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Acts Chapter
Eleven
Acts 11
Chapter 11:19 begins the narration of the new order of
things by which the ministry of Paul is distinguished. Among those who were
scattered abroad on the occasion of Stephen's death
and who went as far even
as Antioch preaching the Lord Jesus
there were some who
being men of Cyprus
and Cyrene
were more habitually connected with Greeks. They addressed the
Greeks therefore in this ancient capital of the Seleucidae
and many received
their word and turned to the Lord. The assembly at Jerusalem
already prepared
through the conversion of Cornelius
by which God had shewn them the entering
in of the Gentiles
accept this event also and send Barnabas-himself a man of
Cyprus-to Antioch. A good man and filled with the Holy Ghost
his heart is full
of joy on seeing this work of the grace of God; and much people is added unto
the Lord.
As yet all is linked with the work at Jerusalem
although extending
now to the Gentiles. Barnabas
apparently no longer sufficient for the work and
at all events led of God
departs in search of Saul
who had gone to Tarsus
when they sought to kill him at Jerusalem. And these two meet with the assembly
at Antioch
teaching much people. Still everything takes place in connection
with Jerusalem
whence some prophets come down and announce a famine. The links
between the flock and Jerusalem as a centre are shewn and strengthened
by the
sending of relief to that religious metropolis of Judaism
and of Christianity
looked at as having its commencement in the Jewish remnant who believed in
Jesus as the Christ.
Barnabas and Saul are themselves charged with this
service
and go up to Jerusalem to accomplish it. This circumstance carries us
back to Jerusalem
where the Spirit has still something to shew us of the ways
of God.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Acts》
Acts 11
Chapter Contents
Peter's defence. (1-18) The success of the gospel at
Antioch. (19-24) The disciples named Christians
Relief sent to Judea. (25-30)
Commentary on Acts 11:1-18
(Read Acts 11:1-18)
The imperfect state of human nature strongly appears
when godly persons are displeased even to hear that the word of God has been
received
because their own system has not been attended to. And we are too apt
to despair of doing good to those who yet
when tried
prove very teachable. It
is the bane and damage of the church
to shut out those from it
and from the
benefit of the means of grace
who are not in every thing as we are. Peter
stated the whole affair. We should at all times bear with the infirmities of
our brethren; and instead of taking offence
or answering with warmth
we
should explain our motives
and show the nature of our proceedings. That
preaching is certainly right
with which the Holy Ghost is given. While men are
very zealous for their own regulations
they should take care that they do not
withstand God; and those who love the Lord will glorify him
when made sure
that he has given repentance to life to any fellow-sinners. Repentance is God's
gift; not only his free grace accepts it
but his mighty grace works it in us
grace takes away the heart of stone
and gives us a heart of flesh. The
sacrifice of God is a broken spirit.
Commentary on Acts 11:19-24
(Read Acts 11:19-24)
The first preachers of the gospel at Antioch
were
dispersed from Jerusalem by persecution; thus what was meant to hurt the
church
was made to work for its good. The wrath of man is made to praise God.
What should the ministers of Christ preach
but Christ? Christ
and him
crucified? Christ
and him glorified? And their preaching was accompanied with
the Divine power. The hand of the Lord was with them
to bring that home to the
hearts and consciences of men
which they could but speak to the outward ear.
They believed; they were convinced of the truth of the gospel. They turned from
a careless
carnal way of living
to live a holy
heavenly
spiritual life.
They turned from worshipping God in show and ceremony
to worship him in the
Spirit and in truth. They turned to the Lord Jesus
and he became all in all
with them. This was the work of conversion wrought upon them
and it must be
wrought upon every one of us. It was the fruit of their faith; all who
sincerely believe
will turn to the Lord
When the Lord Jesus is preached in
simplicity
and according to the Scriptures
he will give success; and when
sinners are thus brought to the Lord
really good men
who are full of faith
and of the Holy Ghost
will admire and rejoice in the grace of God bestowed on
them. Barnabas was full of faith; full of the grace of faith
and full of the
fruits of the faith that works by love.
Commentary on Acts 11:25-30
(Read Acts 11:25-30)
Hitherto the followers of Christ were called disciples
that is
learners
scholars; but from that time they were called Christians.
The proper meaning of this name is
a follower of Christ; it denotes one who
from serious thought
embraces the religion of Christ
believes his promises
and makes it his chief care to shape his life by Christ's precepts and example.
Hence it is plain that multitudes take the name of Christian to whom it does
not rightly belong. But the name without the reality will only add to our
guilt. While the bare profession will bestow neither profit nor delight
the
possession of it will give both the promise of the life that now is
and of
that which is to come. Grant
Lord
that Christians may forget other names and
distinctions
and love one another as the followers of Christ ought to do. True
Christians will feel for their brethren under afflictions. Thus will fruit be
brought forth to the praise and glory of God. If all mankind were true
Christians
how cheerfully would they help one another! The whole earth would
be like one large family
every member of which would strive to be dutiful and
kind.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Acts》
Acts 11
Verse 5
[5] 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:
Being in a trance —
Which suspends the use of the outward senses.
Verse 14
[14] Who shall tell thee words
whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
Saved —
With the full Christian salvation
in this world and the world to come.
Verse 17
[17]
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?
To us
when we believed — The sense is
because we believed
not because we were circumcised
was
the Holy Ghost given to us.
What was I — A
mere instrument in God's hand. They had inquired only concerning his eating
with the Gentiles. He satisfies them likewise concerning his baptizing them
and shows that he had done right in going to Cornelius
not only by the command
of God
but also by the event
the descent of the Holy Ghost. And who are we
that we should withstand God? Particularly by laying down rules of Christian
communion which exclude any whom he has admitted into the Church of the first
born
from worshipping God together. O that all Church governors would consider
how bold an usurpation this is on the authority of the supreme Lord of the
Church! O that the sin of thus withstanding God may not be laid to the charge
of those
who perhaps with a good intention
but in an over fondness for their
own forms
have done it
and are continually doing it.
Verse 18
[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.
They glorified God —
Being thoroughly satisfied.
Repentance unto life — True repentance is a change from spiritual death to spiritual life
and
leads to life everlasting.
Verse 19
[19] 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.
They who had been dispersed — St. Luke here resumes the thread of his narration
in the very words
wherewith he broke it off
Acts 8:6. As far as Phenicia to the north
Cyprus to the west
and Antioch to the east.
Verse 20
[20] 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.
Some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene — Who were more accustomed to converse with the Gentiles.
Who coming into Antioch — Then the capital of Syria
and
next to Rome and Alexandria
the most
considerable city of the empire.
Spake to the Greeks — As
the Greeks were the most celebrated of the Gentile nations near Judea
the Jews
called all the Gentiles by that name. Here we have the first account of the
preaching the Gospel to the idolatrous Gentiles. All those to whom it had been
preached before
did at least worship one God
the God of Israel.
Verse 21
[21] And
the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed
and turned
unto the Lord.
And the hand of the Lord — That is
the power of his Spirit.
Verse 26
[26] 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.
And the disciples were first called Christians
at Antioch — Here it was that they first received this
standing appellation. They were before termed Nazarenes and Galileans.
Verse 28
[28] 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.
Agabus rising up — In
the congregation.
All the world —
The word frequently signifies all the Roman empire. And so it is doubtless to
be taken here.
Verse 29
[29] Then
the disciples
every man according to his ability
determined to send relief
unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
Then —
Understanding the distress they would otherwise be in on that account
the
disciples determined to send relief to the brethren in Judea - Who herein
received a manifest proof of the reality of their conversion.
Verse 30
[30]
Which also they did
and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and
Saul.
Sending it to the elders — Who gave it to the deacons
to be distributed by them
as every one had
need.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on
Acts》
Chapter 11. Promote and Cultivate
Remain True to
the Lord
With All Their Hearts
I. Witness
Prevails Over Tradition
II. The Church
in Antioch
III. Barnabas
Look for Saul
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》