November 7, 2024
DAILY BIBLE READING – Acts Chapter 11
1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
5 I 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:
6 Upon 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.
7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:
13 And 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;
14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16 Then 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.
17 Forasmuch 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?
18 When 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.
20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21 And 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.
23 Who, 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.
24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
26 And 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.
28 And 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 Caesar.
29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
King James Version. Public Domain
Commentary
Introduction:
The Acts of the Apostles, particularly chapter 11, depicts a significant development in the early Christian community: the opening of the Gospel to non-Jews, that is, the Gentiles. This chapter highlights how early Christianity leaves its Jewish roots behind and evolves into a universal movement that welcomes people of all nations. A central theme is the tension between Jewish traditions and the new direction of the Christian message, which Peter attempts to clarify after a vision.
Commentary:
In Acts 11, Peter is confronted with an important theological conflict: Should the Christian community also accept people of other backgrounds—in other words, Gentiles? The vision that Peter had in Joppa illustrates that God does not evaluate people based on dietary laws or external purity regulations. The heavenly message is that Peter should not distinguish between “clean” and “unclean” nations because God has deemed the Gentiles worthy to receive His message as well. This vision is revolutionary and challenging for the young church in Jerusalem, as it breaks with the traditional Jewish dietary and purity laws that had defined Judaism.
Interestingly, Peter speaks of the baptism with the Holy Spirit as a sign of divine acceptance that goes beyond human regulations. He refers to the experience that the Holy Spirit has also been poured out on the Gentiles, which strengthens the conviction of the apostles and the brethren. Peter persuades his Jewish brothers to accept the breadth of God’s plan: If God gives the Gentiles the same Spirit as the Jews, how could he argue against it? This reasoning convinces the Jerusalem church, which ultimately praises God and acknowledges that repentance and salvation are open to all people.
In the second half of the chapter, Christians in Antioch are mentioned as spreading the Gospel to Greek listeners as well. Here, another milestone is described: in Antioch, the disciples are first called “Christians.” This indicates that the Christian community is developing its own identity and increasingly distancing itself from Jewish traditions by appealing to a broad spectrum of people and opening up from an exclusively Jewish to a multicultural audience.
Summary:
Acts 11 describes Peter’s vision and his encounter with the Jerusalem church, which criticizes him for his contact with non-Jews. Through his vision and the work of the Holy Spirit, the church recognizes that the Christian message is open to all nations. Later in Antioch, more and more Gentiles accept the Gospel, and the believers there are first called “Christians.” This chapter demonstrates the overcoming of religious and cultural boundaries and lays the foundation for universal Christianity.
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages
Chapter 74—Gethsemane
This chapter is based on Matthew 26:36-56; Mark 14:32-50; Luke 22:39-53; John 18:1-12.
Read online here
Commentary
Introduction:
Chapter 74, “Gethsemane,” leads us into the deepest and most moving episode in the life of Jesus: the prayer and inner struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane, immediately before His arrest. The Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John depict how Jesus, accompanied by His closest disciples, goes to Gethsemane at night and prepares for the impending suffering. This scene reveals the painful inner conflict that Jesus experiences in His human nature as He willingly takes on the burden of the world’s sins. Here in Gethsemane, His absolute dedication and obedience to the Father’s will become intensely visible. The disciples, exhausted and inattentive, fall asleep while Jesus engages in the most bitter spiritual struggle of His life. Gethsemane becomes the epitome of His sacrifice and His unparalleled love for humanity.
Commentary:
Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane is a portrayal of deepest devotion and pain. Here, we encounter a side of Jesus that is both human and divine: He wrestles with the burden of sin that threatens to separate Him from the presence of God. This scene reveals that Jesus, although divine, truly endures the wrath and consequences of human sin in His human nature. The words “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me” demonstrate His anguish and simultaneously His willingness to follow God’s will, predestining Him as the sin offering for humanity.
Jesus’ dedication is all the more remarkable in light of the weakness of His disciples. He urges them to stay awake and pray, yet three times He returns to find them asleep. This scene highlights human frailty in the face of spiritual reality and accentuates Jesus’ loneliness and determination. The angels who appear to Him at the end serve as the final divine encouragement before He embarks on the painful path to the cross. Through this episode, it becomes clear that Jesus, fully aware of the magnitude of His sacrifice, resolutely continues the path to the redemption of humanity.
The climax comes when Jesus confronts His betrayers and the armed crowd without using divine power to defend Himself or flee. Instead, He faces His impending fate calmly and steadfastly. His example in Gethsemane is a powerful image of self-sacrifice and obedience to God’s will, regardless of personal pain and suffering.
Summary:
Chapter 74 describes the events in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus experiences the most severe inner struggle of His life before His suffering and crucifixion. In deep prayer, He wrestles with the burden of humanity’s sins and the separation from the Father that sin brings. Despite His anguish, He decides to fulfill the Father’s will and drink the “cup” that lies ahead. The disciples who accompany Him fail to stay awake and fall asleep despite His pleas. After a final prayer, Jesus receives divine strength from an angel that fortifies Him for His journey. When the soldiers and the betrayer Judas arrive, Jesus faces them without resistance and is taken captive. The scene in Gethsemane highlights Jesus’ willingness to sacrifice and dedication, becoming the symbolic center of His suffering for humanity.
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