Acts 11 & 12: The Rise of the Gentiles

The grand theme of Luke’s letter, which Jesus tells the Apostles right at the beginning:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. —Acts 1:8

Three lessons from chapters 11 and 12.

1. The Gospel cannot be bottled up.

The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the Word of God. (2) So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him (3) and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.” (4) Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it happened. —Acts 11:1-4
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as He had come on us at the beginning. (16) Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ (17) So if God gave them the same gift he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God? (18) When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.” —Acts 11:15-18
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. (20) Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. (21) The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. —Acts 11:19-21
…The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. —Acts 11:26

2. God is always going to work in ways that fit His plans, His purpose, and His will.

It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. (2) He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. (3) When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. —Acts 12:1-3
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. —Acts 12:5
The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. —Acts 12:6
Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. —Acts 12:7
Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. (14) When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” —Acts 12:13-14
“Tell James and the brothers about this,”… and then he left for another place. —Acts 12:17
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, (12) in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. —Ephesians 1:11-12

3. No matter how things seem to be going for us, good or bad, God wins.

They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” (23) Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. —Acts 12:22-23
(God says) … for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another. —Isaiah 48:11
It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God. —Hebrews 10:31
… the Word of God continued to increase and spread. —Acts 12:24

Raspberry, here’s our 4-part challenge for today.

First, read Acts chapters 13 and 14.

Second, expect God to work in unexpected ways. Be ready to share God’s Word. Rejoice at what God’s doing.

Third, expect Him to answer prayer, but don’t stress when he answers in unexpected ways. Pray. Align our requests with God’s will.

Be joyful always; (17) pray continually; (18) give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. —1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Fourth, never forget that God wins.

But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, (9) who has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. —2 Timothy 1:8-9
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (8) Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. —2 Timothy 4:7-8