- 1And the apostles and brethren that were in Judæa heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
- 2And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
- 3Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
- 4But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
- 5I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
- 6Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
- 7And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
- 8But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
- 9But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
- 10And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
- 11And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Cæsarea unto me.
- 12And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:
- 13And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
- 14Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
- 15And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
- 16Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
- 17Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
- 18When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
- 19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
- 20And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
- 21And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
- 22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
- 23Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
- 24For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
- 25Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
- 26And 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.
- 27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
- 28And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar.
- 29Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judæa:
- 30Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
KING JAMES VERSION
ACTS 11
Read the chapter, follow a linked verse, and continue into related Watchman 33 teaching.
CHAPTER VISUAL
Acts 11 — Jerusalem glorifies God for Gentile repentance, the church flourishes at Antioch, and disciples send relief to their brethren in Judea.
About this illustration
The Antioch congregation, Barnabas bringing Saul, a year of teaching, and relief preparation are combined. Peter’s report of Cornelius is not restaged, keeping Acts 10 and Acts 11 visually distinct.
Scripture basis: Acts 11:1–30King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
EXPLORE THE MESSAGE
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Archaeological Evidence
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
5th Century
Papyrus P127: Acts 10–12 and 15–17 in a Greek Codex
P.Oxy. LXXIV 4968, Gregory-Aland P127, comprises remains of eight fifth-century papyrus leaves of Acts and preserves a distinctive text often compared with Codex Bezae.
Acts 10:32–35 · Acts 10:40–45 · Acts 11:2–5
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEInscription
late 1st century BC to AD 55/56
The Berenice Synagogue Donor Inscriptions
Three Greek inscriptions from Berenice in Cyrenaica record a Jewish politeuma, archons, civic honors, and named donors who financed synagogue repairs under Nero, providing direct first-century evidence for an organized North African diaspora community.
Mark 15:21 · Acts 2:10–11 · Acts 6:9
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArchaeological site
Hellenistic through Roman periods
Roman Antioch-on-the-Orontes
Excavation archives document the streets, houses, baths, mosaics, and cosmopolitan material culture of the city where believers were first called Christians.
Acts 11:19–26 · Acts 13:1–3
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
Fifth century AD
Uncial 0244: Acts from the Khirbet Mird Manuscripts
Uncial 0244: Acts from the Khirbet Mird Manuscripts is the independently registered Greek New Testament witness GA 0244, controlled by its manuscript number, present shelfmark, physical form, and surviving biblical contents.
Acts 11:29–30 · Acts 12:1–5
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEBurial
mid-first century AD
The Tomb of the Kings and Helena of Adiabene
A vast first-century AD funerary estate north of Jerusalem is widely identified with the family tomb of Helena of Adiabene, a Mesopotamian queen who converted to Judaism. Architecture, Josephus, and an inscribed royal sarcophagus make a cumulative case, though the sarcophagus's precise owner remains debated.
Acts 2:9–11 · Acts 11:27–30
Prophecy Events
Sermons
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Dean Odle teaches that the Holy Spirit can disclose future events in order to prepare and guide believers, while repeatedly calling the church to discernment and dependence on Scripture. He combines personal visions and economic warnings with his futurist reading of Matthew 24 and Revelation, including war, disease, coercive systems, and the mark of the beast.
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View sermon Apologetics #5 - The Divine Inspiration of the Bible (Part 4)
In “Apologetics #5 - The Divine Inspiration of the Bible (Part 4),” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about the authority of Scripture, the condition of the church, faith. Drawing especially from John 5, Acts 11, Acts 16, John 1, the teaching emphasizes that Scripture is presented as the standard for doctrine, discernment, and daily obedience. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that the church is called to recover biblical faithfulness instead of accommodating compromise.
Bible ProphecyScripture AloneSpiritual Warfare
View sermon Hearing God, Chaos & Portland Oregon
In “Hearing God, Chaos & Portland Oregon,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about Bible prophecy, the authority of Scripture, prayer. Drawing especially from Galatians 5, Romans 8, 1 Thessalonians 5, 1 Corinthians 15, the teaching emphasizes that prophecy should produce discernment, readiness, and faithfulness rather than speculation alone. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that Scripture is presented as the standard for doctrine, discernment, and daily obedience.
Bible ProphecyScripture AloneIsrael and JerusalemChristian Living
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