Year of the Bible

Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 11:

In Chapter 10, Peter and his Jewish peers were led by the Holy Spirit to a more explicit understanding of God’s plan of salvation--that God’s love and desire to save extends to all people, even the Gentiles! However, newness is not always met with praise and we hear that some believers in Jerusalem are upset that Peter and his companions violated Jewish ritual law to extend friendship, and ultimately baptism, to Gentiles (vs. 2-3). Peter responds by explaining what happened (vs. 4-17) which resolves the issue (vs. 18) for the time being. Verse 19 picks up with the story of the Jewish believers, many of whom were Greek-speaking (“Hellenist”) Jews, that were scattered following the martyrdom of Stephen, another Hellenist Jew (9:1-2). God works even in times of trial and uncertainty, and these ordinary believers have been faithful evangelists, announcing the Good News of Jesus first to fellow Jews and then to Gentiles (vs. 19-21). In this glimpse of the early Church, we see the workings of the Church that continue today--believers sharing the Gospel as part of their daily lives and Church leaders guiding and observing with a personal presence (vs. 23-24), forming believers for mission (vs. 25-26), and sharing resources (vs. 28-30).

The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 11:

Peter’s Report to the Church at Jerusalem

1 Now the apostles and the brethren who were in 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, 3 saying, “Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?” 4 But Peter began and explained to them in order: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, something descending, like a great sheet, let down from heaven by 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, ‘No, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ 10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. 11 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 brethren also ac­ companied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 And he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your house­ hold.’ 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 shall 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 withstand God?” 18 When they heard this they were silenced. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance unto life.”

The Church in Antioch

19 Now those who were scat­tered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen trav­eled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great num­ber that believed turned to the Lord. 22 News of this came to the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to An­tioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with stead­ fast purpose; 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the Church, and taught a large com­pany of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians.
27 Now in these days proph­ets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world; and this took place in the days of Claudius. 29 And the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brethren who lived in Judea; 30 and they did so, send­ing it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

*Daily Lectio Divina Question:

"What God has cleansed you must not call common." (v 9) Lord, are there people in my life who are "other" that I need to change my attitude toward? Do I write people off because they are Republican, Democrat, black, white, rich, poor, etc? Help me to see others with your eyes, with your heart.

Revised Standard Version; Second Catholic Edition. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2006).
Permission to use the RSV-2CE given for Bishop's Year of the Bible by Ignatius Press. Many thanks to Ignatius for this.
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