Unleashing the Good News: Confirmation and Expansion of the Gentile Mission

Acts 11 highlights the rapid growth of the early church, transcending cultural and ethnic boundaries. This progression, marked by the inclusive spirit and charity among believers, underscores the essence of Christianity—love, understanding, and unity in Christ. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder that the message of God's love is universal, and the response to human needs, a crucial part of Christian discipleship.

Verses 1-18: Peter Defends His Actions

When Peter returns to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticize him for eating with the uncircumcised. Peter explains his vision and how the Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentiles just as it had upon them. Hearing this, the critics are silenced and glorify God, acknowledging that salvation is extended to the Gentiles.

Verses 19-21: The Church in Antioch

The narrative shifts to the believers scattered after Stephen's persecution, who spread the word to Jews only. However, some believers from Cyprus and Cyrene share the Gospel with Gentiles in Antioch, leading many to the Lord.

Verses 22-26: Barnabas and Saul in Antioch

News of the Gentile converts reaches the Jerusalem church, and they send Barnabas to Antioch. He rejoices at God's grace upon the believers, and the church grows. Barnabas fetches Saul from Tarsus, and for a year, they teach a large crowd. The disciples are first called "Christians" in Antioch.

Verses 27-30: Agabus' Prophecy and Aid to Jerusalem

Prophets from Jerusalem visit Antioch. One of them, Agabus, prophesies a severe worldwide famine. The disciples decide to send relief to the brothers living in Judea, each according to his ability.

Acts 11 continues the narrative of the inclusion of Gentiles into the early Christian church. The chapter features Peter defending his actions to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem, the establishment and growth of the church in Antioch, a prophecy about a worldwide famine, and the disciples' proactive response to send relief to their brethren in Jerusalem.

Acceptance
Witness and Testimony
Prophecy
Outreach and Expansion
Christian Fellowship
Almsgiving and CharityPeter Explains His Actions to the Jerusalem Church
The Church in Antioch
Prophecy of Agabus
The Church Sends Aid to JerusalemPeter
The Apostles and the believers in Jerusalem
The believers in Antioch
Barnabas
Saul (Paul)
Agabus
The disciplesJerusalem
Antioch
Joppa
Caesarea

1. How does Peter's defense to the Jewish believers show the importance of witnessing and testifying to God's work?

2. What significance does the conversion of Gentiles in Antioch hold in the context of Christianity's global expansion?

3. How does the narrative of the Antioch church reflect on the role of individual believers in spreading the Gospel?

4. What lessons about accepting and respecting different cultures can we glean from the believers' response to Peter's explanation?

5. How does the prophecy of Agabus demonstrate the role of prophecy in the early church?

6. How did the Antioch church respond to the prophecy of the famine, and what does it teach us about Christian charity?

7. How does Barnabas' reaction to the growing church in Antioch highlight the importance of encouragement and rejoicing in others' spiritual growth?

8. How can we model the generosity and solidarity shown by the disciples in Antioch in response to the predicted famine?

9. Why do you think the disciples were first called "Christians" in Antioch, and what implications does this title hold?

10. How does Acts 11 deepen our understanding of the growth and expansion of the early Christian church?

11. How does this chapter challenge our attitudes towards sharing the Gospel with those who are culturally or ethnically different from us?

12. What can we learn from the Jerusalem church's acceptance of Peter's explanation about his interaction with Gentiles?

13. What does the rapid growth of the Antioch church tell us about the effectiveness of diverse believers working together?

14. How does the Antioch church's response to the predicted famine inspire us to act in times of crisis today?

15. How does Barnabas' decision to involve Saul in the teaching ministry reflect on recognizing and utilizing the talents of others in the church?

16. How can we apply the spirit of unity, acceptance, and proactive response displayed in this chapter to our present-day Christian communities?

17. What does the phrase "each according to his ability" tell us about individual responsibility within a community?

18. How does the story of Acts 11 challenge your perception of Christian identity and mission?

19. How does the reception of the Gentile believers by the early Christian community inspire us to inclusivity and acceptance today?

20. How does this chapter emphasize the role of testimony and story-sharing in the spread of the Gospel?