Introductory remarks:
"Peter tells those in Jerusalem everything that happened. They see that God has granted salvation to the Gentiles. They were only preaching to the Jews scattered abroad but now they begin preaching to the Gentiles, and send Barnabas to Antioch. He goes to Tarsus and gets Saul to join him. The Christians in Antioch take up a collection and give it to Barnabas and Saul to take to Jerusalem" (Brenda's Survey of Acts). This chapter may be outlined as follows: Peter's report to the Church at Jerusalem vv. 1-18; the Church at Antioch vv. 19-30.
Peter's Report to the Church at Jerusalem
Verse 1, "And the apostles and brethren that were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God."
LGT "And the apostles heard, and brethren throughout Judea, that also the Gentiles received the Word of God."
This was unacceptable to the Jews who were children of Abraham after the flesh; to these Jews, even though they were Christians, believed the Gentiles were strangers and afar off from the promises given to their Father Abraham; of course they were strictly looking at this whole affair from the human viewpoint; it would take some time before they would accept the fact that all men are spiritual children of Abraham who have accepted Christ as Savior.
Verses 2, 3, "And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them."
LGT "And when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the ones of the circumcision challenged with him, saying, Thou went into uncircumcised men, and did eat with them."
The Judaising faction of the Church at Jerusalem challenged Peter in his decision to go into the Gentiles and eat with them; as was said earlier, the entire church at Jerusalem was made up of Jews; the entire congregation at Jerusalem did not hold to these legalistic claims, only the Judaisers. I am sure that the apostles probably knew better.
Barnes notes:
"This is one of the circumstances which show conclusively that the apostles and early Christians did not regard Peter as having any particular supremacy over the church, or as being in any particular sense the Vicar of Christ upon earth. If he had been regarded as having the authority, which the Roman Catholics claim for him, they would have submitted at once to what he had thought proper to do. But the primitive Christians had no such idea of his authority. This claim for Peter is not only opposed to this place, but to every part of the New Testament."
Verse 4, "But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,"
LGT "But Peter, having begun, he set [it] forth to them in order saying,"
Peter begins at the beginning and tells them of God's dealing with him at Joppa. This experience at Cornelius' house will prove to be a test case for the gospel being given to the Gentiles, and their being added to the Church.
Verse 5, "I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision. A certain vessel descended, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
LGT "I was in [the] city of Joppa praying, and I saw in a trance a vision, a certain vessel like a great sheet by four corners let down out of heaven, and it came even unto me:"
The details of this vision are given in the last chapter with this added detail, even unto me; Peter adds this to assure the people that this instruction was designed especially for him.
Verse 6, "Upon the which when I fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air."
LGT "On which having looked intently I considered, and I saw the quadrupeds of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the creeping things, and the birds of the heaven."
Here Peter adds these details of fastening his eyes on the vision, and that he saw all this in a flash.
Verse 7, "And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat."
LGT "And I heard also a voice saying to me, Arise Peter, kill and eat."
Peter was told to kill and eat what the Jews all considered unclean.
Verse 8, "But I said, Not so Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth."
LGT "But I said, In no way, Lord, because [nothing] common or unclean never came into my mouth."
Peter is letting his fellow apostles know that he was living according to the Jewish laws of social life.
Verse 9, "But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common."
LGT "But a voice answered me the second time out of the heaven, What God cleansed, make thou not common."
This is repeated emphasizing the importance that Peter and his fellows hold not to their prejudices against the Gentiles.
Verse 10, "And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven."
LGT "And this took place three times, and was drawn up again all into the heaven."
This too was repeated that they might see the importance of accepting the Gentiles, for all this came directly from heaven.
Verse 11, "And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me."
LGT "And Lo, at once three men stood at the house in which we were, sent from Caesarea to me."
This was the emissary sent by Cornelius to fetch Peter
Verse 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:"
LGT "And the Spirit said to me to go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also went with me, and we entered in the house of the man."
The term "doubting nothing" makes perfect sense, however, the Greek has it making no distinction, which also makes perfect sense; Peter was instructed by the Spirit to go and forget about any prejudices he might have learned from the rabbis, for the Law of Moses did not prevent a Jew from making contact with a Gentile; these nit-picking rules came from the Pharisees, in order to make works the value and not God's grace. Peter took the same six men who accompanied him to Cornelius' house to Jerusalem with him, in order as his witnesses, and also for their own vindication.
Verse 13, "And he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa and call Simon, whose surname is Peter;"
LGT "And he related to us how he saw [the] angel in his house stand and say, Send [men] to Joppa and fetch Simon, the one surnamed Peter;"
Peter wanted to make sure the other apostles knew that he did not go into Cornelius' house of his own free will, but that he went on God's orders, through an angel.
Verse 14, "Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved."
LGT "Who shall speak words to thee whereby you shall be saved, and all your house."
Clearly Cornelius was unsaved, even though he was a religious man, and worshipped in the same manner as the Jews; even the Jew was unsaved who did not accept Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection that Peter was preaching. Even before Christ died on the cross, the Jew had to believe that Christ was coming and that He would die for their sins; this was all typified by the sacrificial system; their sacrifices were the type, and Christ's finished work on the cross was the anti-type.
Verse 15, "And I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning."
LGT "And in my beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, even as upon us in [the] beginning."
Peter relates that the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius' household after they believed, the same as at Pentecost with the cloven tongues of fire, and their speaking in tongues. "Peter rests his defense, not on what he said, but on what God did" (Furneaux).
Verse 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."
LGT "And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with [the] Holy Spirit."
Peter recalled what the Lord had said in Acts 1:5, and he now realizes that water baptism is strictly symbolic of Spirit baptism; the moment anyone accepts Christ as their Savior, they immediately are baptized with the Holy Spirit, and they are immediately placed in union with the Lord Jesus Christ; we must be very clear on this wonderful truth, because today, now that we have the completed Word of God, we do not have the experience of speaking in tongues; the Word of God is sufficient proof, and we need no outward experience as they did before the Word became available in written form.
Verse 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?"
LGT "If then God gave to them the like gift as also to us, having believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I [to be] able to forbid God."
Peter asks two rhetorical [symbolic] questions here:1) who was I? And 2) was I able to hinder God from His plan of salvation offered to all? These Gentile believers received salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit the same as they had. "The purpose of the tongues was to give evidence to Simon Peter that the Holy Spirit had actually 'fallen on them.' How else would he have known that they had been baptized by the Holy Spirit which placed them in the body of believers?" (McGee)
Verse 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."
LGT "And having heard these things, they were silent, and glorified God saying, Then indeed also to the Gentiles God gave repentance unto life."
All the ones hearing Peter, even the Judaizers had to keep quiet, for it says that they all glorified God. Peter had reluctantly opened the Way for the Gentiles to receive salvation. These that glorified God did so, but they did not think it would be to all Gentiles; they believed this was a special case that Peter had been led. Repentance unto life is simply acknowledging that they were heading in the wrong direction, and now they are saved by the grace of God. Remember, repentance means nothing more than a change of mind, which leads to a change of life; first comes a change of mind, then salvation, and then the new Way of Life, produced by the Holy Spirit.
The Church at Antioch
Verse 19, "Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only."
LGT "They indeed therefore who were scattered by the tribulation that took place upon Stephen, passed through to Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the Word to no one except to Jews only."
Luke returns now to the beginning of the history of the persecution of the church at Stephen's death, and the church being scattered out. At this point in the history of the apostolic Church, Luke confines his history mainly to the apostle Paul.
Matthew Poole notes:
"Stephen's death, and the persecution upon it, was a great means of disseminating the gospel. Thus all things work for good. Phenice; the country about Tyre. Cyprus; an island in the Mediterranean Sea. Antioch; the metropolis of Syria. This explains what was briefly said, chap. 8:4, and showed what places the disciples were scattered into, and preached in. They preached to the Jews only, because they were not yet persuaded of the calling of the Gentiles; God suffering them to be enlightened by degrees."
Verse 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."
LGT "But certain men of them were Cypriots and Cyrenians, who having come into Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, announcing the Glad Tidings of the Lord Jesus."
So far the preaching has been to the Jews only, with the exception of Peter preaching to the household of Cornelius. The Hellenists, remember were Greek speaking Jews, which had been scattered by the invasion of Alexander the Great.
Verse 21, "And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord."
LGT "And [the] hand of [the] Lord was with them, and a great number, having believed, turned to the Lord."
The phrase the hand of the Lord was with them means that the Lord Jesus Christ approved of their ministry; the message of the grace of the Lord was preached and many believed and turned to the Lord, that is, they repented; the word repent means to change ones mind. The apostles preached Jesus Christ and Christ crucified and many believed, and as Calvin wrote, "For we may plant and water, as Paul teacheth, but the increase cometh from God alone, (1 Cor. 3), in whose hand the hearts of men are, that he may bend and frame the same at His pleasure."
Verse 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."
LGT "And the report was heard in the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem concerning them; and they sent Barnabas [to go through] as far as Antioch."
The church began in Jerusalem and at this time the term "church" gr. ecclesias, was only used there, for it had not yet reached Antioch. They had heard the good report of the conversion of so many Gentiles they sent Barnabas to Antioch; "the choice of Barnabas was eminently wise. He already had a position of leadership in Jerusalem because of his generosity (4:36f.) and his championship of Saul after his conversion (9:27). He was originally from Cyprus and probably had personal friends among some of the leaders in this new movement. He was to investigate the work of the traveling preachers (verse 19) all the way to Antioch" (Robertson).
Verse 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."
LGT "Who, having come and having seen the grace [which was] of God, rejoiced and encouraged all with purpose of heart to abide with the Lord."
When Barnabas had seen the grace of God at work in the hearts of these converts in Antioch he was filled with gladness, for grace brings about gladness in the heart; Barnabas encourages these people to abide in the Lord, that is, to remain in the Word that they have received, and that he would teach them even more doctrine. Bible doctrine is the only thing that can possibly bring about stability, and stability is what these believers in Antioch needed, for Antioch was a very sinfully carnal city. The most important doctrine that any new convert can learn is to have purpose of heart. I have experienced in my days of "church going" that whenever a new convert was discovered, the "pastor" or some well meaning officer in the church would attempt to get that person involved in "working for the Lord." I have even witnessed new converts becoming deacons, and trustees, and even more important, Sunday School Teachers. This strategy, as well intentioned as it was, needless to say, had disastrous results; imagine placing a novice in such a position. Barnabas had the right plan; he taught them doctrine that would make them stable, and then encouraged them to study the Word of God they had, and I am sure that he taught them things that Paul and Peter and John, and the other apostles would give, and that they would someday have a Bible to depend on. Remember, Barnabas was endowed with Spiritual gifts, supernaturally bestowed on him by the Holy Spirit, and he taught them doctrine they had not yet received.
Verse 24, "For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and faith: and much people was added unto the Lord."
LGT "For he was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And a large crowd was added to the Lord."
The "church" is the body of Christ and the bride of Christ, and it was growing rapidly in this first century; Barnabas was teaching Bible doctrine and the body of Christ was growing daily. Robertson says, "these people were added to the Lord before they were added to the church." This is a ridiculous statement, I hate to say, as much as I love Robertson, but to be added to the Lord is the same thing as added to the church; you see, in Robertson's eyes the church was an organization, and according to the teachings of both Barnabas and Paul the church is an organism, that is, each individual member of the body of Christ, is a life giving member, filled with the Holy Spirit the moment they believed on Christ; how long one remains filled is a matter of individual choice. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is entirely another thing; to be baptized is strictly a work of God and cannot be improved upon nor refused, for it is strictly a positional truth. We really need to get away from the concept that that white building down the street with a spire and a cross on top of it is the church. We are all the church, and the sooner we get that into our lives the sooner we will grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ; for we will no longer look upon the pastor as someone who is able to lead us; we have one leader, the Lord Jesus Christ of the Word of God; He is the only celebrity of the universe, and we should not look to man for a hero to worship.
Verse 25, "Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:"
LGT "And Barnabas went forth to Tarsus to seek Saul:"
Barnabas knew that Saul was a man of choice to teach doctrine to the church, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Peter has always been known as the apostle to the Jews and Paul to the Gentiles. Barnabas introduced Saul to the apostles (9:27) and he knew they could work well together in Antioch, for they became very good friends in the Lord.
Verse 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."
LGT "And having found [him], he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass even for a whole year, they were gathered together in the assembly, and taught a large crowd, and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch."
Saul, Barnabas, and the believers in Antioch assembled a whole year being taught by these two God ordained men of God. The disciples were first called Christians, which simply mean a follower of Christ, in Antioch. The church at Antioch has a wonderful history; Ignasius, who was later fed to the lions, was the one who started the great conservative seminary there, which used the historical, grammatical, literal interpretation of the Scriptures, and is still in use in any seminary worth its purpose; John Chrysostom also preached his sermons there. On the flip side, the seminary in Alexandria, of which Origen is noted for starting, used the allegorical method of interpretation, which was later used by Augustine, the noted stalwart theologian for the Roman Catholic Church; this method of interpretation leaves room for any and all sorts of twisting of the Word to mean whatever one wants it to say, and most dangerous of all is that it lends itself to all types of weird superstition, which the Church of Rome is so noted.
I love the word ecclesias, which is Greek for called out ones. Saul and Barnabas met with the assembly of Christians wherever was convenient, and the stress is never on an organization. "There is no instance in the New Testament where the word church refers to the edifice in which the congregation worships. It evidently here means that Barnabas and Saul convened with the Christian assembly at proper times, through the space of a year, for the purpose of public worship" (Barnes).
Verse 27, "And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch."
LGT "And in these days came down from Jerusalem prophets to Antioch."
These were Christians with the gift of prophecy; the apostle John was a prophet, as well as Silas and Judas (14:4; 15:32). The New Testament prophet not only foretold the future, but they also sounded forth the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 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."
LGT "And one, having risen up from among them, Agabus by name, he signified by the Spirit a great famine is about to be over the whole habitable land, which came to pass under Claudius."
Claudius Caesar was Roman Emperor from A.D. 41-44. Josephus seemed to restrict the famine to Palestine. Agabus predicted this famine by the Holy Spirit, for no others but God can predict future events (Isa. 41:23,24). "God's omniscience is exerted for the church's preservation" (Poole). "Suetonius also makes mention of this famine, who saith that there were crusts or shards [debris] thrown at Claudius' head in the midst of the market, and that he was so sore afraid of stoning, that he had a singular care afterward, during his whole life, to make provision for victual. And Josephus, in his fifteenth Book of Antiquity, saith, that Judea was sore oppressed with scarcity, by reason of continual drought" (Calvin).
Verse 29, "Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea."
LGT "And the disciples, according as any one prospered, determined each of them, for assistance to send to the brethren dwelling in Judea:"
Agabus' prediction spurred the brethren to send the collection on ahead of the famine, which took place in A.D. 45. Each one determined to send help as God had prospered them. All Christian giving should be after this model; we should give enthusiastically to help our brothers and sisters, without complaint, that is, give hilariously.
Verse 30, "Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul."
LGT "Which also they did, sending [it] to the elders by [the] hand of Barnabas and Saul."
"The incident that is recorded here is also verified in secular history. There was a general famine, but the effect was especially felt in Jerusalem where the church had been persecuted, decimated, and hurt. They were in dire need during this time. It is wonderful to see the fraternal spirit, the bond of love that held the early church together. The other believers sent help to the church in Jerusalem.
We remember that Saul had been one of those who had wasted the church in Jerusalem by his relentless persecution of them. How wonderful to see by his own hands a transformed Saul now brings relief to that same church. That is Christianity in shoe leather, my friend. That is the way it ought to be" (McGee).
Share freely but cite the source: http://bbbiblehelps.epizy.com