Acts 11 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Acts 11 in 5 Minutes

WHEN:

• The events of Acts 11 span several years, an approximate timeframe is 39-45 A.D.

• Emperor Claudius reigned from 41-54 A.D.

CHARACTERS:

• Peter – One of Jesus 12 Apostles. In chapter 10, he visited a gentile named Cornelius.

• The Circumcision Party – Jews who were critical of Peter’s visit to Cornelius.

• Barnabas – A disciple, “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.”

• Saul – More commonly known as Paul. A disciple living in Tarsus.

• Agabus – A prophet of God. He also appears in Acts 21:10.

WHERE:

• The chapter opens with Peter travelling from Caesarea Maritima to Jerusalem.

• Barnabas worked in the young church at Antioch of Syria.

• Barnabas travelled to Tarsus to find Saul.

• This chapter mentions a severe famine that affected the region of Judea.

OUTLINE:

• PETER EXPLAINS HIS ACTIONS AT CORNELIUS’ HOUSE (11:1-18):

  • After visiting Cornelius’ house (chapter 10), Peter went to Jerusalem.

  • People from the “circumcision party” criticized him for visiting a gentile’s house.

  • Peter recounted the events that led him to meet with Cornelius.

  • He told the Jews about his vision of the animals being lowered from heaven in a great sheet.

  • He told them how the Holy Spirit guided him to Caesarea and gave miraculous gifts to Cornelius’ household.

  • He concluded by saying, “If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way.”

  • When the Jews in Jerusalem heard Peter’s account, they glorified God saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

• THE BIRTH AND GROWTH OF THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH (11:19-26):

  • Due to persecution in Jerusalem, the believers were scattered abroad.

  • Some believers from Cyprus and Cyrene preached to the Hellenists (gentiles) in Antioch and many “turned to the Lord.”

  • Barnabas moved Antioch and began working with the church.

  • A while later, he travelled to Tarsus to find Saul and bring him to assist with the work in Antioch.

  • They worked in Antioch for a year and taught many people.

  • It was in Antioch that the disciples of Jesus were first called “Christians.”

• THE FAMINE (11:27-30):

  • A prophet named Agabus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, foretold a famine that would affect the world during the reign of Emperor Claudius.

  • The disciples collected money to help the saints in Judea.

  • Paul and Barnabas were entrusted to take the collected money to the elders in Judea.  

APPLICATION:

• The Jews were caught off guard when God invited the gentiles to be a part of His Kingdom.

• God doesn’t always work in the ways we expect, so we need to be ready to accept His plan when it’s different from our expectations.

• Be the kind of person who actively recruits good men/women for God’s work.

• There are many talented believers who are just waiting to be told they are useful.

• Barnabas went and found the man he wanted to work alongside him.

• Rather than waiting for people on the sideline to ask for opportunities, let’s be actively scouting for talented people.

• Part of being a mentor and a leader is recognizing unutilized talent.

• Many are willing to work, but just need someone to tell them they are useful.