Book of Acts of the Apostles
Compiled by WD Kemner November 2024
Chapter 10 -11 Overview
Dispersion of the Gospel to include Gentiles
It has now been some years since the Day of Pentecost and Acts chapter 2. The message and Gospel had been preached only to the Jews at this point. Romans 1:16. It was even believed that it was only for the Jew. That will now change as we will see in the next chapters. It was now time for God’s plan to take it to the Gentiles.
Peter brings Gospel to house of Cornelius
People: Peter; Cornelius a Centurion of the Italian band
Location: Caesarea
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord?
And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
This is Caesarea. Where Philip settled. See map at end of Acts chapter 8 study.
Centurion = captain of 100 men in Roman army
Band = Greek “speira”. A regiment of about 555 infantry and 66 calvary. This one all Italians.
Ninth hour = 3:00 PM. They would not reach Joppa that day.
Peter’s Vision
Acts Chapter 10 verses 9-16
On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
If this message from God had not been received by Peter, things would have been dramatically different for the Gospel being spread.
The Jews had a belief system that would have required strict rules upon Gentile believers. It would take time for Peter to share this vision and to bring an understanding to his fellow Apostles.
This vision was in God’s plan and timing for the arrival of the men from Cornelius.
Acts Chapter 10 verses 17-23
Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
It would be yet ANOTHER day before they would begin the journey back.
Note that Peter took six eye witnesses (verse 12 next chapter) from Joppa along with him. He would later need them when meeting with his fellow Apostles. There would be discussion held regarding this new directive from God that allowed the Gentiles to receive the message.
And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
Peter does not hide the truth of the situation that he found himself in. He also shares honest and direct in regards to that and also the word that he was shown by God.
And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
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Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
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While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
The message that changed everything in regards to the Gentiles and the Gospel having been given to the Jews first. Romans 1:16. Peter was the ideal individual to have received this directive from God.
Peter recounts his vision to the Jews
Acts Chapter 11 verses 1-10
People: Peter, Apostles, Leaders, Jewish Believers
Location: Jerusalem
And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
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.
Note that in his vision, the food was let down from Heaven Three times.
Acts Chapter 11 verses 11-17
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. 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?
Peter’s statement is very appropriate and should be remembered daily. “…what was I, that I could withstand God?” Who wants to argue with God?
Acts Chapter 11 verse 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.
No record of any dissent. Peter had the authority to be respected.
Dispersion of the Gospel to Antioch and the Greeks
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.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.And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
Acts Chapter 11 verses 22-24
Location: Jerusalem
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. 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. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
Barnabas, this details the man’s character. If only that description could be applied to us.
Acts Chapter 11 verses 25-26
People: Barnabas, Saul
Location: Tarsus to Antioch
Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 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.
Saul and Barnabas spent an entire year with the church at Antioch. Antioch becoming the place where “followers of Christ” first began to be referenced as “Christians”.
Acts Chapter 11 verses 27-30
People: Barnabas, Saul, Agabus and other prophets.
Location: Antioch
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. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
“prophets” – spokesmen for God and often were given by God information on future events.
Paul would write about the Gifts of the Spirit in his letter to the Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 12 lists Prophecy as one of the Gifts and then follow with directives on using the gift in 1 Corinthians 14.
Other prophets are also mentioned by name in Acts 15:32. Agabus is also mentioned in Acts 21:10.
“Dearth” is a scarcity of food. The same word is also used in Acts 7:11 when discussing the historical famine in time of Joseph. This particular drought only occurred in the area of Judea. This was known to the Apostles as proven by all the collection of aid relief only went to Judea.
This drought is also recorded by historian Josephus in his writings in Book 20, chapters 2, 5.
This is also a major giving of relief being sent from believers in one location to those in another. This becomes a large part in the Missionary travels recorded in the following chapters of Acts.