📖 Acts — Chapter 11 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Acts 11:1 And Rthe apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
Acts 11:2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, Rthey that were of the circumcision contended with him,
Acts 11:3 RSaying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
Acts 11:4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
Acts 11:5 I Rwas 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:
Acts 11:6 Upon the which when I had Rfastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
Acts 11:7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
Acts 11:8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing Rcommon or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
Acts 11:9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, RWhat God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
Acts 11:10 And this was done Rthree times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
Acts 11:11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
Acts 11:12 And Rthe Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:
Acts 11:13 And Rhe 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;
Acts 11:14 Who shall tell thee Rwords, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
Acts 11:15 And Ras I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Acts 11:16 Then Rremembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 11:17 Forasmuch then Ras 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?
Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, Rthey held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Acts 11:19 Now Rthey 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.
Acts 11:20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and RCyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the LORD Jesus.
Acts 11:21 And Rthe hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
Acts 11:22 Then Rtidings 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.
Acts 11:23 Who, when he came, and had Rseen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
Acts 11:24 For Rhe was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
Acts 11:25 Then departed Barnabas Rto Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, Rthat a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Acts 11:27 And in these days came Rprophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
Acts 11:28 And there stood up one of them named RAgabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
Acts 11:29 Then the disciples, Revery man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
Acts 11:30 Which also they did, and sent it Rto the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 11:1–18 — Peter explains the Gentile household’s reception
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Challenged about entering an uncircumcised household, Peter recounts the vision, Spirit’s direction, and the Holy Ghost’s coming. He recalls Jesus’ promise and asks how he could withstand God, leading the hearers to glorify God.
Key Truth: Assess a changed situation through truthful evidence rather than rumor.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And the ____ and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles …” (Acts 11:1)
Find it in Acts 11:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And this was ____ three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.” (Acts 11:10)
Find it in Acts 11:10 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “When they heard these things, they held their ____ , and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to …” (Acts 11:18)
Find it in Acts 11:18 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 11:19–26 — Antioch receives the word and sustained teaching
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Scattered believers preach, and many turn to the Lord in Antioch. Barnabas encourages steadfastness, seeks Saul, and together they teach the church for a year; the disciples are called Christians there.
Key Truth: Join a beginning of faith with encouragement and continued teaching.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And some of them ____ men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come …” (Acts 11:20)
Find it in Acts 11:20 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of ____ they would cleave unto the Lord.” (Acts 11:23)
Find it in Acts 11:23 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And when he had ____ him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to …” (Acts 11:26)
Find it in Acts 11:26 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 11:27–30 — A famine warning leads to practical relief
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Prophets arrive from Jerusalem, and Agabus foretells famine. The disciples determine relief according to their ability and send it to the Judaean elders through Barnabas and Saul.
Key Truth: Let received warning lead to proportionate and practical care.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And in ____ days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.” (Acts 11:27)
Find it in Acts 11:27 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “____ the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to …” (Acts 11:29)
Find it in Acts 11:29 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Which also they did, and ____ it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and …” (Acts 11:30)
Find it in Acts 11:30 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
John 13:35 — Jesus’ teaching about recognizable love connects with the believers’ practical relief.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What need can you help meet according to your present ability?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Acts 11:1–18 (Peter explains the Gentile household’s reception) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Acts 11:19–26 (Antioch receives the word and sustained teaching) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Acts 11:27–30 (A famine warning leads to practical relief) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What makes opposition to the Gentiles' gift untenable in Peter's account?
5. What sustained activity accompanies the disciples' new name at Antioch?
Notes
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