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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

CHAPTER ELEVEN:
PETER’S REPORT AND THE FIRST “CHRISTIANS”

[“The First Christians”]
Key word: Antioch

Acts 11:1-3 – Peter Accused by the “Circumcision”

AC11:1 Now the apostles and the brothers, as well as all those throughout Judea, heard that also the non-Jews received God’s Word. 442

442

Heard that also the non-Jews received God’s Word: Or, welcomed, accepted. News spreads fast in a small community of people. Before 36 AD only Jews were received into the Church. A group of people who feel themselves solely unique are reticent to accept others as possessed of God’s Truth. The schism between Jew and non-Jew was enormous, largely because of the Jewish attitude toward other peoples. They were probably as racist, or ethnically prejudiced as any group of people. 1,500 years of God’s sole dealings with the Jews, put them in an isolationist frame of mind. For seven years since the baptism of Christ, only Jews were within the preaching territory of the first disciples. This gives a little background to what is now to develop within the Church.

AC11:2 However, when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those of the Circumcision 443 began taking issue with him, 444

443

Those of the Circumcision: Or, TCN: the converts who held to circumcision; MOF: the circumcision party; GDS: advocates of circumcision; WMS: champions of; BER: insisting on; RIE: stricter Jews. This would have included the large majority of Jewish disciples, including the apostles. The first, and longest lasting schism in the Church was “the Circumcision.” It continues to this day as a minor division. It should be kept in mind that though “the Circumcision” is spoken of negatively, there is a true spiritual “circumcision” represented by those who adhere to faith and love. [Compare notes on Romans 2:28, 29; 3:1; Galatians 2:7; 3:29; Philippians 3:3; Colossians 2:11; Titus 1:10] For more details on the subject see the Biblical Article Jehovah is our Lawgiver in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.

444	Taking issue with him: Or, contend, find fault, attacked, dispute, charged, criticized. For this reason Peter later behaves hypocritically and is rebuked by Paul. [Galatians 2:11-14]

AC11:3 saying: “You entered the [house] of uncircumcised men! You ate with them!” 445

445	You ate with them: One now understands the degree of hatred and division between the Jew and the non-Jew, even among Christians. The absolute height of self-righteousness manifests itself when one people will not eat with another.

Acts 11:4-12 – Peter Reports His Vision

AC11:4 Then Peter began to set them straight 446 and explain, saying:

446	Set them straight: Or, in order, orderly account, consecutive order.

AC11:5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying and in a trance I saw a vision. [It was] a certain object like a large linen cloth being lowered from heaven by its four corners. And it came up to me. AC11:6 I gazed into this and paid close attention. I saw four-footed animals of the earth, as well as beasts, reptiles, and birds of the sky. AC11:7 Then I also heard a Voice saying: ‘Rise, Peter, kill and eat.’ AC11:8 But, I said: ‘Never, YHWH, 447 because what is common or unclean has never entered my stomach!’

447	YHWH: Or, Lord, Master. Judging from the context it seems more likely Peter is speaking to the angelic representative of YHWH, just as Moses and others did.

AC11:9 The second time the Voice answered from heaven: ‘Do not declare unclean what The God has made clean!’ AC11:10 Now this happened three times and then it was pulled up again into heaven. AC11:11 And, look, at once three men stood at the house where I was staying. These had been sent to me from Caesarea. AC11:12 Now the Pneuma told me to accompany them without doubting. Also, six of these brothers 448 went and we entered into the house of the man.”

448	Six of these brothers: Or, these six brothers. Whether Peter means six of those who went with him, or the total number, is not clear. What it does indicate is that there were six Jewish disciples who witnessed the event. If Peter is guilty of entering a non-Jewish home, so were these six.

Acts 11:13-18 – Peter’s Experience with the Non-Jews

AC11:13 “[Next] this man reported to us how he saw the angel standing before him in his own house, telling him to send to Joppa and summon Simon Peter. AC11:14 [He] will speak words to you by which you and all your house will be saved. AC11:15 Now as I began to speak the holy Pneuma fell upon them just as it did on us [Jews] in the beginning. AC11:16 And then I remembered the word of the Master, 449 how we said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with holy Pneuma.’

449	The word of the Master: The recorded statement is generally attributed to John the Baptist, though it is possibly the Nazarene repeats something similar. Compare Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33.

AC11:17 So, if the same gift The God gave to them just as to us also – they having believed on the Master Jesus Christ – who was able to hinder The God? AC11:18 Now hearing all of is [these six Jews] remained silent and glorified The God, saying: ‘Now the non-Jews also have repented and [have been] given Life!’” 450

450	Have been given Life: Or, repentance unto life, leads to life, repent and live, hope of life, have life, life-giving repentance.

Acts 11:19-21 – Preaching to Jews and Non-Jews

AC11:19 Now those [Jewish disciples] who had been scattered, because of the oppression 451 over what happened to Stephen, went to Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, 452 speaking the Word only to Jews. 453

451	Because of the oppression: See Acts 8:1.

452	Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch: Phoenicia is essentially Palestine and Lebanon today. Cyprus is an island off of Tarsus. Antioch, so named after 301 BC, was in Syria [or, Turkey] slightly south of Tarsus and about 400 miles north of Jerusalem.

453	Speaking the Word only to Jews: As explained above for seven years only Jews were being invited into Church membership in fulfillment of Daniel 9:27.

AC11:20 But, there were some [Jewish disciples] who were from Cyprus and Cyrene, 454 and these arrived in Antioch, speaking also to the [non-Jewish] Greeks, 455 preaching the Master Jesus.

454	Cyprus and Cyrene: Northwest and southwest of Jerusalem by hundreds of miles. See notes elsewhere on the two places.

455	Speaking also to the [non-Jewish] Greeks: This is a new development in the Church. The word “Greek” is often used as a synonym for “non-Jew” or the “uncircumcised.” Part of the reason is that so many cultures were influenced by the Greeks, including the Romans.

AC11:21 And YHWH’s hand 456 was with them and a large number of them turned to believing in the Master.

456	YHWH’s hand: It is possible this is a Hebraism and alludes to similar language in the Hebrew Bible. The Greek allows for the possibility YHWH occurred here.

Acts 11:22-26 – The First “Christians”

AC11:22 Now when the report about them was heard by the ears of the congregation in Jerusalem, 457 [the apostles] sent Barnabas to Antioch. 458

457	By the ears of the congregation in Jerusalem: The congregation in Jerusalem has been the center of the Church with its apostolic body. From there most decisions originated and went out to all the congregations.

458

The apostles sent Barnabas to Antioch: Thus Barnabas is later called an “apostle” and is highly trusted as a representative of the Twelve in Jerusalem. This is a traveling distance of about four hundred miles. During Luke’s history here some years pass from 36 AD in chapter 10 to 49 AD in chapter 15. Long distances between cities and the slowness of communication explain this.

AC11:23 Now after arriving [Barnabas] and seeing God’s unmerited favor he rejoiced and kept encouraging everyone to remain heartily devoted 459 to the Master.

459	To remain heartily devoted: Or, TCN: make up their minds to be faithful; WEY: fixed resolve; GDS: resolute; WMS: hearty purpose; BER: remain loyal; BAR: remain resolutely loyal to.

AC11:24 [Barnabas] was a good man full of holy Pneuma and conviction, 460 and as a result a great number were added to the Master.

460	[Barnabas] was a good man full of holy Pneuma and conviction: A high recommendation in the Scripture. For this reason he is always mentioned first with Saul until later.

AC11:25 Then he left for Tarsus to search for Saul. 461

461	Then he left for Tarsus to search for Saul: Two hundred miles by land and one hundred by sea. Often the easiest way to travel was by boat. He seems to know exactly where Paul has remained. Compare Galatians 1:17.

AC11:26 Now having found him, [Barnabas] brought him back to Antioch. Then it happened they also spent a whole year meeting together in the congregation, 462 teaching a large crowd. 463 And, it was first in Antioch the disciples came to be called “Christians.” 464

462	Whole year meeting together in the congregation: This helps to understand how time passes quickly here. It must be about 46/47 AD. Some believe the Gospel of Matthew would have been written around 41/42, certainly before 48, and may have begun limited distribution.

463	Teaching a large crowd: Antioch was considered the third city in the Roman Empire. It becomes something of a northern center of Christianity, as Alexandria is the southern center.

464

It was first in Antioch the disciples came to be called “Christians”: How this came about no one knows. Some think it a derogatory term because it means “Anointed Ones” [or, those who are anointed]. The name means those who follow Christ. In Hebrew this would have been MESHI·CHI·YIM’ or “Messianists.” The Greek CHREMATISAI [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5537, to utter an oracle, divinely estimate, admonished of God] and so some understand the name to have come about by divine providence. [KIT: to style divinely] The word also occurs at Romans 7:3, or “divinely called.” The members were first just called disciples, then The Way, and now “Christians” which is a name that lasts up to Peter’s use of it at 1 Peter 4:16. Even worldly judges knew of it before 66 AD. [Acts 26:28] The name persists to the 3rd Millennium as a general designation for all in the Church, though the Church itself is fragmented into 10,000 sects with a variety of names. The Christians were also called “Nazarenes.” [Acts 24:5] Also, simply “the Saints” of “Friends.” [3 John 14]

Acts 11:27-30 – Famine and Relief

AC11:27 Now during this period prophets came from Jerusalem 465 down to Antioch.

465

Prophets came from Jerusalem: On “prophet” see notes on 1 Corinthians 12:28. This is likely the first office mentioned in the Christian Church. Not all congregations had such. [Acts 13:1] Though the term can refer to someone who predicts the future, it is more often used of a speaker or preacher in a special office as such. Later it is clear that an elder could hold any or all of the prime offices: apostle, prophet, teacher, shepherd, and missionary.

AC11:28 One of them named Agabus 466 rose and indicated by means of the Pneuma that a great famine was about to occur in all the inhabited earth. (Such did occur during the time of Claudius.) 467

466	Agabus: He appears again at Acts 21:8-11.

467	During the time of Claudius: This famine did occur as Josephus records that a “great famine” did happen during the reign of Emperor Claudius (41-54 AD). [Jewish Antiquities, XX, 51 (ii, 5); XX, 101 (v, 2)] This is one reason why the period can be confirmed.

AC11:29 As a result, disciples determined that each according to personal circumstances would send support to those brothers dwelling in Judea. AC11:30 This they also did, sending [the contribution] to the elders [in Jerusalem] by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. 468

468	By the hand of Barnabas and Saul: Indicating the degree of trust now for Saul. Barnabas and Saul will now become constant companions until after the apostolic conference in Acts 15.

Review Questions on Chapter Eleven