Acts 11
OGCACTS TEST OVER Chapter S EIGHT THROUGH TWELVE True or False
The opposition of the church takes a definite turn in procedure beginning with the eighth chapter.
This change, or turn, was in the fact that the Sadducees now took up the persecution whereas it was formerly the Pharisees.
The rulers really had nothing to fear for the Christians would have always been in the minority.
This persecution was in reality providential.
The book of Acts teaches us that this persecution was only confined to Jerusalem.
Christians stayed in Jerusalem; there is record of their secret meetings.
The death of Stephen was a great defeat.
Only the men, of course, went everywhere preaching the word.
There is a record of the apostles hiding themselves in Jerusalem and thus were they enabled to stay in the city.
The word they preached was preached everywhere.
Multiple Choice Acts 8:5-12
Philip went to Samaria and proclaimed unto them: 1) The Messiah. 2) The Christ. 3) Jesus.
This Philip was: 1) Philip the apostle. 2) Philip the deacon. 3) Another Philip.
Philip became an evangelist: 1) When he was ordained by the apostles. 2) When he started evangelizing. 3) Later in Caesarea.
They believed Philip when they saw: 1) His honest face. 2) The signs which he did. 3) His marvelous delivery.
Among those diseases healed by Philip was: 1) Demon possession. 2) Blindness. 3) Deafness.
As a result of the preaching and healing there was much: 1) Conviction. 2) Joy. 3) Conflict in the city.
The record states that Simon amazed the people by: 1) Sorcery. 2) Ventriloquism. 3) Both.
All believed Simon from the least to the greatest because: 1) He had been doing it for such a long time. 2) He was the mayor of the town. 3) He had an agreement with the leaders of the city.
They believed Philip instead of Simon because: 1) Not all heard Simon. 2) Some never did believe in Simon. 3) Philip’s message and work were plainly superior to those of Simon.
Acts 8:12 compares very well with: 1) Acts 2:38. 2) Acts 3:19. 3) Mark 16:15-16.
Fill in the Blanks
But Peter said: Thy silver ______________________________________________ with ___________________ for thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money.
… and pray the Lord, if _____________________ the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee.
For I see that thou art in the _____________________ of bitterness and the _____________________ of iniquity.
They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to _________________ and preached the gospel to many _____________________ of the Samaritans.
But an __________________________ of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza; the same is ___________.
And he arose and went; and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a ___________ of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to ____________________.
And Philip ran to him, and ___________________ him reading Isaiah the prophet.
He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, so he openth not his mouth; in his ____________ his judgment was taken away.
And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this scripture, __________________ unto him ___________________.
Find FIVE (5) mistakes in this paragraph.
Philip preached Jesus from Jeremiah the prophet to this negro. Near to where they were was a body of water. The eunuch seeing the water said: Behold here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? The horses were called to a halt and the eunuch went down alone into the water and was baptized. From this text, apart from the Greek, it would be impossible to determine the mode of baptism. The Azotus mentioned is the city of Gaza on the Philistine plain. Philip was at this time a single man who could make this trip even as Paul did on his missionary journeys.
UNDERLINE the words that are out of place. (ONE word for each question)
Acts 9:1 to Acts 2:1) Saul. 2) Slaughter. 3) Synagogues. 4) Share.
Acts 9:1 to Acts 2:1) Letters. 2) Leniency. 3) Lord.
Acts 9:3-8 a. 1) Damascus. 2) Drew nigh. 3) Dream.
Acts 9:3-8 a. 1) Light. 2) Letters. 3) Liberty. 4) Lord.
Acts 9:3-8 a. 1) Goad. 2) Go. 3) Grown.
Acts 9:3-8 a. 1) Boast. 2) Blind. 3) Broken. 4) Best.
Acts 9:3-8 a. 1) Conviction. 2) Conversion. 3) Confession. 4) Constitution.
Acts 9:8 b - Acts 9:22. 1) Ananias. 2) Arise. 3) Amazed. 4) Azotus.
Acts 9:8 b - Acts 9:22. 1) Saints. 2) Suffer. 3) Share. 4) Seen.
Acts 9:8 b - Acts 9:22. 1) Brother. 2) Bear. 3) Bring.
Affirm or Deny But Tell the Reason Why
I say that Simon the sorcerer was never really converted.
Affirm ____________________ Deny ____________________ Tell why.
I say the despised Samaritans were the first Gentile converts.
Affirm ____________________ Deny ____________________ Tell why.
I say that Acts 8:14 (Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John) offers proof that Peter was not the first Pope.
Affirm ____________________ Deny ____________________ Tell why.
I say that Peter and John were sent to Samaria to investigate the faith of these Samaritans and see if they were on the right track.
Affirm ____________________ Deny ____________________ Tell why.
I say that nowhere did anyone ever connect prayer with receiving the Holy Spirit.
Affirm ____________________ Deny ____________________ Tell why.
I say that the Samaritans did not have the Holy Spirit until the apostles arrived and gave it to them.
Affirm ____________________ Deny ____________________ Tell why.
I say the Holy Spirit fell on them in answer to prayer; therefore we should pray the same prayer today.
Affirm ____________________ Deny ____________________ Tell why.
I say that Luke does not tell us all of the circumstances of Simon’s sin and that it must have been a real temptation to Peter and John.
Affirm ____________________ Deny ____________________ Tell why.
I say that Simon must have thought about it a long while before he made the offer to Peter and John.
Affirm ____________________ Deny ____________________ Tell why.
I say that Simon would have had to wait until the Lord’s day to be forgiven of his sin.
Affirm ____________________ Deny ____________________ Tell why.
True or False
1
The main thought of Luke in the whole work of Peter was the conversion of Cornelius.
2
The eunuch was the first Gentile convert to Christianity.
3
Cornelius could have been saved if he had continued in his devoutness.
4
Cornelius could have been saved in his pious life if he had had no opportunity to hear of Christ.
5
Cornelius was an officer of the Roman army maintained in Caesarea to keep law and order.
6
Cornelius probably obtained his faith through association with the Jews.
7
No worship to Jehovah in sincerity goes unrewarded.
8
Cornelius observed the Jewish hours of prayer.
9
The angel appeared at noon. (To Cornelius).
10
The angel had on garments that literally shown with their brightness.
11
Cornelius did not connect the angel with God.
12
The angel told Cornelius to go himself to Joppa and fetch Simon Peter.
13
The angel did not want Cornelius to mix Simon the apostle with Simon the tanner, so he told him of his surname.
14
Cornelius sent only his two household servants as messengers to fetch Peter.
15
It was at the sixth hour when the men arrived in Joppa.
16
The vision of Peter and Cornelius were exactly similar.
17
To have eaten what was in the sheet would have been to sin, so thought Peter.
18
The sheet descended from heaven three times.
19
The men from Cornelius stood outside of the house at the outer gate and called in to inquire of the whereabouts of Simon Peter.
20
The messengers of Cornelius made the mission of Peter as attractive to the Jewish mind as possible.
Multiple Choice
Who heard the news of Peter’s work in Caesarea? 1) The apostles. and disciples. 2) The apostles and brethren. 3) The apostles and brethren of Judea.
Who contended with Peter at Jerusalem? 1) The apostles. 2) The disciples. 3) They of the circumcision.
Their charge was: 1) He should not have preached to them. 2) Eaten with them. 3) Baptized them.
To convince these of Jerusalem, Peter: 1) Preached the gospel to them. 2) Only told them of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 3) Told them how the Lord had convinced him.
Peter concluded his defense by saying: The Holy Spirit had: 1) Overcome them. 2) Fallen on them as on us in the beginning. 3) filled them.
Peter’s closing words were that: 1) God had accepted the Gentiles in that He had given them the Holy Spirit. 2) The Gentiles had been baptized in the Holy Spirit, therefore were saved and accepted. 3) God had plainly told him to accept these unclean persons.
Now when they heard these things they: 1) Praised the Lord. 2) Contended with Peter. 3) Held their peace and glorified the Lord.
**The Labors of the Early Disciples
Here is a list of TEN words. Pick out the ones that DO NOT relate to this section. The correct ones are all QUOTED from the text.
1
Scattered.
2
Scarcely.
3
Tribulation.
4
Tremble.
5
Traveled.
6
Cyprus.
7
Syria.
8
Phoenicia.
9
Antioch.
10
Hebrews.
Who’s Who in Acts 11:22, Acts 12:25.
Who said the following?
There will be a famine over all the world.
Rise up quickly.
Now I know of a truth, that the Lord hath sent forth his angel.
Peter is standing before the gate.
It is his angel.
Tell these things unto James and the brethren.
Put them to death.
The voice of a god, and not of a man.
Who did the following?
Went to seek for Saul in Tarsus.
Became the ones who were first called Christians.
Killed James the brother of John with a sword.
Slept at the door of the prison.
Had a prayer meeting in her house.
Went down to Caesarea.
Made Blastus their friend.
Arrayed himself in royal apparel, and sat on the throne.
Smote Herod.
Went back to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.
Acts 11:1-18
AT JERUSALEM. Acts 11:1-18.
a.
News reaches Jerusalem; objection. Acts 11:1-3.
Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles also had 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.
**Acts 11:1-3 **The news of Peter’s work in Caesarea traveled faster than the apostle. The word of the preaching to the Gentiles had spread throughout the entire assembly by the time Peter arrived. Not only the apostles of Jerusalem heard, but also the brethren that were in Judea.
The report of Peter’s work was that the Gentiles also had received the Word of God. But when Peter arrived, the point at issue was not the reception of the Word of God but rather the propriety of eating with the uncircumcised.
Name the two groups in Jerusalem that heard of Peter’s work in Casearea.
What was the point of issue when Peter returned to Jerusalem?
b.
The answer of Peter. Acts 11:4-18.
But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying,
I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me:
upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven.
And I heard also a voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.
But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth.
But a voice answered the second time out of heaven, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.
And this was done thrice: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
And behold, forthwith three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent from Caesarea unto me.
And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man’s house:
and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter;
who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.
And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
If then God gave unto them the like gift as he did also unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?
And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life.
Acts 11:4-17 There was no delay in raising the issue, probably because of the previous close association of Peter and these brethren. They of the circumcision gave voice to the objection. The terminology would seem to indicate these were the ones among the Jewish brethren who were special sticklers for the rite of circumcision. We are persuaded it came from some among the brethren that were in Judea. The apostles all being Galileans and coming from the more humble walks of life would not be so ready to take up such an exclusive position. Especially would this be true in light of the fact that the apostles had been baptized with the Holy Spirit and thus would have a more complete knowledge of the will of the Lord.
Who do you suppose voiced the objection?
What the brethren in Judea and Jerusalem wanted was an answer to their question and charge. Peter did not disappoint them. Peter was just as hesitant as were these other Jews to admit the Gentiles into the full favor of God. Peter thought that what convinced him and the other six Jewish brethren should convince his objectors. Hence, he rehearsed in order all that had happened to him beginning with his vision on the house-top of Simon the tanner and concluding with the baptism in the Holy Spirit of the household of Cornelius. The only word to be added to the account as it has already been given is the statement of Peter in verses fifteen to seventeen where we find the words of Jesus respecting John’s baptism and the Holy Spirit baptism which lends emphasis to the Holy Spirit’s work with the household of Cornelius. Peter says the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. That is, God himself placed His stamp of acceptance upon these persons; and that, totally apart from any effort of Peter. This happened unto them even as it had happened to the apostles in the beginning or creation of the church. Then the words of Jesus immediately came to the mind of the apostle; those words which he had thought had exclusive application to him and the eleven. But now for some strange reason (he was not long in seeing) the same gift, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, was given to these Gentiles as was given to the apostles.
Acts 11:18 Peter had been given two or three divinely directed reasons for bringing the gospel to the Gentiles; now he could see that the Lord intended that he hold no barriers at all but accept these persons into the full fellowship of the body of Christ. Peter felt that to do anything else would be resisting and refusing the will of God. The response of these Jewish brethren is wonderful. It is a beautiful pattern for all of us. When we have disagreed with a brother or sister over any matter of God’s will and that person presents the will of God from His word, let us follow their example. Note:
When God speaks we are to keep quiet. They held their peace, They were not stubborn and willful but ready to concede.
Then we are to thank God for new truth or light (and they glorified God) rather than grudgingly admitting our inability to object.
Admit into full and unrestricted fellowship those you had once cut off. Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life.
What method did Peter use in convincing the apostles and brethren of Judea?
What is the meaning of the term beginning as it appears in Acts 11:15?
Why can we say that the response of these Jewish brethren was wonderful? How does it offer an example for today?
Acts 11:19-21
**THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH.
They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews.
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord.
**Acts 11:19-21 **The work has begun. The line has been crossed. The household of the faith has been immeasurably enlarged. What then would be more natural for the historian Luke to record than the continuance of this work among the Gentiles?
The next step in the spread of the Word to the Greeks also, as the Gentiles were so often called, was not carried out by way of the apostles but rather by men from Cyprus and Cyrene. If the reader will grant us the privilege we will tell in our own words the way in which this came to pass. The story starts at the time of the stoning of Stephen. As all know, a great tribulation or persecution arose against the whole church at this time. Some of those who were scattered went not only into Judea and Samaria, as Luke previously stated (Acts 8:1), but also into the country of Phoenicia, to the isle of Cyprus and to the metropolis of Antioch. To these places they brought the word of life but they were careful to preach only to the Jews. Then a change takes place. The men from Cyprus and Cyrene came to Antioch and preached the Lord Jesus unto Greeks also. What prompted these Jews to do this? Could it not have been that the word of the work of Peter among the Gentiles reached these places and when this report came to them, they, in their zeal for the Lord, did not hesitate to take the gospel to the great Gentile center of Antioch? The preaching of Christ attracted much interest, many listened, many believed, and many of those who did believe turned unto the Lord, i.e. were baptized (cf. McGarvey I pp. 224-225). Truly the hand of the Lord was with them. Thus, was the first church established among the Gentiles.
Show how the persecution of the church by Saul started the work of Christ in Antioch.
What change takes place in the preaching of those that were scattered following the conversion of Cornelius?
Acts 11:22-30
**THE EARLY LABORS OF BARNABAS AND SAUL.
IN JERUSALEM. Acts 11:22.
And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch:
Acts 11:22 News of persons who are attempting to carry forth the same type of work you are is always of great interest. Especially must this have been true in the early years of the church when there were but few Christians, and these were as foreigners in the midst of a strange and hostile country. The report of the work among those of Antioch must have been received with the greatest of interest since it was concerning not only their common work but it was carried out among the Gentiles.
The choice of Barnabas as the man to visit the work in Antioch was surely a happy one; Barnabas the son of exhortation. Barnabas the one who had the faith and courage to believe in and defend one for whom others had only suspicion and unbelief. Barnabas was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and faith.
AT ANTIOCH. Acts 11:23-24.
who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he 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 Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
**Acts 11:23-24 **When this man came to Antioch and was introduced to converted men and women of this city, he looked upon them as a manifestation of the grace of God. His heart was glad, and true to his name and reputation, he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
What better word could the preacher give them? This thought is so much neglected today; it is not enough that a great number turn to the Lord, it is just as important that they with purpose of heart cleave unto the Lord.
Because of the actions of Barnabas on this occasion, Luke could say of him for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and faith. Barnabas was not content only to rejoice in the work of others but to cast himself also into the effort. Through his preaching and exhortation much people were added unto the Lord. This terminology as we have said elsewhere refers to being added to the body of Christ which is His church, Ephesians 1:22-23 and Acts 5:14.
Why was the word of the work in Antioch of special interest to those in Jerusalem?
Why was the choice of Barnabas a happy one?
Why could Luke say of Barnabas he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit?
TARUS
Tarsus was situated in a wide and fertile plain on the banks of the Cydnus, which flowed through it; hence it is sometimes called Tarsoi. The founding of Tarsus in legendary, The Assyrians entered Cilicia in 850 B.C. and Shalmaneser III’S Black Obelisk mentions the taking of the city. It appears in history in Xenophon’s time, when it was a city of considerable importance. It was occupied by Cyrus and his troops for twenty days, and given over to plunder. After Alexander’s conquests had swept this way, and the Seleucid kingdom was established at Antioch, Tarsus usually belonged to that kingdom, though for a time it was under the Ptolemies. In the civil wars of Rome it took Caesar’s side, and on the occasion of a visit from him had its name changed to Juliopolis. Augustus made it a free city. It was renowned as a place of education under the early Roman emperors. Strabo compares it in this respect to Athens and Alexandria. Tarsus was also a place of much commerce. Both land and sea highways made Tarsus a famed ancient emporium. The famous Cilician Gates, one of antiquity’s most famous mountain passes, is not far distant, and access by water to the Mediterranean made Tarsus a famous trading center. (Unger’s Bible Dictionary p. 1071.) This was the town where Saul was born; think of his background with its advantages and disadvantages.
AT TARSUS. Acts 11:25-26 a.
And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul;
and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people;
Acts 11:25 It would seem that the number turning to the Lord grew to such proportions that Barnabas needed a helper to assist him in the work of an evangelist. Who would be better qualified to do this work than Saul of Tarsus? Tarsus was but a few miles from Antioch. So it happened that one day Barnabas said goodbye to those of the church in Antioch and traveled as far as Seleucia and sailed across the short span of the Mediterranean to Tarsus. To say what Saul had been doing since he arrived from Jerusalem would be pure speculation, but it does seem highly probable since he was in the regions of Syria and Cilicia (Galatians 1:21 b), and since churches were established about this time in these parts (Acts 15:41) that he was preaching the Word.
Acts 11:26 a Luke suggests that Barnabas encountered a little difficulty in finding Saul. But when he did find him what a meeting there must have been. Saul looked upon the request of Barnabas for help as the will of God. He hence returned with Barnabas to Antioch. The work was increasing so rapidly that Saul and Barnabas continued for a whole year unabated in their work in the church. The efforts of these two men were to teach the people (cf. Acts 13:1). There is a real word of meaning in the work of Barnabas and Saul for the ministers of today.
IN ANTIOCH. Acts 11:26 b - Acts 11:30.
and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Now in these days there came down prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius.
And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judaea: Acts 11:30 which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
What was Saul doing in Tarsus?
Why was Saul willing to leave Tarsus and go with Barnabas?
What was the effort of these two men as they labored for a year in Antioch? (cp. Acts 13:1)
a.
The labors of Saul and Barnabas. Acts 11:26 b.
The name Christian is here used for the first time. The manner of giving the name has been a subject of no little comment. It is our contention that the use of the Greek word for called as used here carries something of the thought of being divinely called. That is, God Himself selected this new name (Isaiah 62:2) and here called the disciples by their new name Christians. It was especially appropriate at this time for now both Jews and Gentiles made up the church and a name could be given by which all of them could be known.
b.
The coming and message of the prophets from Jerusalem. Acts 11:27-28.
**Acts 11:27-28 **Following the year’s fruitful work in Antioch the brethren were visited by prophets from Jerusalem. They no doubt were glad to receive them but wanted to know the intent of their visit. The Spirit did not delay long in speaking through these men. As they gathered in a group there stood up one of the prophets named Agabus, who, speaking under the impulse of the Holy Spirit, foretold a great famine that was to affect the whole inhabited earth. Luke upon recording this scene sometime later states that this promised famine did occur in the days of Claudius, the emperor of that time.
c.
The free will offering taken and sent. Acts 11:29-30.
**Acts 11:29-30 **Immediately the brethren in the church in Antioch thought of others. How would they fare? How would others be affected? Always the first to suffer in a famine were those of Judea. The ground of the province of Judea was not productive enough to supply all the needs of the many who lived within its borders. This was true in natural times; what then would be their condition in a famine? Since the time for the celebration of the feast of the Passover was near many of Judea would be in Jerusalem. They took up a free will offering for the brethren of Judea and sent it by the hands of Barnabas and Saul to the elders of the Jerusalem church. This is the first mention of elders in the church.
Who gave the name Christian to the disciples? Why especially appropriate at this time?
How did Agabus and the others from Jerusalem become prophets?
Who was Claudius?
Why send relief to those of Judea since the famine was to affect the whole world? Why at this particular time?