The Gospel of ACT
Now the apostles and the believers who were throughout Judea heard [with astonishment] that the Gentiles also had received and accepted the word of God [the message concerning salvation through Christ].
So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision [certain Jewish believers who followed the Law] took issue with him [for violating Jewish customs],
saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and [even] ate with them!”
But Peter began [at the beginning] and explained [the events] to them step by step, saying,
“I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision of an object coming down from heaven, like a huge sheet being lowered by the four corners; and [it descended until] it came right down to me,
and looking closely at it, I saw all kinds of the four-footed animals of the earth and the wild beasts and the crawling creatures and the birds of the air [both clean and unclean according to the Law],
and I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’
But I said, ‘Not at all, Lord; for nothing common (unholy) or [ceremonially] unclean has ever entered my mouth.’
But the voice from heaven answered a second time, ‘What God has cleansed and pronounced clean, no longer consider common (unholy).’
This happened three times, and everything was drawn up again into heaven.
And right then the three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea arrived at the house where we were staying.
The Spirit told me to go with them without the slightest hesitation. So these six brothers also went with me and we went to the man’s house.
And Cornelius told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, saying, ‘Send word to Joppa and have Simon, who is also called Peter, brought here;
he will bring a message to you by which you will be saved [and granted eternal life], you and all your household.’
When I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as He did on us at the beginning [at Pentecost].
Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
So, if God gave Gentiles the same gift [equally] as He gave us after we accepted and believed and trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ [as Savior], who was I to interfere or stand in God’s way?”
When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified and praised God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance that leads to eternal life [that is, real life after earthly death].”
So then [since they were unaware of these developments] those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with [the stoning of] Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, without telling the message [of salvation through Christ] to anyone except Jews.
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, proclaiming [to them] the good news about the Lord Jesus.
And the hand (the power and presence) of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord [for salvation, accepting and drawing near to Jesus as Messiah and Savior].
The news of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God [that was bestowed on them], he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with an unwavering heart to stay true and devoted to the Lord.
For Barnabas was a good man [privately and publicly—his godly character benefited both himself and others] and he was full of the Holy Spirit and full of faith [in Jesus the Messiah, through whom believers have everlasting life]. And a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
And Barnabas left for Tarsus to search for Saul;
and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. For an entire year they met [with others] in the church and instructed large numbers; and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
One of them named Agabus stood up and prophesied through the [Holy] Spirit that a severe famine would come on the entire world. And this did happen during the reign of Claudius.
So the disciples decided to send a contribution, each according to his individual ability, to the believers who lived in Judea.
And this they did, sending the contribution to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
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Content source: Amplified version of the Holy Bible by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631
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This characterization of Barnabas is amazing. His private life was in consonance with his public depositions. This can only be connected to infilling of the Holy Spirit in him. This was enough reasons to draw many to the believing in Christ Jesus.
This is why God said in 2 Corinthians 3: 2:
We ought to be conscious of this fact that people area reading us to see the live of Christ in us.
God help us.
Our life must always be in holiness and be a living testimony that Christ lives in us, in this way we can reflect the love of Christ to those around us and thus they will be interested in the ways of the Lord, as happened with Barnabas.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost had become a model for the reception of the Spirit from that day forward. The baptism in the Spirit would be verified through the visible transformation of a person, the infusion of joy, the speech inspired by the Spirit and the courage to testify.
What a great display and show of love. Let's learn to love each other especially does in the household of faith. God bless us all!!!
Thank you for this refreshment from the word of God. I pray God to give understand to everyone who comes across this publication.
Do what is within your ability, as much as it the will of God, you will by all means rewarded.
See vs 24
Lets check this man's personal cv
This meant that
What was the result?
Questions we need to look at?
Be the Jesus that people would see and come to Him
God help us all
In this chapter Peter defended his ministry and the gospel advanced to Antioch. Pedro recounted the facts related to the conversion of non-Jews in the house of Cornelius. The news that non-Jews had received the Word of God did not seem to cause much joy in the church in Jerusalem. The good thing about Pedro was that he did not react in the 'meat'. He did not bother to be questioned. He understood how difficult it was for some people to accept what he had done. He himself had struggled with himself before going to the house of Cornelius (see Acts 10:28). So he understood well the observation that these brothers were doing to him, and he responded in a good way.
REFLECTION: How do we handle personal questions and criticisms? How important it is to remain calm, reflect on what they are saying, and respond with kindness. What a good example Pedro gives us!
Instead of reacting carnally, Pedro (with much patience and love) began to explain to them in detail how he arrived at the house of Cornelius, and what happened there (v.4). His explanation indicates that the report that reached Jerusalem was not complete, but distorted (which often happens with gossip!) God help us to follow Peter's model.
Yes Ma, I see a great virtue of accountability in the life of Peter. He didn't play the "big man" who saw the vision, yet, took the pains to keep everyone updated to the same pace with him. He is indeed a stone just as Christ prayed for him.
By prophesy, the famine that was to wreck the world was made to the church. But, the church didn't stop at receiving the prophesy. They spurned to action to provide for believers in Judea.
It is my prayer that the church returns to this landmark of not only interceding for the body of Christ, but also to act in accordance to word received.