Acts 11
1 The apostles and [other] believers who lived in various towns in Judea [province] heard people say that [some] non-Jewish people had believed the message [from] God [about Jesus].
Now the Apostles and the brethren who were throughout Judaea heard that, the nations also, had welcomed the word of God.
2 So when Peter [and the six other believers] returned [from Caesarea] to Jerusalem, [some] Jewish believers criticized Peter, [because they thought that Jews should not associate with non-Jews] [MTY].
And, when Peter came up unto Jerusalem, they of the circumcision began to find fault with him,
3 They said to him, “Not only was it wrong for you(sg) to visit non-Jewish people, you [even] ate with them!”
Saying—he went in unto men uncircumcised, and did eat with them.
4 So Peter began to explain exactly [what had happened concerning Cornelius].
But Peter, making a beginning, went on to set forth the matter unto them in order, saying—
5 He said, “I was praying [by myself] in Joppa [town], and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw that something like a large sheet was being lowered from heaven. [It was tied with ropes] at its four corners, and it came down to where I was.
I was in the city of Joppa praying, and saw in a trance, a vision: —coming down a sort of vessel, like a large sheet, by four corners, being let down out of heaven, and it came even unto me:
6 As I was looking intently into it, I saw some tame animals [but also animals that our laws forbid us to eat, including] wild animals, snakes, and wild birds.
Into which steadfastly looking, began to observe, and saw the quadrupeds of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the creeping things, and the birds of heaven.
7 Then I heard God [MTY] commanding me, ‘Peter, get up, kill [some of these], and [cook and] eat [their meat]!’
Moreover heard a voice also, saying unto me—Rise, Peter! slay and eat.
8 But I replied, ‘Lord, [you(sg)] surely do not [really want me to do that], because I have never eaten [MTY] meat [from any animal] that [our laws say] that we [(exc)] must not eat [SYN]!’
But I said—By no means, Lord, because, a common or unclean thing, hath at no time entered into my mouth.
9 God spoke from heaven [to me] a second time, ‘[I am] God, [so] if I have made something acceptable [to eat], do not say that it is not acceptable [to eat]!’
And a voice answered, a second time, out of heaven—What things, God, hath cleansed, be not, thou, making common.
10 Then [after that happened three times, the sheet with] all [those animals and birds] was pulled up into heaven again.”
And, this, took place thrice, —and the whole was drawn up again into heaven;
11 “At that exact moment, three men who had been {whom [Cornelius] had} sent from Caesarea arrived at the house where I was staying.
And lo! immediately, three men halted at the house wherein we were, sent from Caesarea unto me.
12 [God’s] Spirit told me that I should be willing to go with them [even though they were not Jews]. These six [Jewish] believers [from Joppa] went with me [to Caesarea], and then we [(exc)] went into that [non-Jewish] man’s house.
And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. And there went with me these six brethren also; and we entered into the house of the man,
13 He told us that he had seen an angel standing in his house. The angel told him, ‘Tell some [men] to go to Joppa and bring back Simon whose other name is Peter.
And he related to us how he had seen the messenger in his house, standing, and saying—Send away unto Joppa, and fetch Simon, who is surnamed Peter;
14 He will tell you [(sg)] how you and everyone [MTY] else in your house will be saved {how [God] will save you and everyone [MTY] else in your house}.’
Who shall speak words unto thee, whereby thou shall be saved, thou, and all thy house.
15 After I started to speak, the Holy Spirit [suddenly] came down on them, just like he had first [MTY] come on us [during the Pentecost festival].
And, as I began to be speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as upon us also at the beginning.
16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John caused people to be baptized in water, but [God] will cause the Holy Spirit [to enter you and change your lives.’]
And I was put in mind of the word of the Lord, how he used to say—John, indeed, immersed with water; but, ye, shall be immersed in Holy Spirit.
17 God gave those non-Jews the same Holy Spirit that he had given to us [(inc)] after we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. So, ([I] could not [possibly] tell God that he did wrong [when he gave them the Holy Spirit!]/how could I [tell] God that he did wrong [when he gave them the Holy Spirit]?) [RHQ] [He was showing that he had received them]!”
If therefore the like free-gift God gave unto them, as even unto us, when we had believed upon the Lord Jesus Christ, who was, I, that could withstand God?
18 After [those Jewish believers] heard what Peter said, they stopped criticizing [him. Instead], they praised God, saying, “Then it is [clear to us that] God has also accepted the non-Jews so that they will have eternal life, if they turn from their sinful behavior [and believe in Jesus]!”
And, having heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying—Hence, even unto the nations, God hath granted repentance unto life.
19 After [people had killed] Stephen, many of the believers left [Jerusalem and went] to other places, because people were causing them to suffer [there in Jerusalem. Some of] them went to Phoenicia [region], some went to Cyprus [Island], and others went to Antioch [city in Syria province. In those places] they were continually telling people the message [about Jesus], but they told only other Jewish people.
They, therefore, who had been scattered abroad by reason of the tribulation that took place on account of Stephen, passed through as far as Phoenice and Cyprus and Antioch, unto no one speaking the word, save alone unto Jews.
20 Some of the believers were men from Cyprus and from Cyrene [city in north Africa]. They went to Antioch, and [although they told other Jews about] the Lord Jesus, they also told non-Jewish people [there].
And there were some from among them, Cyprians and Cyrenians, who, indeed, coming unto Antioch, began speaking, even unto the Grecian Jews, announcing the glad tidings as to the Lord Jesus;
21 The Lord [God] [MTY] was powerfully enabling those [believers to preach effectively. As a result], very many [non-Jewish] people believed [their message and] trusted in the Lord [Jesus].
And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number—they who believed—turned unto the Lord.
22 The group of believers in Jerusalem heard [MTY] [people say that many people in Antioch were believing in Jesus. So] the [leaders] of the congregation in [Jerusalem] asked Barnabas to go to Antioch.
And the matter was reported in the hearing of the assembly that was in Jerusalem, concerning them; and they sent forth Barnabas, as far as Antioch;
23 When he got [there], he realized that God had acted kindly toward [the believers. So] he was very happy, and he continually encouraged all of the [believers] to continue to trust completely in the Lord [Jesus].
Who, arriving, and seeing the favour which was of God, rejoiced, and went on to beseech all, with the purpose of their heart, to abide [in] the Lord;
24 Barnabas was a good man [whom] the Holy Spirit completely controlled, one who trusted [God] completely. [Because of what Barnabas did], many people [there] believed in the Lord [Jesus].
Because he was a good man, and full of Holy Spirit and faith; and a considerable multitude were added unto the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus [in Cilicia province to try] to find Saul.
He went away, however, unto Tarsus, to seek up Saul;
26 After he found him, Barnabas brought him [back to] Antioch [to help teach the believers. So during] a whole year [Barnabas and Saul] met [regularly] with the congregation [there] and taught many of them [about Jesus. It was] at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians {[that people] first called the believers Christians}.
And, finding him, he brought him unto Antioch. And so it was with them, that, for a whole year, they were brought together in the assembly, and taught a considerable multitude; also that the disciples, first in Antioch, were called, Christians.
27 During the time [that Barnabas and Saul were] at Antioch, some [believers who were] prophets arrived there from Jerusalem.
Now, in these days, there came down from Jerusalem, prophets, unto Antioch.
28 One of them, whose name was Agabus, stood up [in order to speak]. [God’s] Spirit enabled him to prophesy (that there would soon be a famine in many countries/that [people] in many countries [HYP] would soon [suffer because they] would not have enough [food] to eat). (That famine happened when Claudius was the [Roman Emperor].)
And one from among them, by name Agabus, rising up, gave a sign, through means of the Spirit, that, a great famine, was coming over all the inhabited earth; which, indeed, came to pass under Claudius.
29 When the believers [there heard what Agabus said], they decided that they would send [money] to help the believers who lived in Judea. Each [of them decided to give as much money] as he was able [to give].
And, according as any one of the disciples was being prospered, they each one of them set apart [something] for ministering, to send unto the brethren, who dwelt in Jerusalem; —
30 They sent [the money] with Barnabas and Saul to the leaders of the congregation [in Jerusalem].
Which thing they also did, sending it unto the Elders, through the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
