Acts 11

Acts 11

Move Over & Let God Lead

I. We all question God’s leadership at times.

11     Now (while Peter was still in Caesarea) the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles (Cornelius and others) had also received the word of God (and had become gospel believers). 2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision (who were still strongly tied to the Mosaic law and Jewish traditions) contended (argued) with him, 3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!” (A segment of Jews believers still felt superior to the Gentiles as Peter did just a short time ago.  The wall of separation was still up between them.)

II. It is always the truth that reveals all things, even God’s leadership.

4 But Peter explained it to them in (chronological) order from the beginning, saying: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. 6 When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ 10 Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11 At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. 12 Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’ 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning, (at Pentecost, about 7 years earlier). 16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ (What we saw happen to the Gentiles is the same thing that happened to us.  This is the will and work of God!  Whatever God says is clean is no longer unclean, whether it is food or people!)

III. God’s leadership is to take second place to no one or to any thing.

17 If therefore God gave them (the Gentiles) the same (identical) gift as He gave us (the Jews) when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ (placed saving faith in Him—not in our works, heritage or traditions), who was I (a mere mortal, finite man) that I could withstand (prevent, hinder, stand in the way of the infinite and Most High) God?”

Gentiles are now being saved and a Gentile church established.

John MacArthur gives 3 possibilities for the delay in the Gentile Christian church getting started.

  1. “First, apostolic authority had to be established. It took time for the believers to become grounded in the apostles’ teaching (cf. Acts 2:42) and for the development of leaders. During those seven years, the apostles laid the doctrinal foundation for the church.
  2. Second, individual believers needed to be brought to a sufficient level of maturity before they could be sent out. Immature believers would not make effective missionaries.
  3. Third, it took time to tear down the long-established walls of prejudice. That was starting to be achieved (cf. Gal. 2:11–14), so the time was right to give birth to the church in a Gentile land and to move to the last phase of our Lord’s plan for evangelism—“to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).[1]

IV. God’s leadership isn’t only to be acknowledged, it is also to be embraced. The church embraced it by

A. Ceasing to think and act contrary to God’s leadership

18 When they heard these things they became silent (they backed off and pressed no other objection);

B. Publicly proclaiming and praising God for His leadership

18b and they glorified God (praised God’s Person and will), saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles (the same) repentance to life.”

Truly this is an indication to their being genuine believers.

ILLUSTRATION JACKIE ROBINSON was the first African American to play baseball in the major leagues. Breaking baseball’s color barrier, he faced hostile crowds in every stadium. While playing one day in his home stadium of Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, he committed an error. The fans began to jeer him. He stood at second base, humiliated, while the crowd booed. Then, without saying a word, shortstop Pee Wee Reese went over and stood next to Jackie. He put his arm around him and faced the crowd. Suddenly the fans grew quiet. Robinson later said that that arm around his shoulder saved his career.

Pee Wee Reese was a true friend that day–the one who stood up and said “I believe in this man”

If we are going to be true friends we need to look for the best in others and stand with them when the rest of the world is jeering.

V. Acknowledging and embracing God’s leadership, leads to clearer sight and a greater vision.

 (Verse 19 picks up now where 8:4 left off) 19 Now those (gospel believers) who were scattered (left Jerusalem) after the persecution that arose over Stephen (was martyred) traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word (the gospel of Christ) to no one but the Jews only (not knowing about Peter’s experience with Cornelius).

VI. Some make room for God’s leadership sooner than others.

 20 But (in contrast to the Hebrew Jews) some of them were men (originally) from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch (one of the 3 areas of refuge), spoke to the Hellenists (Greek speaking Jews born outside Palestine), preaching the (good news concerning the) Lord Jesus. (The insinuation through the “But” is that the Hellenist Jews in return began sharing the gospel with the Gentiles.  From there, like a brush fire, the gospel took off everywhere.) 21 And the hand (the power, authority and blessing) of the Lord was with them, and a great number (of Gentiles) believed and turned to the Lord (through saving faith as a result).

VII. When we see where God is leading we ought to join Him.

22 Then news of these things (the abundant Gentile conversions) came to the ears (the attention) of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch (to investigate this report). 23 When he (Barnabas) came and had seen the (same) grace of God (bestowed upon the Gentiles as the Jews), he was glad (he was thrilled and rejoiced over it), and encouraged them all that with purpose (with all resolve, perseverance) of heart they should continue (remain steadfast) with the Lord (remain faithfully, completely devoted to Him).

What Barnabas was doing and teaching is exactly what Hebrews 10:19–25 tells us.

19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness (complete freedom, authorization, full clearance, cp., Jn. 1:12[2]) to enter the Holiest (the presence of God) by the blood of Jesus (a blessing and privilege), 20 by a new and living way (that the OT saints never enjoyed or experienced) which He (Jesus) consecrated for us (established), through the veil, that is, His flesh (a blessing and privilege that cost Jesus His life), 21 and having a High Priest (Christ) over the house of God (Christ not only provides and shows the way to God, but He also takes us with Him before the Father), 22 let us draw near (let us go to meet Him and take Christ’s hand to go with Him into the Father’s sanctuary, cp., 4:16; Jn. 4:24[3]) with a true heart (an honest, genuine, committed, dependable, undivided heart) in full assurance of faith (boldly, without hesitation or delay), having our hearts sprinkled (not with the blood of animals, but with the blood of Christ, our Master and God) from an evil conscience (as our past, present and future sin is all forgiven) and our bodies washed (baptized) with pure water (baptized into Christ, His power and authority). 23 Let us hold fast (continue to believe and practice cp., 1 Jn. 5:13[4]) the confession of our hope (being Christ, our great High Priest, cp., Titus 2:11-14[5]) without wavering (like charging in the front of a battle with ones colors and flag—waving it proudly and boldly), for (the reason being) He who promised is faithful (Christ never has nor ever will break a promise). 24 And let us consider (give attention in a way that makes a difference to) one another in order to stir up love (love for God and our neighbors—the two greatest commandments) and good works (good Samaritan works, noble, Christ-like deeds), 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together (which shows a lack of love and good works and reflects self-centeredness and desertion), as is the manner of some, but exhorting (encouraging, consoling, spurring) one another, and so much the more as you see the Day (of the 7 year tribulation) approaching.

 24 (Barnabas encouraged them) For  he was a good man (a man of godly character and actions, godly attitudes and motivations), full (totally committed to and under the complete influence) of the Holy Spirit and (a man full) of faith (unwavering confidence in the promises and power of God. There was no room for doubt in Christ in Barnabas’ Christian journey.) And (as a result of Barnabas’ ministry with the people) a great many (more) people were added to the Lord. (Barnabas did much more than go to these villages to take notes for his report, He couldn’t help but jump right into the work God was doing himself.)

VIII. It’s right to seek out others to participate in God’s leading.

25 Then (seeing the further explosion of the church and being led certainly by the Holy Spirit) Barnabas departed (from Antioch) for Tarsus to seek Saul. (It had been 7 or 8 years since Saul returned to Tarsus in Acts 9:30 and he seemed to have disappeared during that time).

  • The accounts we are reading here took time to transpire.’
  • Do you think that there are some pastors and/or evangelists that if they were in Barnabas’ situation, may try to keep all the focus on them and for themselves?

ILLUSTRATION: Forty thousand fans were on hand in the Oakland stadium when Rickey Henderson tied Lou Brock’s stolen base record. According to USA Today Lou, who had left baseball in 1979, had followed Henderson’s career and was excited about his success. Realizing that Rickey would set a new record, Brock said, “I’ll be there. Do you think I’m going to miss it now? Rickey did in 12 years what took me 19. “He’s amazing,” Brock said!  Now there is a Barnabas spirit.

What Lou Brock did in cheering on Rickey Henderson should be a way of life in the family of God. Few circumstances give us a better opportunity to exhibit God’s grace than when someone succeeds and surpasses us in an area of our own strength and reputation. [Our Daily Bread, June 19, 1994.]

As fellow servants we need to be overjoyed when our help and support plays a part in the success of another. Ronald Reagan once said there’s no limit to what we can accomplish if we don’t care who gets the credit. We need to be servants who work for the success of others.

 26 And when he (Barnabas) had (eventually) found him (Saul), he brought him (back) to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they (together, as a team) assembled with the church (discipling the new gospel believers) and taught a great many (a multitude of) people (outside the church to become believers in Christ). And the disciples (Christ followers) were first called Christians (meaning “of the party of Christ”) in Antioch. (The gospel believers didn’t give themselves the name, but the unbelievers did.  The name was also not meant to be complementary but derogatory, cp., 1 Pet. 4:16[6].)  

ILLUSTRATION In his book “Another Chance,” Dean Merrill, tells the story of a professional man who lost his job and was forced to take a menial construction job. Day after day, he was subjected to the crude language and humor of his boss and coworkers. One day he made a rookies mistake which made him the butt of jokes for days. Finally he decided that he would work one more day and quit. That day happened to be payday. As the offensive foreman brought him his check, he made his first civil comment to him in three weeks. “Hey, there’s a woman working in the front office who knows you. Says she takes care of your kids sometimes.” “Who?” He named the woman, who sometimes helped in the nursery of the church where the man and his family worshiped. The foreman then went on with his rounds. When the man opened his envelope, he found, along with his check, a handwritten note from the payroll clerk: “When one part of the body of Christ suffers, we all suffer with it. Just wanted you to know that I’m praying for you these days.” He stared at the note, astonished at God’s timing. He hadn’t even known the woman worked for this company. Here at his lowest hour, she had given him the courage to go on, to push another wheelbarrow of mortar up that ramp. [Dean Merrill, Another Chance, Zondervan, 1981, p. 138]

A good friend brings the spiritual aspect into daily life. When a friend shares about a struggle they’re facing what stops us from offering a prayer right then and there? When a friend is obviously failing to meet the Lord’s expectations, a true friend doesn’t just let it go. Because a true friend is a spiritual influence on others.

IX. God leads in many different forms and for many different objectives.

27 And in these days (sometime during the year that Barnabas and Saul were in Antioch other) prophets (Spirit filled and led proclaimers of the Word of God, cp., Eph. 4:11, 12[7]) came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the (Holy) Spirit that there was going to be a great famine (historians tell of a famine of various degrees) throughout all the (Roman) world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.

Although there is no record of a single famine that ravaged the whole empire in the time of Claudius, various Roman historians referred to a series of bad harvests and famine conditions during his reign (cf. Suetonius Vita Claudius 18:2; Tacitus Annales 12.43; Dio Cassius History of Rome 60.11; Orosius History 7.6.17). Josephus tells of a particularly severe famine in Palestine about a.d. 45–47 (Antiq. XX, 51–53 [ii.5]; perhaps also idem, III, 320–21 [xv.3], if the mention of Claudius is not in error).

Josephus’s reference to a famine is in his account of the conversion to Judaism of Helena and Izates, the queen mother and the king of Adiabene in northern Mesopotamia, who provided food and money for the people of Jerusalem. As Josephus tells it, Helena’s coming to Jerusalem as a pilgrim sometime around a.d. 46

was very advantageous for the people of Jerusalem, for at that time the city was hard pressed by famine and many were perishing from want of money to purchase what they needed. Queen Helena sent some of her attendants to Alexandria to buy grain for large sums and others to Cyprus to bring back a cargo of dried figs. Her attendants speedily returned with these provisions, which she thereupon distributed among the needy. She has thus left a very great name that will be famous forever among our whole people for her benefaction (Antiq. XX, 51–52 [ii.5]).

Josephus goes on to say, “When her son Izates learned of the famine, he likewise sent a great sum of money to the leaders of the Jerusalemites [tois prōtois tōn Hierosolymitōn]. The distribution of this fund to the needy delivered many from the extremely severe pressure of famine” (Antiq. XX, 53; [ii.5]; cf. b Baba Bathra lla, which refers to Izates’s successor Monobazus as also supplying such famine relief, probably also to Jerusalem, “in years of scarcity” later on).[8]

Egypt sold grain for the benefit of the people in famine-stricken Jerusalem, Cyprus supplied figs, and the Christians in Antioch sent aid to the believers (as we will see) in Judea (v. 29).[9]

  • We see here that even though the prophets of the NT (forth tellers of the truth of God’s Word) are quite different than the prophets of the OT (forth tellers of the future), God is still not limited by the norms of any dispensation. He can’t be put into a box.  As we see here, God used an NT prophet to do OT work.

 29 Then (after the news of the famine) the disciples (gospel believers collectively), each according to his ability, determined (made the resolve) to send relief (funds) to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 This they also did (followed through on), and sent it to the elders (overseers, pastors of the churches) by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

This took place (as we will see in the next chapter) after Herod had killed James (12:2), had attempted to kill Peter, had abused the church in Jerusalem (12:1), and had died a most terrible death (12:23), after the Passover of 44. [10]

[1] MacArthur, J. (1994). Acts (310–311). Chicago: Moody Press.

[2] John 1:12 – But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right (the authority) to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

[3] Hebrews 4:16 – Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

John 4:24 – God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

[4] 1 John 5:13 – These things I have written to you who believe (place saving faith) in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe (place practical faith) in the name of the Son of God.

[5] Titus 2:11–14 – 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

[6] 1 Peter 4:16 – If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

[7] Ephesians 4:11–12 – And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

[8] Longenecker, R. N. (1981). The Acts of the Apostles. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 9: John and Acts (F. E. Gaebelein, Ed.) (403–404). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

[9] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 17: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles. New Testament Commentary (425). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

[10] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles (462). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.