheet and the command to not call unclean what God called clean.
- The convincing evidence was the Holy Spirit. Look again at verses 15-18. The lesson is that the Holy Spirit unites us – but the traditions of men will divide us.
LESSON: When the Holy Spirit starts moving – let’s stop objecting and start praising
God. Let God’s Holy Spirit open our eyes to see all the people God loves.
THE EXAMPLE OF THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH OF SYRIA. Acts 11:19-30
- We know from chapter 8 that after Stephen was martyred that great persecution broke out and the church was scattered. But they took their witness with them.
- One place that they went to was Antioch of Syria. 300 miles north of Jerusalem – about 20 miles inland of the Mediterranean Sea.
- God moved here strongly and many were saved – including Gentiles. The church sent Barnabas to check it out. Look at what it says about Barnabas in verses 22-24. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. Take note that when he witnessed the genuine move of God – it filled him with joy.
- Barnabas thought of Saul (Paul) and went and got him – and they both began to minister in this great church filled with diversity that was taking the Gospel to everyone around them. In chapter 13 – this church will launch modern missions and the intentional and strategic going out to share the Gospel.
CLOSING THOUGHT – Be open to the empowering leadership of the Holy Spirit. It will
bring great joy into your life.