Acts 11:10

11:1-18 The imperfect state of human nature strongly appears, when godly persons are displeased even to hear that the word of God has been received, because their own system has not been attended to. And we are too apt to despair of doing good to those who yet, when tried, prove very teachable. It is the bane and damage of the church, to shut out those from it, and from the benefit of the means of grace, who are not in every thing as we are. Peter stated the whole affair. We should at all times bear with the infirmities of our brethren; and instead of taking offence, or answering with warmth, we should explain our motives, and show the nature of our proceedings. That preaching is certainly right, with which the Holy Ghost is given. While men are very zealous for their own regulations, they should take care that they do not withstand God; and those who love the Lord will glorify him, when made sure that he has given repentance to life to any fellow-sinners. Repentance is God's gift; not only his free grace accepts it, but his mighty grace works it in us, grace takes away the heart of stone, and gives us a heart of flesh. The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit.

And this was done three times,.... That is, the voice from heaven answered three times, and encouraged Peter to kill and eat; and so the Ethiopic version renders it, "and he likewise said unto me the third time"; the words as before: and all were drawn up again into heaven; the sheet with all the creatures upon it, by the same hands that let it down; the Syriac version renders it, "and all betook themselves to heaven"; as if it all went up to heaven of itself; and the Ethiopic version, "and the whole returned again to heaven"; See Gill on Acts 10:16.

This was done three times; for the same reason but now mentioned, that God might more abundantly manifest this mystery of the calling in of the Gentiles, which had been so long hid. All were drawn up again into heaven; all this was from heaven; unto which also it tended, namely, to bring the Gentiles thither.

3, 4. Thou wentest in … But Peter rehearsed the matter, &c.—These objectors scruple not to demand from Peter, though the first among the apostles, an explanation of his conduct; nor is there any insinuation on Peter's part of disrespect towards his authority in that demand—a manifest proof that such authority was unknown both to the complainers and to himself.

Acts 8:16 . ἐπιπεπτωκός : the verb is characteristic of St. Luke, and used by him both in his Gospel and in Acts of the occurrence of extraordinary conditions, e.g. , the sudden influence of the Spirit, cf. Luke 1:12 , Acts 10:44 ; Acts 11:15 ; Acts 19:17 , cf. Revelation 11:11 ( Acts 10:10 cannot be supported, and in Acts 13:11 read ἔπεσεν ). Similar usage in LXX, Exodus 15:16 , 1 Samuel 26:12 , Psalm 54:4 , Jdt 2:28 ; Jdt 11:11 , etc. Friedrich, Das Lucasevangelium , p. 41 For the word as used by St. Luke in another sense also characteristic of him, see below on Acts 20:37 , and Plummer on Acts 15:20 . On the formula of baptism see above p. 91, and “Baptism,” B.D.2, p. 352, and Hastings’ B.D.— ὑπῆρχον here perhaps = “made a beginning,” took the first step (Lumby).

[Bible] 10:44. While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the word. 10:45. And the faithful of the circumcision, who came with Peter, were astonished for that the grace of the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles also. 10:46. For they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God. 10:47. Then Peter answered: Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost, as well as we? 10:48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they desired him to tarry with them some days. Acts Chapter 11 Peter defends his having received the Gentiles into the church. 11:1. And the apostles and brethren, who were in Judea, heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 11:2. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 11:3. Saying: Why didst thou go in to men uncircumcised and didst eat with them? 11:4. But Peter began and declared to them the matter in order, saying: 11:5. I was in the city of Joppe praying: and I saw in an ecstasy of mind a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners. And it came even unto me. 11:6. Into which looking, I considered and saw fourfooted creatures of the earth and beasts and creeping things and fowls of the air. 11:7. And I heard also a voice saying to me: Arise, Peter. Kill and eat. 11:8. And I said: Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth. 11:9. And the voice answered again from heaven: What God hath made clean, do not thou call common. 11:10. And this was done three times. And all were taken up again into heaven. 11:11. And behold, immediately there were three men come to the house wherein I was, sent to me from Caesarea. 11:12. And the Spirit said to me that I should go with them, nothing doubting. And these six brethren went with me also: and we entered into the man's house.