Acts 11

1 Peter cometh to Jerusalem, where he is accused that he went in to the uncircumcised, 4 whereupon for his defence he relateth all that had happened concerning that matter, 18 which Apologie is accepted. 19 The dispersed believers preach Christ even unto Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, to the Jews, and some also to the Greeks, 21 so that many believed, 22 which the Church of Jerusalem understanding, send Barnabas to Antioch to strengthen them, 25 who travelleth to Tarsus to seek Saul, and bringeth him to Antioch, 26 where the Disciples are first called Christians. 27 Agabus foretelleth the famine, 29 wherefore the brethren send relief by Saul and Barnabas to the brethren at Jerusalem.

1. Now the Apostles and the Brethren [Amongst these Brethren here, also the Elders are comprehended, who are distinguished from other common Brethren or believers, Acts 15.v. 23.] which were in Judea, heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.

2. And when Peter was gone up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision, [Namely, certain believing Jews, namely, others then the Apostles] contended against him.

3. Saying thou wentest in to men who have the foreskin, [That is, who were and continue uncircumcised: from whence it appears that those which before this were converted of the Gentiles, were Proselytes, or at least were circumcised, seeing no man was offended thereat, that Peter and John went in unto them. See Acts 2:10.and 8. 14.and chapter 15.v. 7. 14.] and eat with them.

4. But Peter beginning [That which might have needed exposition in this defence of Peter unto the fourteenth verse, is noted on the former chapter] related it to them consequently, [or expounded it to them one thing after another] saying.

5. I was in the City Joppa praying; and saw in a withdrawing of sences a vision, (namely) a certain vessel like a great linen-sheet, descending, let down from heaven by the four corners, and came down unto me.

6. On which (sheet) as kept (mine) eyes, I observed and saw the fourfooted (beasts) of the Earth, and the wild and the creeping (creatures,) and the fowles of the heaven.

7. And I heard a voice which said unto me, arise Peter, stay and eat.

8. But I said, by no means Lord, for never any thing that was common or unclean entered into my mouth.

9. But the voice answered me the second time from heaven, that which God hath cleansed, thou shalt not make common.

10. And this was done for three times : and all was drawn up again into heaven.

11. And behold the same (hour) there stood three men before the house in which I was, which were sent from Cesarea unto me.

12. And the spirit said unto me that I should go with them, not doubting. And with me went also these six brethren, and we entred into the mans house.

13. And he related to us, how he had seen an Angel, which stood in his house and said unto him, send men unto Joppa and call Simon, who is sirnamed Peter.

14. Who shall speak words [Or matters, things] unto thee. by which [Gr.in which, namely, if thou embrace them with a true faith, as is expressed Acts 10:43. See a larger exposition of this verse, Luke 19:9.] thou shalt be saved and all thine house.

15. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as also on us in the beginning. [Namely after Christs ascension on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:4.and 19.v. 6.]

16. And I remembred the word of the Lord how he said, John indeed baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. [See the exposition hereof on Matthew 3:11. Acts 1:5.]

17. If therefore God gave them equall gifts, as also unto us who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, I pray, that I could hinder God? [Gr.able to hinder God, i.e. seeing God had made them partakers of the thing which is signified by baptism, how should I be able to withhold from or deny them the outward sign, the like reason of Peter, see Acts 2.v. 38, 39.]

18. And when they heard this, they were content and glorified God, saying, then hath God also to the Gentiles given repentance [That is, wrought in them by his holy spirit. See Philippians 2:13. Hebrews 8:10.] unto life.

19. Now they that were scatsered by the affliction, which came to pass about Stephen [Or in Stephen or for Stephens sake by occasion of Stephen, i.e. out of hatred to his zeal and boldness, which he had used against the Jews and their Rulers, chapter 6.and 7.] went through (the land) unto Phoenicia [this was a country in Syria, bordering on the Land of Judea, situate towards the Midland Sea, whereof Tyre was the chief City. See Acts 12:20.] and Cyprus, [this is an Island in the Midland Sea, whither men could easily sail from Tyre and Sydon. See Acts 27 3, 4.] and Antioch, [this was then the chief City of Syria, situate also about the Midland Sea, on the River Orontes, the powerfullest City of all Asia, as Alexandria of Africa, and Rome of Europe] speaking the word to no man but only to the Jews. [Namely, because they did not yet sufficiently understand the doctrine of the calling of the Gentiles.]

20. And there were certain men of Cyprus and Cyrene, of them [Namely, Jews or Jewish proselytes born in Cyprus and Cyrene, who also inhabiting at Jerusalem, because of the foregoing persecution, were forced to flee seeing they had imbraced the Christian Religion] who being come to Antioch spake to the Greeks, [that is, to the Jews who used the Greek tongue aud translation in their Synagogues. See Acts 6:1.and 9. 29.] publishing [Gr. Evangelizing] the Lord Jesus. [that is, his suffering, death, resurrection, ascension, and further all that which must be believed of him to salvation. See 1 Cor 2. 2.]

21. And the hand of the Lord [That is, the assistance and powerfull working of God, whereby their hearts were moved, See Acts 16.ver. 14. I Cor. 3. 6] was with them, and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord.

22. And the rumor of them [Gr.the word] came to the ears [Gr.was heard in the ears] of the Church which was at Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, [who was a Levite, and himself also of Cyprus, to have the better access of freedom with his Country men and neighbours: whence it seemeth that those men of whom is spoken ver. 20.driven by a speciall zeal, preached there extraordinarily the doctrine of Christ, which afterwards by Barnabas and Paul was confirmed and more inlarged, and who brought all things amongst the faithfull there into fitting order, See also the annot.on Acts 8:1.] that he should go through (the land) even unto Antioch.

23. Who being come thither, and seeing the grace of God [Namely, upon them, in embracing the doctrine of the Gospel] was glad, and exhorteth them all that with a purpose of heart [that is, with a sincere & stedfast purpose] they should abide with the Lord.

24. For he was a good man, and full of the holy Ghost and of faith: and there was a great multitude joined to the Lord.

25. And Barnabas went forth towards Tarsus [This was an eminent City in Cilicia Pauls native country, Acts 9:11.whither he was sent, Acts 9:30.] to seeke Saul: and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.

26. And it came to pass that a whole year they assembled (together) in the Church, and taught a great multitude: and that the Disciples first at Antioch were called Christians. [Gr. Christianoi, i.e. Disciples of Christ, because they embraced and confessed his doctrine: who, are also rightly called by this name, because when they believe in him, they are members of his body and partakers of hi anointing. See also of this name, Acts 26:28.and 1 Pet 4. 16.]

27. And in those diaes there came (certain) Prophets [That is, persons endued with the Spirit of foretelling things to come] down from Jerusalem to Antioch.

28. And one of them by name Agabus stood up, and gave notice by the Spirit [Gr.signified or declared] that there should be a great famine over the whole world: which also came under the Emperor Claudius. [of this famine make mention also the Historians Suetonius, in the life of Claudius, and Joseph. Antiq.lib. 20.cap. 2.]

29. And according as every one of the Disciples [That is, believers] were able, each of them determined to send (some what) for the service [Gr. Diaconian, i.e. serving of the poor brethren in their necessity] of the brethren which dwelt in Judea.

30. Which they also did, and sent it to the Elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.