1.
And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
Verse 1
The Gentiles; the Roman centurion and his friends.
2.
And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
Verse 2
They that were of the circumcision; the apostles and brethren, who were Jews.
3.
Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
Verse 3
To men uncircumcised; to Gentiles. This complaint shows that the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the apostles and brethren at the day of Pentecost and afterwards, however powerful its influence, was not the means of removing all their erroneous conceptions, or of communicating to them at once even all the fundamental principles of Christian truth. A divine and infallible inspiration can only be claimed for the early Christians as authors,--that is, so far as they were commissioned to write the sacred books of the New Testament for posterity. In their administration of the affairs of the church in their own day, they acted according to their own judgment; and, though they were divinely enlightened and guided in a great degree, still they often erred. We ought to be greatly influenced by their example; but there cannot be claimed for it any absolute divine authority. It is only the Scriptures as writings, which have any claim to be considered as inspired.
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 sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
6.
Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
7.
And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
8.
But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
9.
But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
10.
And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
11.
And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
12.
And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
13.
And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
14.
Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
15.
And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Verse 15
At the beginning; at the day of Pentecost.
16.
Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Verse 16
Acts 1:5.
17.
Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
18.
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
19.
Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
Verse 19
Phenice; Phenicia, a country north of Galilee.--Cyprus; a large island in the Mediterranean.--Antioch; a very wealth and populous city, in Syria, which became, from this time, one of the most important centres of operation occupied by the Christians.
20.
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
Verse 20
Grecians. It is supposed that Gentile Greeks, not Grecian Jews, are meant here, and that this fact is mentioned to show the progress of the new principle in respect to preaching the gospel to the Gentiles.
21.
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
22.
Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
Verse 22
Barnabas. He was originally a Levite of Cyprus. (Acts 4:36.)
23.
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.
24.
For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
25.
Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
Verse 25
To Tarsus; whither Saul had gone, as related in Acts 9:30.
26.
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Verse 26
Called Christians; by their enemies. The sacred writers themselves never employ the term to designate the followers of Christ, excepting that Peter uses it in one instance, in a connection which allows it to be considered a term of reproach. (1 Peter 4:16.)
27.
And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
28.
And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
Verse 28
Claudius Cesar; a Roman emperor.
29.
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
Verse 29
According a to his ability. This expression shows conclusively that there was no community of goods, at least in this branch of the church.
30.
Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Verse 30
Elders; the leading members.