Peter Explains His Actions to the Jerusalem Church
Study note
When Peter returns to Jerusalem, Jewish believers criticize him for associating with and eating with uncircumcised Gentiles. Peter recounts the entire sequence of events -- his vision of the sheet, the Spirit's command to go with the messengers, and the Holy Spirit falling on Cornelius's household just as it had on the Jewish believers at Pentecost. He recalls Jesus' words about being baptized with the Holy Spirit and asks who he was to stand in God's way. The Jerusalem church is silenced and praises God, acknowledging that God has given the Gentiles repentance that leads to life.
1 The apostles and believers all through Judaea heard the news. Non-Jewish people had accepted God's message too. And the apostles and brethren that were in Judæa heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2 When Peter went back to Jerusalem, the Jewish believers spoke against him. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
3 "You went into the homes of non-Jewish people and ate meals with them!" they said. Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
4 Peter sat them down and walked through the whole story from the very beginning: But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
5 "I was in Joppa, praying, when I fell into a trance and saw a vision. Something like a giant sheet was lowered down from heaven by its four corners until it was before me." 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:
6 "I looked inside and saw all kinds of animals -- four-legged creatures, wild animals, reptiles, and birds." 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.
7 "Then a voice told me, 'Get up, Peter! Kill something and eat.'" And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
8 "I said, 'No, Lord! Nothing unfit or unclean has ever passed my lips.'" But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
9 "The voice from heaven came back: 'Do not call unclean what God has made clean.'" But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
10 "This happened three times, and then the whole thing was pulled back up into the sky." And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
11 "Right at that exact moment, three men arrived at the house where I was staying. They had been sent from Caesarea to find me." And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Cæsarea unto me.
12 "The Spirit told me to go with them and not to worry about it. Six other believers went with me, and we all went into the man's house together." And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
13 "Cornelius told us that an angel had appeared in his home and said, 'Send to Joppa for Simon, the one they call Peter.'" 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;
14 "'He will give you a message that will bring salvation to you and everyone in your household.'" Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
15 "As soon as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came down on them, just like it came on us at the very beginning." And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16 "That made me recall what the Lord once said. 'John baptized with water. But you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'" 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.
17 "God gave these Gentiles the exact same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. So who was I to stand in God's way?" 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?
18 When they heard all this, they stopped objecting. Instead, they praised God and said, "So God has even given non-Jewish people the chance to turn from sin and truly live!" When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
The Church in Antioch
Study note
Believers scattered by the persecution following Stephen's death travel as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, initially preaching only to Jews. However, some men from Cyprus and Cyrene begin sharing the gospel with Greeks in Antioch, and a great number believe. The Jerusalem church sends Barnabas to investigate. He rejoices at what he sees and encourages the new believers. Recognizing the need for help, Barnabas travels to Tarsus to find Saul and brings him back to Antioch, where they teach together for a full year. It is in Antioch that the disciples are first called Christians.
19 The believers who had scattered because of the persecution after Stephen's death traveled as far as Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch. But they only shared the message with Jewish people. 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.
20 Some of them, though, were from Cyprus and Cyrene. When these believers arrived in Antioch, they also started telling Greek-speaking non-Jewish people the good news about the Lord Jesus. 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.
21 The Lord was clearly working through them, and a great number of people believed and gave their lives to the Lord. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
22 Reports of this reached the church back in Jerusalem. They decided to send Barnabas to Antioch to check things out. 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.
23 When Barnabas arrived and saw the wonderful things God's grace was doing, he was overjoyed. He encouraged everyone to stay fully committed to the Lord with all their hearts. 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.
24 Barnabas was genuinely good, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. Because of his influence, many more people came to believe in the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas headed to Tarsus to find Saul. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
26 After finding him, he brought Saul back to Antioch. For an entire year, the two of them met with the church and taught large numbers of people. It was there in Antioch that believers were first called Christians. 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.
Famine Relief Sent to Judaea
Study note
A prophet named Agabus predicts through the Spirit that a severe famine will spread across the Roman world, which occurs under Emperor Claudius. The disciples in Antioch demonstrate their care for the broader church by each contributing according to their ability and sending financial relief to the believers in Judaea through Barnabas and Saul.
27 During this time, some prophets came from Jerusalem. They went to visit Antioch. And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and -- guided by the Spirit -- predicted that a devastating famine would sweep across the whole world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius Caesar.) 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 Cæsar.
29 So the believers in Antioch decided that each person would give whatever they could afford. They did this to help the brothers and sisters living in Judaea. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judæa:
30 They collected the money and sent it to the church leaders in Judaea through Barnabas and Saul. Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.