Bible ReadingActs 11:1–181. Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.
[43:52]2. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him,
[44:18]3. saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
[44:27]4. But Peter began and explained it to them in order:
[50:16]5. “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me.
[50:31]6. Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air.
[50:31]7. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’
[50:31]8. But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’
[50:31]9. But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’
[50:31]10. This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven.
[50:31]11. And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea.
[50:19]12. And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house.
[50:19]13. And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter;
[52:16]14. he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’
[52:16]15. As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.
[52:16]16. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
[51:05]17. If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?”
[51:24]18. When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
[53:33]Luke 15:1–71. Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.
[01:01:35]2. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
[01:01:40]3. So he told them this parable:
[01:01:40]4. “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?
[01:02:30]5. And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
[01:02:36]6. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’
[01:02:36]7. Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
[01:02:43]Acts 11:19–2619. Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.
[55:35]20. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
[55:47]21. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
[56:33]22. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
[58:59]23. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,
[01:01:08]24. for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
[01:01:08]25. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
[01:00:18]26. and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
[01:00:35]Observation questions- What specifically upset the circumcision party when Peter returned to Jerusalem, and what did Peter explain to show that the Gentiles’ salvation was God’s work? [44:11]
- In Acts 11:17–18, what two responses followed Peter’s question, “Who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” [53:27]
- What is different about “some of them” in Acts 11:20 compared with the believers in verse 19, and what happened when they spoke to the Hellenists? [55:47]
- What actions did Barnabas take after arriving in Antioch, and what did he do for Saul in Tarsus? [01:00:15]
Interpretation questions- Peter had strong religious habits and convictions, yet God corrected him through the vision, the Spirit’s direction, and the Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit. What does this show about the way God may challenge deeply rooted cultural or religious assumptions? [50:40]
- Why was Peter’s question, “Who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” a humble and important answer to the Jerusalem believers’ criticism? [53:02]
- The believers became silent and glorified God when they understood that God had granted repentance leading to life. Why is repentance described here as something God grants rather than simply something people achieve by themselves? [53:50]
- Barnabas did not only teach crowds; he went looking for Saul and brought him into Christian fellowship and ministry. What does this reveal about the kind of care a church should give to people who are isolated or struggling? [01:02:13]
Application questions- “Community earbuds” can make a person hear only what fits his or her culture, race, background, or denomination. What assumptions or preferences might be making it hard for you to recognize God’s work in people who are different from you? [47:02]
- Is there a person or group you have quietly considered too different, too difficult, or outside your circle? What would it look like to treat that person as someone God desires to bring to life in Jesus? [50:06]
- Peter’s response was, “Who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” When have you been tempted to resist something because it did not happen in the way you expected? How could humility help you respond differently? [51:39]
- Who is one “new person” in your office, school, neighborhood, store, or family circle who may need to hear about Jesus or experience Christian friendship? What is one simple and respectful step you could take this week? [58:27]
- Barnabas went looking for Saul instead of leaving him alone. Is there someone you know who may be lonely, discouraged, depressed, or drifting away? How can you move toward that person with care, not merely notice their pain? [01:03:15]
- Antioch’s believers shared the gospel across boundaries, and the church also became known for relief and charity. What practical need around you could your group help meet as an expression of Christ’s love? [01:03:29]
- The disciples in Antioch were called Christians because their lives were shaped by the Lord Jesus. In what area of daily life do you most want to move from “playing church” to truly living Christ? [01:05:01]
