Acts 11:17
So if God gave them the same gift He gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to hinder the work of God?"
So if God gave them
The phrase begins with a conditional "if," indicating a logical reasoning process. The Greek word for "gave" is "ἔδωκεν" (edōken), which implies a gracious bestowal. This reflects the divine initiative in salvation, emphasizing that it is God who grants the gift of the Holy Spirit. Historically, this underscores the early church's struggle to understand the inclusion of Gentiles, as God’s gifts were traditionally seen as reserved for the Jewish people.

the same gift
The "same gift" refers to the Holy Spirit, which was poured out on the Gentiles as it was on the Jewish believers at Pentecost. The Greek word for "gift" is "δωρεά" (dōrea), signifying a free and unmerited favor. This highlights the unity and equality in the body of Christ, as both Jews and Gentiles receive the same Spirit, breaking down ethnic and cultural barriers.

He gave us
This phrase emphasizes the continuity and consistency of God's actions. The "us" refers to the Jewish believers, including Peter and the apostles, who first received the Holy Spirit. It serves as a reminder of the shared experience of grace and the common foundation of faith in Christ, which transcends ethnic divisions.

who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ
Belief in Jesus is the central requirement for receiving the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for "believed" is "πιστεύσαντας" (pisteusantas), meaning to have faith or trust. This belief is not merely intellectual assent but a deep, personal trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior. The title "Lord Jesus Christ" affirms His divinity, messianic role, and anointed kingship, which are foundational to Christian faith.

who was I to hinder
Peter's rhetorical question reflects humility and submission to God's will. The Greek word for "hinder" is "κωλῦσαι" (kōlysai), meaning to prevent or obstruct. This acknowledges that human prejudices or traditions should not obstruct God's sovereign work. It is a call for believers to align with God's purposes rather than resist them.

the work of God?
The "work of God" refers to the divine plan of salvation and the expansion of the church to include all nations. This phrase underscores the sovereignty and initiative of God in the mission of the church. Historically, it marks a pivotal moment in the early church, affirming that God's redemptive work transcends human boundaries and is inclusive of all who believe in Christ. This serves as an inspiration for the church today to embrace diversity and unity in the Spirit.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Peter
The apostle who is recounting his experience with Cornelius and the Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit.

2. Cornelius
A Roman centurion whose household was among the first Gentiles to receive the Holy Spirit.

3. Gentiles
Non-Jewish people who were receiving the message of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit.

4. Jerusalem
The place where Peter is explaining his actions to the Jewish believers.

5. Holy Spirit
The gift from God that was given to both Jewish and Gentile believers, signifying their acceptance by God.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Salvation
God is the ultimate authority in granting salvation and the Holy Spirit, transcending human boundaries and prejudices.

Unity in the Body of Christ
The same Holy Spirit is given to all believers, emphasizing the unity and equality of all members of the body of Christ.

Obedience to God's Leading
Like Peter, we must be willing to follow God's leading, even when it challenges our preconceived notions or traditions.

Breaking Down Barriers
The Gospel calls us to break down barriers of race, culture, and tradition, welcoming all who believe in Jesus Christ.

Witnessing God's Work
We should be attentive to how God is working in unexpected ways and be ready to testify to His grace and power.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Peter's experience with Cornelius challenge our understanding of who can receive the Gospel today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are not hindering the work of God in our communities?

3. How does the unity of the Holy Spirit among believers influence our interactions with those from different cultural or ethnic backgrounds?

4. What are some modern-day barriers that the church needs to address to fully embrace the unity described in Acts 11:17?

5. How can we discern and follow God's leading when it goes against our traditional beliefs or practices?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Acts 10
This chapter provides the background to Peter's vision and his encounter with Cornelius, illustrating the breaking of Jewish-Gentile barriers.

Galatians 3:28
This verse emphasizes the unity of all believers in Christ, regardless of ethnic or social distinctions.

Ephesians 2:14-18
Paul speaks about Christ breaking down the dividing wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles, creating one new humanity.

John 3:16
Highlights God's love for the entire world, not just a specific group, and His desire for all to believe in Jesus.

Romans 10:12-13
Paul reiterates that there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all.
Rectification and EnlargementW. Clarkson Acts 11:1-18
The Church of God Set on the New Foundation of LibertyR.A. Redford Acts 11:1-18
The Spirit of Sect and the Spirit of the GospelE. Johnson Acts 11:1-18
The Efficient Answer to ObjectorsR. Tuck Acts 11:4-17
People
Agabus, Barnabas, Christians, Claudius, Cyprians, Cyrenians, Grecians, John, Peter, Saul, Simon, Stephen
Places
Caesarea, Cyprus, Cyrene, Jerusalem, Joppa, Judea, Phoenicia, Syrian Antioch, Tarsus
Topics
Able, Believed, Believing, Christ, Equal, Faith, Forasmuch, Forbid, Gift, God's, Indeed, Oppose, Stand, Thwart, Withstand
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Acts 11:17

     3120   Holy Spirit, descriptions
     3257   Holy Spirit, gift of
     5114   Peter, apostle
     5814   confrontation
     5931   resistance
     8672   striving with God

Acts 11:1-18

     5250   centurion
     7525   exclusiveness

Acts 11:1-22

     7241   Jerusalem, significance

Acts 11:4-17

     7730   explanation

Acts 11:4-18

     1457   trance

Acts 11:5-18

     7512   Gentiles, in NT

Acts 11:15-17

     3242   Holy Spirit, baptism with
     6670   grace, and Holy Spirit

Acts 11:15-18

     3020   Holy Spirit, joy of
     3218   Holy Spirit, and praise
     8670   remembering

Acts 11:16-17

     3257   Holy Spirit, gift of

Library
April 27 Evening
A new name.--REV. 2:17. The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.--Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.--They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.--Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

The Exhortation of Barnabas
[Footnote: Preached before the Congregational Union of England and Wales.] 'Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.'--ACTS xi. 23. The first purely heathen converts had been brought into the Church by the nameless men of Cyprus and Cyrene, private persons with no office or commission to preach, who, in simple obedience to the instincts of a Christian heart, leaped the barrier which seemed impassable
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

A Nickname Accepted
'The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch' --ACTS xi. 26. Nations and parties, both political and religious, very often call themselves by one name, and are known to the outside world by another. These outside names are generally given in contempt; and yet they sometimes manage to hit the very centre of the characteristics of the people on whom they are bestowed, and so by degrees get to be adopted by them, and worn as an honour. So it has been with the name 'Christian.' It was given
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Peter's Apologia
'And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 3. Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. 4. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, 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
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The First Preaching at Antioch
'And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they ware come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.'--ACTS xi. 20, 21. Thus simply does the historian tell one of the greatest events in the history of the Church. How great it was will appear if we observe that the weight of authority among critics and commentators sees here an extension of the message of salvation
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Repentance unto Life
By "Repentance unto life," I think we are to understand that repentance which is accompanied by spiritual life in the soul, and ensures eternal life to every one who possesses it. "Repentance unto life," I say, brings with it spiritual life, or rather, is the first consequent thereof. There are repentances which are not signs of life, except of natural life, because they are only effected by the power of the conscience and the voice of nature speaking in men; but the repentance here spoken of is
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

Completion Op the Fifth Continental Journey.
1849-50. The disorganized state of Germany presented a serious obstacle to John and Martha Yeardley's resuming their labors on the Continent. FROM JOHN YEARDLEY TO JOHN KITCHING. Scarborough, 6 mo. 23, 1849. We spent two days at Malton with our dear friends Ann and Esther Priestman, in their delightful new abode on the bank of the river: we were comforted in being at meeting with them on First-day. On Second-day we came to Scarborough, and soon procured two rooms near our own former residence. The
John Yeardley—Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel

From the Ascension to the Church at Antioch.
Acts Chs. 1-12. The Book of Acts. The book of Acts is the only purely historical book of the New Testament. It is as a continuation of the gospel of Luke. It follows the fortunes of the infant church and gives us all the light we have in regard to its further organization and development, but it does not claim to be a complete history of the work of the early church. As a history it is as remarkable for what it omits as for what it narrates. The central theme is the triumph and progress of the gospel
Josiah Blake Tidwell—The Bible Period by Period

Repentance
Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.' Acts 11: 18. Repentance seems to be a bitter pill to take, but it is to purge out the bad humour of sin. By some Antinomian spirits it is cried down as a legal doctrine; but Christ himself preached it. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent,' &c. Matt 4: 17. In his last farewell, when he was ascending to heaven, he commanded that Repentance should be preached in his name.' Luke 24: 47. Repentance is a pure gospel grace.
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Some Associated Questions
A BRIEF reference to some of the other difficulties, which have been found in Luke's references to matters of contemporary history, will form a fitting conclusion to this study. In some cases all that is wanted to solve the difficulty is proper understanding of Luke's words. That, for example, is the case with Acts 11:28, where the statement, that in the days of Claudius there was famine over all the world, has been misinterpreted to imply that harvests failed and a famine ensued in every part of
Sir William Mitchell Ramsay—Was Christ Born in Bethlehem?

What God Hath Cleansed
'There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2. A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 3. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Breaking Out of Discord
'And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. 3. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles:
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Rome Protects Paul
'And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the Temple, I was in a trance; 18. And saw Him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning Me. 19. And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on Thee: 20. And when the blood of Thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Knowledge and Obedience.
"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father."--COL. i. 9-12. The Epistles
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul

Other New Testament Names for "Being Filled with the Spirit. "
That we may see how full the New Testament is of this blessing, and that we may the better understand what it is and how it is obtained, let us just glance at some other terms used by the Holy Ghost when speaking of it. 1. "Baptized with the Holy Ghost." "Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence" (Acts i. 5). See also Acts xi. 16, Matt. iii. 11, Mark i. 8, Luke iii. 16, John i. 33. Now, though "baptized" and "filled" are sometimes convertible terms, it is instructive to note
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

Luke.
Lucas, Evangelii el medicinae munera pandens; Artibus hinc, illinc religione, valet: Utilis ille labor, per quem vixere tot aegri; Utilior, per quem tot didicere mori!" Critical and Biographical Schleiermacher: Ueber die Schriften des Lukas. Berlin, 1817. Reprinted in the second vol. of his Sämmtliche Werke, Berlin, 1836 (pp. 1-220). Translated by Bishop Thirlwall, London, 1825. James Smith (of Jordanhill, d. 1867): Dissertation on the Life and Writings of St. Luke, prefixed to his Voyage and
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

For if they be Urged from the Gospel that they Should Put Nothing By...
31. For if they be urged from the Gospel that they should put nothing by for the morrow, they most rightly answer, "Why then had the Lord Himself a bag in which to put by the money which was collected? [2572] Why so long time beforehand, on occasion of impending famine, were supplies of corn sent to the holy fathers? [2573] Why did Apostles in such wise provide things necessary for the indigence of saints lest there should be lack thereafter, that most blessed Paul should thus write to the Corinthians
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

As it Is, However, They, against the Apostle of Christ...
27. As it is, however, they, against the Apostle of Christ, recite a Gospel of Christ. For so marvellous are the works of the sluggards, hindered that they want to have that very thing by Gospel, which the Apostle enjoined and did on purpose that the Gospel itself should not be hindered. And yet, if from the very words of the Gospel we should compel them to live agreeably with their way of understanding it, they will be the first to endeavor to persuade us how they are not to be understood so as
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

Whether Chrism is a Fitting Matter for this Sacrament?
Objection 1: It seems that chrism is not a fitting matter for this sacrament. For this sacrament, as stated above (A[1], ad 1), was instituted by Christ when He promised His disciples the Holy Ghost. But He sent them the Holy Ghost without their being anointed with chrism. Moreover, the apostles themselves bestowed this sacrament without chrism, by the mere imposition of hands: for it is written (Acts 8:17) that the apostles "laid their hands upon" those who were baptized, "and they received the
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

How Does it Come?
How does the Filling of the Spirit come? "Does it come once for all? or is it always coming, as it were?" was a question addressed to me once by a young candidate for the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. There are many asking the same question. We have considered how the Fullness is obtained, but now we proceed to consider, How does the Fullness come? In speaking of the blessing of being filled with the Spirit, the New Testament writers use three tenses in the Greek--the Aorist, the Imperfect, and the
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

The Ministry of Angels.
1 High on a hill of dazzling light, The King of Glory spreads his seat, And troops of angels stretch'd for flight, Stand waiting round his awful feet. 2 "Go," saith the Lord, "my Gabriel go, "Salute the virgin's fruitful womb,[1] "Make haste, ye cherubs, down below, Sing and proclaim the Saviour come." 3 Here a bright squadron leaves the skies, And thick around Elisha stands;[2] Anon a heavenly soldier flies, And breaks the chains from Peter's hands.[3] 4 Thy winged troops, O God of hosts, Wait on
Isaac Watts—Hymns and Spiritual Songs

As That, "Take no Thought for the Morrow...
29. As that, "Take no thought for the morrow," and, "Take therefore no thought what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, or what ye shall put on." [2344] Now when we see that the Lord Himself had a bag in which was put what was given, [2345] that it might be kept for necessary uses as the time should require; and that the Apostles themselves made much provision for the indigence of the brethren, not only for the morrow, but even for the more protracted time of impending dearth, as we read in the
St. Augustine—On Lying

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