Bible Chapter Summary
Acts 11 Summary
Peter's Vision and Gentile Conversion
When the apostles in Jerusalem hear that Gentiles have received God's word, they question Peter's actions. Peter recounts his vision of a sheet containing unclean beasts descending from heaven and God's voice declaring what He has cleansed should not be called common. The Holy Ghost falls on Cornelius and his house as Peter speaks, just as it fell on the apostles at the beginning. The church glorifies God for granting repentance to the Gentiles. Meanwhile, believers scattered by Stephen's persecution travel to Antioch, initially preaching only to Jews, but some from Cyprus and Cyrene speak to Greeks about Jesus. The Lord's hand is upon them, and many believe. Barnabas is sent from Jerusalem, exhorts the church, and departs to find Saul in Tarsus. The two teach in Antioch for a year, and the disciples are first called Christians there.
Key themes
Key verses
Acts 11:9
“But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.”
Acts 11:15
“And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.”
Acts 11:18
“When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”
Acts 11:26
“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.”
Read Acts 11 in full
Study the complete chapter with interlinear Hebrew & Greek, verse-by-verse, in the Gospel Daily reader.
Open the full chapter