Atos 11

Atos 11

Chart from Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission THE EXPANDING WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT-EMPOWERED CHURCH Acts 11:1 Now the apostles and the brethren who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. KJV Acts 11:1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. the apostles Acts 8:14,15; Galatians 1:17-22 the Gentiles Acts 10:34-38; 14:27; 15:3; Genesis 49:10; Ps 22:27; 96:1-10; Isaiah 11:10; 32:15; Isaiah 35:1,2; 42:1,6; 49:6; 52:10; 60:3; 62:2; Jeremiah 16:19; Hosea 2:23; Amos 9:11,12; Micah 5:7; Zephaniah 2:11; 3:9; Zechariah 2:11; 8:20-23; Malachi 1:11; Matthew 8:11; Mark 16:5; Luke 2:32; Romans 15:7-12 JEWS RECEIVE WORD THAT GENTILES WELCOME "THE WORD" This chapter divides into three sections: Acts 11:1-18 - Peter's Report to Jerusalem Church - He Justifies His Conduct and defends God's grace Acts 11:19-26 - Foundation of Church at Antioch - Barnabas and Saul begin mission to the Greeks Acts 11:27-30 - Famine Relief at Judea - Barnabas and Saul Depart Warren Wiersbe divides this chapter by looking at three responses of the Jewish believers to the Gentile Christians, which should help us better understand how today ought to relate to one another: Acts 11:1-18 They Accepted the Gentiles Acts 11:19–26 They Encouraged the Gentiles Acts 11:27–30 They Received Help from the Gentiles TIME APPROXIMATION - When do the events in Acts occur in relation to the preceding events? There are a number of resources that give dates of the historical events in Acts, but the reader should understand that they are all approximations. One problem is that there is even disagreement on the date of Jesus crucifixion and resurrection, some sources saying A.D. 33 and others A.D. 30. That said, the dates listed are simply to give you a sense of the span of time of the historical events in the Book of Acts. Thus Pentecost would be 30-33, Stephen's stoning 31-33, Paul converted 33-34, Paul's meeting with Peter in Jerusalem 36-37, Paul ministers in Syria/Cilicia 37-45, Peter's witness to Cornelius 38. Thus the events in Acts 10 occur from 5-10 years after the Church is born in Acts 2. ESV Timeline - below is an excerpt from the larger chart. 33 (or 30) Jesus returns to Judea, is crucified, and resurrected. James the brother of Jesus becomes a believer after witnessing the resurrected Jesus (1 Cor. 15:7; Acts 12:17). Jesus ascends to the Father’s right hand (Acts 1). Jesus’ first followers receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and begin to proclaim the gospel (Acts 2). 33/34* Paul witnesses the resurrected Lord on the way to Damascus and is commissioned as an apostle to the nations (Acts 9; Gal. 1:15–16). 34–37 Paul ministers in Damascus and Arabia (Acts 9:19–22; 26:20; Gal. 1:16–18). 36 Pilate loses his position for incompetence. 36/37* Paul meets with Peter in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26–30; Gal. 1:18). 37–45 Paul ministers in Syria, Tarsus, and Cilicia (Acts 9:30; Gal. 1:21). 38* Peter witnesses to Cornelius (Acts 10). 42–44 Paul receives his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7). * The Asterisk indicates approximation. / The slash mark indicates "either/or" Biblehub Timeline Book of Acts Story and Structure BlueLetterBible Timeline - see excerpt below Event Reference Year (AD) Descent of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:1-13 30 Setting Up of the Church Acts 2:40-47 30 First Persecutions (Illustration) Acts 4:1-22; 5:21-42; 7:1-60 35 Philip at Samaria Acts 8:4-13 35 Conversion of Saul (Illustration) Acts 9:1-9 36 First Gentile Converted Acts 10:1-48 40 Founding of Church at Antioch Acts 11:19-30 43 Writing of Matthew's Gospel Matthew 43 TIMELINE FROM WIL POUNDS EVENT IN ACTS CHAPTER AD EVENT IN HISTORY Conversion of Paul (c. 33–36 AD) 9 33 Paul in Cilicia & Syria - 35 Paul's Visit to Jerusalem 9:26–30 - 37 Caligula Gaius Augustus Emperor of Rome 37–41 39 Herod Antipas exiled to Gaul Conversion of Cornelius 10 40 - 41 Claudius Emperor of Rome 41–54 44 Martyrdom of James; Death of Herod Agrippa Paul's Second Jerusalem Visit 12 46 Below is another Basic Acts Timeline (Ben Witherington - The Acts of the Apostles) A.D. 30—Jesus is crucified under Pontius Pilate. Resurrection appearances, Pentecost, initial growth of the church in and around Jerusalem. A.D. 31–33—The events of Acts 3–7 transpire with mounting concern on the part of Jews and especially the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem. The rising tension results in vigilante action taken against Stephen, and then an authorized effort under Saul to disrupt and even destroy this new messianic sect, involving persecution and even the death of some Christians (cf. Acts 8:1–3 to Gal. 1:13). The persecution led various Christians such as Philip to go elsewhere, such as Samaria, and bear witness (Acts 8:4–40). THE FIRST EIGHT CHAPTERS OF ACTS COVER ONLY THE PERIOD FROM ABOUT 30 TO 33. A.D. 33 or 34—Saul is converted on the road to Damascus during his period of persecuting the church (Acts 9; Galatians 1). A.D. 34–37 or 38—Saul is in Damascus and Arabia; he returns to Jerusalem for the first time as a Christian in 37. A.D. 37–46—Saul sent off to Tarsus and home region. In the meantime, Peter has a notable ministry up and down the Mediterranean coast between Lydda, Joppa, and Caesarea, involving at least one notable Gentile and his family. This, in turn, leads to a report to the Jerusalem church (Acts 11). The precise timing is unknown. A.D. 43—James (brother of John) is killed, and Peter is imprisoned. A.D. 44—Agabus’ prophecy in Antioch; Herod Agrippa dies. NOTE THAT LUKE’S DATA FOR THE PERIOD A.D. 37–46 ARE CLEARLY SKETCHY. HE IS BETTER INFORMED ABOUT THE PERIOD AFTER THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL (49), IN PARTICULAR ABOUT THE PAULINE PART OF THE STORY. A.D. 46–48—famine in Judea. A.D. 48—Second visit by Paul to Jerusalem (with Barnabas, cf. Galatians 2) for famine relief to Jerusalem (Acts 11:29–30). A.D. 49—Claudius expels Jews from Rome; Priscilla and Aquila go to Corinth; Jerusalem council (Acts 15). A.D. 50–52—Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 15:36–18:23). A.D. 51 or 52—The Gallio incident in Corinth (Acts 18). A.D. 53–57—Paul’s third missionary journey (Acts 18:23–21:26). A.D. 57–59—Paul in custody under Felix, and then briefly under Festus. A.D. 59–60—Paul goes to Rome (for a fuller discussion of the Pauline material for the period from 48 to 50, see below). A.D. 60–62—Paul under house arrest in Rome. Acts 11 could be aptly entitled "From Jerusalem to Antioch" as we begin to see the Gospel ripple out "to the remotest part of the earth." (Acts 1:8+). It is significant that Acts 11:1-18 is the third version of the story of Peter's preaching to the Gentiles in Caesarea (twice in Acts 10, once briefly by Cornelius). Clearly the Holy Spirit wants the reader to grasp the great significance of the events in this section. James Montgomery