Acts 11:1–18

Introduction

Acts 11:1–18: As noted in the readings from the last two days, Acts 10 describes Peter’s meeting with Cornelius, a Gentile, and how the Gentiles consequently received the Holy Spirit and were baptized. In today’s reading, Jewish believers criticize Peter for meeting with Gentiles, and he defends his actions.

Today’s Key Verse: Acts 11:15 GNT

[Peter said:] “When I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came down on them just as on us at the beginning.”

Read

11 The apostles and the other believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. ² When Peter went to Jerusalem, those who were in favor of circumcising Gentiles criticized him, saying, ³ “You were a guest in the home of uncircumcised Gentiles, and you even ate with them!” ⁴ So Peter gave them a complete account of what had happened from the very beginning:

⁵ “While I was praying in the city of Joppa, I had a vision. I saw something coming down that looked like a large sheet being lowered by its four corners from heaven, and it stopped next to me. ⁶ I looked closely inside and saw domesticated and wild animals, reptiles, and wild birds. ⁷ Then I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat!’ ⁸ But I said, ‘Certainly not, Lord! No ritually unclean or defiled food has ever entered my mouth.’ ⁹ The voice spoke again from heaven, ‘Do not consider anything unclean that God has declared clean.’ ¹⁰ This happened three times, and finally the whole thing was drawn back up into heaven. ¹¹ At that very moment three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea arrived at the house where I was staying. ¹² The Spirit told me to go with them without hesitation. These six fellow believers from Joppa accompanied me to Caesarea, and we all went into the house of Cornelius. ¹³ He told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send someone to Joppa for a man whose full name is Simon Peter. ¹⁴ He will speak words to you by which you and all your family will be saved.’ ¹⁵ And when I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came down on them just as on us at the beginning. ¹⁶ Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ ¹⁷ It is clear that God gave those Gentiles the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ; who was I, then, to try to stop God!”

¹⁸ When they heard this, they stopped their criticism and praised God, saying, “Then God has given to the Gentiles also the opportunity to repent and live!”

Reflect

Why was Peter criticized? What did the Jewish followers of Jesus seek to impose on their Gentile counterparts (verse 2)? How did Peter respond (verses 5–17)? How did the church leaders react to Peter’s speech (verse 18)? In what ways does your community of faith invite and welcome those who wish to become members?

Pray

Holy God, by your Holy Spirit, empower me to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ boldly and to reach out to others with your message of repentance, forgiveness, love, and salvation. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Acts 11:19–30: The good news spreads beyond Judea.