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John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 11:1-30

The First Gentile Church1-18. The baptism of Cornelius discussed and approved at Jerusalem. Those Christians who maintained the need of observing the Ceremonial Law did not attack the baptism itself because, although they disliked it, our Lord’s command to baptise all nations was too definite to be questioned. They attacked, therefore, St. Peter’s undoubted breach of Jewish law and custom: ’Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them’ (Acts 11:3). What they apparently desired... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Acts 11:2

(2) They that were of the circumcision contended with him.—The conversion of the Gentiles at Cæsarea had given a new significance to the name of “those of the circumcision.” From this time forth they are a distinct section, often a distinct party, in the Church, and here we have the first symptom of the line which they were about to take. They contended with Peter (the tense implies continuous or repeated discussion) because he had eaten with those who were uncircumcised, and therefore, from... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Acts 11:1-30

St. Barnabas' Exhortation Acts 11:22-23 A very great work had been going on in Antioch. There had been many signal conversions. It was after this 'Mission' and these conversions that Barnabas, an older minister, came to Antioch. I. What St. Barnabas Saw. He saw the real, secret spring, the very essence of it all. 'He saw the grace of God,' the free workings of God's own love, the decrees of God's sovereignty, the acting of God's omnipotence. 'And he was glad.' 'Glad' not only and so much... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Acts 11:1-30

CHAPTER 11 1. Peter’s Defense in Jerusalem (Acts 11:1-18 ). 2. The Beginning of the Church in Antioch (Acts 11:19-21 ). 3. Barnabas sent to Antioch (Acts 11:22-26 ). 4. The Prophecy of Agabus (Acts 11:27-30 ). Peter silenced the objections of his brethren in Jerusalem by a rehearsal of his experience. Acts 11:19 connects with Acts 8:4 . Antioch comes now into prominence as the great Gentile center of Christianity. A great number believed and turned unto the Lord. Then Barnabas was sent to... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 11:1-30

News of Peter's carrying the gospel to Gentiles had preceded him to Jerusalem. When he arrived there, therefore, he was faced by those who were specially zealous of the law, and who spoke accusingly of his entering the home of uncircumcised Gentiles and eating with them. This would not surprise him, for his attitude was just the same a short time before. Peter then rehearsed the entire experience to them, and the Spirit of God has seen fit to record this repetition of the matter from beginning... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Acts 11:1-18

DOOR OPENED TO GENTILES The closing of chapter 9 shows Peter on a tour of visitation, and the instrument of two great miracles, it being significant that the greater of the two was in answer to prayer (Acts 9:40 ). Almost all the commentators regard these miracles as having a bearing on the crisis of the church recorded in the next chapter. In that chapter Peter is again to use the “keys,” this time in opening the door of the gospel to the Gentiles. Indeed, since the occupation of a tanner... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Acts 11:1-18

Chapter 29 Prayer Almighty God, our life is thine. When we die in the Lord surely we return unto thee, and give thee that which is thine own. We bless thee for life, notwithstanding its daily burden and its continual sorrow. Thou hast wrought into the mystery of life a subtle joy which fills the heart with an emotion which we would might abide there for ever. In the midst of life we are in death, but death itself is swallowed up in victory. In Christ Jesus we can say to Death, "where is thy... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Acts 11:1-18

And the apostles and brethren that were in Judea 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... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Acts 11:2

Disputed against him. St. Epiphanius makes Cerintbus, who was the next heresiarch to Simon Magus, the author of this dispute. He likewise says it was he, who excited the Jews against St. Paul, (Acts xxi.) and that the first Council of Jerusalem was convened to condemn him. (St. Epiphanius, h'e6res. 28. chap. ii) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Acts 11:1-18

1-18 The imperfect state of human nature strongly appears, when godly persons are displeased even to hear that the word of God has been received, because their own system has not been attended to. And we are too apt to despair of doing good to those who yet, when tried, prove very teachable. It is the bane and damage of the church, to shut out those from it, and from the benefit of the means of grace, who are not in every thing as we are. Peter stated the whole affair. We should at all times... read more

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