Acts 11:1-18

Peter Reports to the Church

1 Now the apostles and r the brothers 1 who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, s the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 t "You went to uncircumcised men and u ate with them." 4 But Peter began and explained it to them in order: 5 v "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. 6 Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' 8 But I said, 'By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' 9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, 'What God has made clean, do not call common.' 10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. 11 And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. 12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, w making no distinction. x These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. 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; 14 y he will declare to you a message by which z you will be saved, you and all your household.' 15 As I began to speak, a the Holy Spirit fell on them b just as on us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, c 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17 If then d God gave e the same gift to them as he gave to us f when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, g who was I h that I could stand in God's way?" 18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they i glorified God, saying, j "Then to the Gentiles also God has k granted l repentance that leads to life."

  1. Cross References
    Acts 11:29
    So the disciples determined, everyone according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.
    John 21:23
    So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?
  2. Cross References
    Acts 10:45
    And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.
    Galatians 2:12
    For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.
    Colossians 4:11
    And Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
    Titus 1:10
    For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.
    Romans 4:12
    And to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
  3. Cross References
    Galatians 2:12
    For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.
    Galatians 2:14
    But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?
    Acts 10:28
    And he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.
  4. Cross References
    Luke 15:2
    And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them.
  5. Cross References
    Acts 11:5 - 14
    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.
    Acts 10:9 - 32
    The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.
  6. Cross References
    Acts 15:9
    And he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.
  7. Cross References
    Acts 10:23
    So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.
    Acts 10:45
    And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.
  8. Cross References
    Acts 10:22
    And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.
  9. Cross References
    Acts 10:2
    A devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.
    Acts 16:15
    And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us.
    Acts 16:31 - 34
    And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.
    Acts 18:8
    Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
    John 4:53
    The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." And he himself believed, and all his household.
  10. Cross References
    Acts 10:44
    While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.
  11. Cross References
    Acts 2:4
    And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
  12. Cross References
    Acts 1:5
    For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.
    Acts 19:2
    And he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.
    Matthew 3:11
    I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
  13. Cross References
    Acts 10:47
    "Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"
  14. Cross References
    Acts 2:38
    And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
  15. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:13
    In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.
    Acts 10:43
    To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
  16. Cross References
    Romans 9:20
    But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?
  17. Cross References
    Acts 10:47
    "Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"
    Acts 5:39
    But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!" So they took his advice.
  18. Cross References
    Acts 21:20
    And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law.
  19. Cross References
    Acts 13:47
    For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'
    Matthew 8:11
    I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
    Acts 10:34 - 35
    So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality.
  20. Cross References
    Acts 5:31
    God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
  21. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 7:10
    For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.