Acts 11:1-18 | The Way of Scripture

Acts 11:1-18

How does Peter explain welcoming the Gentiles?

Berean Standard Bible

1 The apostles and brothers throughout Judea soon heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers took issue with him 3 and said, “You visited uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
4 But Peter began and explained to them the whole sequence of events: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision of something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came right down to me. 6 I looked at it closely and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7 Then I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter, kill and eat.’ 8 ‘No, Lord,’ I said, ‘for nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ 10 This happened three times, and everything was drawn back up into heaven. 11 Just then three men sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told me to accompany them without hesitation. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s home. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will convey to you a message by which you and all your household will be saved.’
15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as He had fallen upon us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift He gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to hinder the work of God?” 18 When they heard this, they had no further objections, and they glorified God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”

What is the context?

News that Gentiles have received God’s word reaches the apostles and believers in Judea. When Peter returns to Jerusalem, circumcised believers challenge him about visiting and eating with uncircumcised people. Luke identifies the objection without saying that every apostle joined in it.

Peter responds by explaining the sequence of events. He recounts the vision, the Spirit’s direction to accompany the messengers and the six brothers who went with him. Cornelius had also received instructions, including the promise of a message through which his household would be saved.

The decisive point is the gift of the Holy Spirit. Peter connects what happened to Jesus’ promise and to the gift received at the beginning. He asks how he could hinder God after God had given the same gift to these believers.

The hearers withdraw their objections and glorify God. The scene ends with recognition that God has granted Gentiles repentance leading to life. An uncomfortable question about eating together leads to a shared acknowledgment of God’s work.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Christians commonly understand Peter’s explanation as grounds for welcoming Gentile believers on the basis of what God has done. Calvin on verse 18 highlights the hearers’ willingness to change their judgment and give God glory when the events are explained.

Where does this fit in God's plan?

Peter explicitly connects the event with Jesus’ promise of baptism in the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:5. He does not treat the Gentiles’ reception as a lesser gift that leaves them outside the people of God.

Acts 15:7–11 later returns to this same event when Peter explains that God made no distinction between the groups and cleansed their hearts by faith. The inclusion at stake here will matter again when the church discusses what may be required of Gentile believers.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

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