Acts 11:1-18 | "Power in Silence"

Public Reading of Scripture

Acts 11:1–18 ESV

1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began and explained it to them in order: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. 6 Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ 10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. 11 And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. 12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 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?” 18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

[A prayer of Psalm 25:4-5 for the congregation:]

Make [us] to know your ways, O LORD; teach [us] your paths. Lead [us] in your truth and teach [us], for you are the God of [our] salvation; for you [we] wait all the day long.

Grant that with our eyes we might see, that with our ears we might hear, and that with our hearts we might obey your Word and your Ways. We ask this in the authority and power of the name of Jesus, and by Your Holy Spirit, Amen.

Introduction to Theme

God’s thoughts are not our thoughts.

God’s ways are not our ways.

God’s ways are higher than our ways.

God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts.

(Isaiah 55:89)

We can either humble ourselves before the Lord, trusting His thoughts and His ways, AND (here’s the key…) we can follow Him!

— or —

We can allow that ancient sin of pride to take control, to harden our hearts to the winds of God’s changing work,

and we can deceive ourselves into thinking that we have it all figured out, and that we know better than God —

and we may in reality find ourselves in a position where we may hinder (or prevent) God from working!

God’s work cannot be hindered, but we can hinder God’s working through us. And if we prevent the work God wants to do in us, God will do His work in someone else!

When God reveals what he wants to do, we must decide — will we follow him? Or stand in his way? Will we be known as ambassadors of His Kingdom, or obstacles?

Introduction to Text

Hear again what Peter said in verse 17:

Acts 11:17 ESV

17 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?”

Literally: “Who was I to hinder (or prevent) God?”

Peter doesn’t step aside and move out of God’s way. Peter gets on board! And he follows the leading of God, even into something new and previously unknown.

With these words, Peter concludes his defense of the activities that took place in Acts 10.

But what is he defending? What had he done? Or better yet — as we’ve come to learn in the book of Acts — what had God done?

I. Acts 11:1

Acts 11:1 ESV

1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.

You might circle that phrase “Gentiles also” because it is found again at the end of this passage in verse 18. It bookends the point of this passage.

“Gentiles” is the word ἔθνος — the nations — pagans — a way to describe those who believe in other gods.

The Gentiles also had now heard the word of the one and only God, just as the Samaritans had done according to Acts 8:14, and not only did they hear, but they received (or accepted) it!

The word “received (accepted)” is the same word used of the Thessalonians later in 1 Thessalonians 2:13 that says they heard the word of God and accepted it not as the word of men but as it truly is, the word of God which is at work in you who believe.

This was a praise! This was God’s doing! This was what Jesus said would happen, when he said “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the end of the earth”! And it is happening!

But the church in Jerusalem had a problem they were uncomfortable with.

The problem was not that the word of God was accepted by the Gentiles, but what made them uncomfortable was that in order to allow the word of God to work unhindered, as the word had worked in them, the living out of that word would now have to cross the cultural divide.

It would require “breaking bread in their homes” too (Acts 2:46).

Christianity was becoming what it always was — multi-ethnic!

God was setting in motion the seeds that would germinate and produce the scene of Revelation 7:9 when a great multitude that cannot be numbered will be witnessed standing before the throne and before the Lamb from all nations, tribes, and peoples and languages (Rev 7:9).

It is a beautiful scene, but do realize that scene doesn’t materialize on its own out of thin air. God uses His Church to bring that unity of worship, by a diversity of cultures about through the Gospel witness of His Church. We have a part in that.

It is a direct result of God’s working a salvation for all people, through the death of Jesus for all, and a Church that takes the gospel and welcomes into the fellowship — ALL in Jesus.

The idea of being a “Jewish-Christian” or a “Gentile-Christian” was going away.

Those of “The Way” would soon only be known as “Christians.”

Acts 11:36 (ESV)

“…And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”

This is what this is leading up to! A new name. Not Hellenists, proselytes, or Jews — but Christians — brought together and known as one in the Lord.

And this required a work of God! This would disrupt the habits, teachings, and traditions of the Jews — God’s chosen people for thousands of years!

In their minds, it must be the case that any who would come to Jesus must also become a Jew and follow the traditions of the Jews in order to be a Christian. But God makes no such requirement for His salvation.

II. Acts 11:2-3

Acts 11:2 ESV

2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying,

Instead of celebration, there is criticism.

“Those of the circumcision” had a problem with what Peter had done.

Circumcision was a physical sign of the covenant God had made with Abraham and his offspring. Circumcision was a definite mark of being a Jew. Circumcision gives us a clue as to why there was criticism.

Verse 3 says that those of the circumcision, Jews, criticized Peter saying:

Acts 11:3 ESV

3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

Peter associated closely with people that were different than him.

In the events that had transpired, even Peter did not know what to do with this!

Peter had said to these uncircumcised men upon meeting them:

Acts 10:28 ESV

28 … “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.

Those who criticized Peter did not see what Peter had seen. They had not seen what God had shown him or all that God had done in his positioning and timing. These criticizers only heard in part, so they were quick to form a judgment.

If you had not read Chapter 10, which details how God worked to bring salvation in Jesus to a Gentile named Cornelius and his household, you too would have questions. You too, may be quick to criticize.

Very applicable in our day is the way in which we receive news. We only know what we hear, and what we hear is only as good as the source we are hearing. And that source can have firsthand knowledge, or second-hand knowledge, or even no knowledge of what actually took place! And by this method of receiving information, we form our judgments and take our sides.

Christians should be, as James 1:19-20 says,

James 1:19-20 (ESV)

“quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

The circumcision party was upset that Peter ate with the Gentiles.

The word “ate” in verse 3 — the charge against Peter — is not just the word “to eat”, but it is the word “to eat with.” “To eat together with.”

Peter was not just a guest in a Gentile’s home, but he ate with them! He broke bread together with them! He enjoyed close fellowship with them…

And the food Peter would have eaten, would have been the Gentile’s own food — which was likely unclean too!

Already Peter had stayed at the home of Simon a Tanner (Acts 9:43), an occupation that was ceremonially unclean according to Jewish law because tanners handled dead animals, and it was there where Peter was found by men from Cornelius’ house —- and now he’s eating with and associating with these uncircumcised Gentiles!

One thing leads to another, and it sure appears as if Peter’s theology and practice is drifting loose!

Rick Warren, the pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and a best selling author, has experienced a large amount of criticism in his ministry. Criticism can come from outside the Church or inside the Church.

(Notice that the criticism Peter encounters is from his own brothers in the faith.)

I heard Rick Warren address how he handles criticism. He said, as a matter of practice, he never criticizes what God is blessing.

In other words, he’s not going to stand in the way of God when God is moving by criticizing others, and he takes comfort that if he is being criticized because God is blessing, then he will continue to trust in God and press on!

God positioned Peter and instructed him not to show distinction (not to discriminate against) these Gentiles. But now Peter is on the receiving end of discrimination, because the circumcision party is doing

to him exactly what the Spirit of God commanded Peter not to do to the Gentiles. (GCM)

III. Acts 11:4-17

Acts 11:4 ESV

4 But Peter began and explained it to them in order:

He gave them the full story. He presented his defense with evidence — “point by point” (NET).

That word “in order” is the same word Luke uses to describe his own writing of Luke and Acts of all Jesus began to do and teach—an orderly account.

Criticism is often unnecessary once the full story is known. So Peter explains…

Acts 11:5 ESV

5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me.

Notice yet again that this vision from heaven occurs while Peter is praying. Luke often records God’s actions during times of prayer.

If anyone desires to see a move of God, then pray. . .

During Peter’s prayer he saw in a “trance” a vision. That word for “trance” is the word ἔκστασις. This is a supernatural vision. But it is not imagined. Peter repeats what happened almost word for word (NET).

Acts 11:6–8 ESV

6 Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

The animals in the sheet included animals the Jewish customs and laws prohibited Jews from eating, because they were unclean, polluted, or worshiped by other nations.

But these animals were animals that Gentiles would eat. And to maintain these food restrictions in the new covenant would serve to support a barrier to all people worshiping (see Keener, Acts, 1768).

Acts 11:9 ESV

9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’

God was the one that gave Moses a law for the people concerning what they could and could not eat — what animals were clean and unclean.

Did God change? (There is a holy tension with God, in that God Himself does not change, but God specializes in a changing work).

If you remember back to Noah’s ark, even on the ark there were representatives of both clean and unclean animals. Why did God not let the “unclean” animals perish in the flood? Why did he preserve them on the ark?

According to the voice from heaven in Acts 11:9, God has not changed — God has cleansed. God has made these previously unclean animals clean.

How did God make what is unclean clean? Through the person and work of Jesus.

“What God has made clean, do not call common.” Jesus has ushered in a new covenant.

The Lord is not answering Peter only about animals. This statement from the Lord is about the Gentiles — “What God cleanses, do not call common.” God will cleanse the nations too. This is the message for Peter, and this is the explanation of the vision!

Acts 11:10 ESV

10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven.

Three times is a way of adding emphasis. As if putting an exclamation mark on what is being said!

Acts 11:11–12 ESV

11 And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. 12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house.

Here is another record of the Spirit speaking. “Go with them — making no distinction.” “Do not call these men common.”

Biblical law required confirmation from 2-3 witnesses (Keener, Acts, 1824). Peter had with him six — to show us that what happened is true.

Acts 11:13–14 ESV

13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’

What is the message by which we are saved? The gospel. The good news about Jesus taking the wrath of God in our place, dying for our sin on a cross, being buried — but God raising Him from the dead so that all who confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in their heart that God raised him from the dead, will be saved.

Notice that word “be saved.” It is a passive word, meaning I don’t perform the action of saving, but the action is performed by another toward me. God is the one who saves!

And God saves from sin! Paul will show this so clearly in the book of Romans.

Romans 1: Gentiles have sinned. Romans 2: Jews have sinned. Romans 3: ALL have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God…All have need for repentance, regardless of ethnic, religious, or cultural “distinctions.”

Acts 11:15–16 ESV

15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

That word “remembered” is important. God is doing a new work — but it is not a work he didn’t first tell them he would do.

Isaiah 42:6–9 ESV

6 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, 7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. 8 I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. 9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”

God aligns Peter’s memory with God’s word and purpose.

So Peter concludes...

Acts 11:17 ESV

17 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?”

The gift God gave to the Gentiles — Cornelius and his household, is the gift of His Holy Spirit. The gift of Himself. His power and His presence. His equipping for ministry. His resurrection power and salvation.

And the Spirit given to them, is the SAME Spirit given to us.

That word “same” is ἴσος, the word for equal.

God gave an equal gift. . .

Cultural and ethnic distinctions are not valid distinctions within the church of Jesus Christ. Because the SAME, equal Spirit that God gives to you, God gives to me.

Galatians 3:28–29 ESV

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Galatians 5:6 ESV

6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

Galatians 6:15 ESV

15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

Romans 3:30 ESV

30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

1 Corinthians 12:13 ESV

13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

These all reemphasize this point: In Jesus Christ, by faith working in love, we are made a new creation, to drink of one Spirit.

And this gift of God may be received by all who confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God has raised him from the dead!

IV. Acts 11:18

Acts 11:18 ESV

18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

Those who were criticizing now become silent. They cease their criticizing and get on board with the work God is doing! And they glorify God.

Because… “to the Gentiles ALSO God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

Repentance is not a work you can perform apart from God. Repentance, or turning from sin, is a work that God empowers you to do by His Holy Spirit and a new life in Jesus.

Conclusion

Peter never answers the criticism of the circumcision party. He doesn’t mention in his defense his eating together with the Gentiles. Instead, he points their attention on the work of God — God’s saving work — and says “I’m not standing in God’s way!”

“I’m not going to put up barriers that the Lord has removed.”

Peter will later fail in this regard. Galatians 2 will tell of Peter eating with Gentiles, then separating himself when the circumcision party showed up.

Paul will rebuke Peter because his conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel. This is not an overnight change in Peter, but it is an ongoing work.

One that finds completion when Peter will eventually write these words:

2 Peter 1:1 ESV

1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

…and he will say...

2 Peter 3:8–9 ESV

8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

That the Gentiles would repent and receive the Gospel of salvation was God’s plan all along. It was part of God’s thoughts, and God’s ways.

The Jews thought the Gentiles had to become Jews in order to be Christians.

But the message of this text is that God does not erect barriers, God breaks them down in Jesus.

The distinction is no longer Jewish or Gentile. The new covenant, the new distinction, is “in Jesus” or “not.” It is “faith” or not. It is “new creation” or not. The rest of the distinctions, the Lord removes.

We can either humble ourselves before the Lord, trusting His thoughts and His ways, AND follow Him! Or, we can stand in God’s way.

We can become known as ambassadors of His Kingdom, or we can becoming stumbling blocks and obstacles?

Peter doesn’t step aside and move out of God’s way. Peter gets on board! And he follows the leading of God, even into something new and previously unknown to him.