Thursday Night Bible Study (1): Acts 11

Here’s the deal, about a month ago on a Thursday morning the Holy Spirit commanded me to read the first two chapters of Acts. I listened to the Spirit. Straight up, Jesus rocked my world through the beginning of Acts – rocked me steady. Late that same Thursday night the Lord told me to start a Bible Study. In the past, I immediately said no, but this time I finally let Him lead me, so that I could lead others. So I began a Bible Study in Clemson, SC (where I live) at my home and we dived head first into the Book of Acts. I’m writing all of this because school let out and everyone went home, thus those who went home can receive what the Holy Spirit has laid upon me to speak (& now write).

(Last week we hit Acts 9&10 where Saul is converted on the road to Damascus and immediately begins to boldly preach about Jesus Christ. Peter heals the crippled Aeneas and brings Dorcas back to life. Peter later receives a vision from the Lord and then travels to Cornelius’, who is a Gentile, to spread the life change – the miracle – that is Jesus Christ. These chapters show that miracles are done only to bring Glory to God and to draw people closer to Jesus. Jesus is made famous in anyway God wishes.)

Acts 11

11:1-3 – Here Peter has come home, back to Jerusalem, and the news traveled quickly that he spent time with Gentiles. These brothers in Christ criticize Peter, one of their leaders, for doing something different and bold. Doing something the LORD commanded him. We will sometimes have fellow Christ followers, ones we trust and respect, criticize us for doing what the LORD has called us to do.

Yet, Peter explains the truth: 11:4-17. Peter explains his vision and his travels to Caesarea. Some thoughts that grabbed my attention during Peter’s retelling was that Peter was praying, talking with God, seeking His guidance and then God spoke to him through a vision. Simultaneously the Lord spoke to Cornelius in Caesarea to send men for Peter, to bring him back with them, and that Peter would preach news that would save them. Cornelius immediately sent the men. When the men arrive, the Spirit tells Peter to go with them - without hesitation. What is impressive, and what I seek for my life, is how quickly Peter goes – he immediately obeys even though these men were Gentiles. Both Cornelius and Peter hear the word of God, His commands, and they immediately do what He demands. They simply say "yes" to God. That's all we have to do - obey!

11:17 – Peter's argument in his defense of his actions is simple. God told him to do go, so he went. God sent His Holy Spirit upon the Gentiles, the same gift He gave the circumcised believers, and the Gentiles received and believed. Peter’s response “who was I to think that I could oppose God,” is huge. Peter learned this the hard way through his time walking with Jesus, but the lesson stuck. Peter is humble and understands that God is bigger then himself, that God knows what is better, that God is God. Peter trusts the Lord. I love this about Peter and pray that for myself and for you; that we’ll always keep in mind how great God is, that He is Lord, and that He is All Knowing.

11:18 – The disciples received Peter’s words with grace and excitement because the same Holy Spirit that told Peter to act, lives inside them, and the Spirit in them celebrated. They stop rejecting and start rejoicing! God gives them a slight view of His mercy and grace. He does not judge, He does not care about race, skin color, or their past. He explains that all are equal and all can receive His gift – Jesus. God reveals that anyone has the chance to receive a forgiven life through Jesus Christ - the only action needed is surrender.

11:19-21 – Now the disciples that had fled Jerusalem after Stephen’s death had began to speak only to Jews, but there were some who were in Antioch whom began to preach to the Gentiles. This passage doesn’t say that Peter instructed the disciples that the LORD said to preach to the Gentiles. I think that the Lord came, or spoke to these disciples and told them to preach the news of Jesus to the Gentiles – just as He did to Peter. That is strictly my opinion. But the Lord was with them in Antioch and many people came to know Jesus. That leads me to believe that the LORD had nudged His disciples to speak to the Greeks as well as the Jews; to speak to all people.

11:22-24 – Once Barnabas arrived in Antioch, it was obvious to him that the LORD’s grace was on the place. I want that for every church in the world. Why shouldn’t every church be that way? Why shouldn’t God’s hand be evident over all churches? But when Barnabas experienced the LORD’s presence there, he encouraged the people to remain true to the LORD. Barnabas understood that the new believers had just begun their journey with Jesus. He knew there would be many battles, trials, and tribulations along their way, but he also knew that trust in Jesus would get them through the tough times. The church of Antioch grew even more in numbers after Barnabas arrived and the LORD did great work through him, for more people received Jesus.

11:25&26 – After some time, Barnabas went to Tarsus for Saul. The same Saul who Barnabas befriended when Saul came to Jerusalem and preached boldly for Jesus. Barnabas brings Saul back to Antioch where they bring the message of Jesus and build disciples through the church. That is how disciples are made – through Christ, through the church, through more knowledgeable teachers with individuals seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus. All out of love for and from Jesus. Its interesting that v26 calls them disciples and not just believers. That simple distinction expresses the vast transformation and growth taking place after the people of Antioch received Jesus.

11:27-30 – Other disciples came to Antioch and one of them, Agabus, had the Spirit speak through him predicting famine to come on the land. Prophesy is an amazing spiritual gift that still occurs to this day, but people become uncomfortable hearing. However, famine did come over Judea and the disciples at Antioch helped in everyway the LORD gifted them. The church took care of the people – all people. We need that today. We need the church to take care of believers and non-believers alike. We need to be Jesus and serve everyone.

Acts 12 will be posted tomorrow morning! I pray that the Holy Spirit has used Acts 11 to speak to us and that we allow Christ to be bold in us as we act - as we live this out today.