Acts 11

Acts 11: God’s Grace Doesn’t Play Favorites

As we dive into Acts 11, we realize we can't really understand it without remembering what happened in Acts 10. That’s where Peter had the shocking vision that turned everything upside down—God showed him that the old laws about clean and unclean food no longer applied, and more importantly, neither did the distinctions between Jew and Gentile when it came to who could receive the Holy Spirit.

By the time we hit chapter 11, Peter is back in Jerusalem, and word is spreading fast: Gentiles are coming to faith. This wasn’t just unusual—it was scandalous. People demanded answers. So Peter explained what happened at Cornelius’s house, how the Spirit had come upon the Gentiles just like it did upon them at Pentecost. And his closing line in verse 17 hits us in the gut:

“If God gave them the same gift he gave us… who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”

There’s a holy hush in the room when he says that. The people fall silent, and then—amazingly—they glorify God. God’s grace was now visibly crossing cultural, racial, and religious boundaries, and the church had to wrestle with what that meant. If we’re honest, so do we.

The Gospel Is on the Move—Even in Hardship

While Peter was explaining things in Jerusalem, something else was happening. Because of persecution—specifically after Stephen’s death—believers were scattering everywhere. From Phoenicia to Cyprus to Antioch, people were on the move, running for their lives… but bringing the gospel with them.

What’s wild is that the very thing the enemy used to try to crush the church—persecution—is the thing God used to spread it. The gospel went out in all directions. In Antioch, a city bustling with diversity and spiritual hunger, the church took root. In fact, that’s where followers of Jesus were first called Christians.

And we have to imagine how strange this was. People fleeing danger arrive in your town and say, “Hey, want to join this movement people are getting killed for?” And people did. Why? Because the Holy Spirit was working. Hearts were softening. A hunger for truth and love was pulling people toward Jesus. It didn’t make human sense—but it made kingdom sense.

The Spirit Builds a Diverse, Generous Church

Barnabas and Saul (soon to be Paul) come into the scene in Antioch, and they stay for a whole year teaching and building up the church. We’re told Barnabas was “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” The result? A great number of people came to the Lord.

This wasn’t just about preaching. It was about living. The early church was a messy mix of people—Jews, Gentiles, rich, poor, long-time believers, brand-new converts—trying to figure out what it meant to follow Jesus together. And they didn’t just teach; they shared. They gave money to support believers back in Judea who were facing famine. Everyone gave “according to their ability.” It was all hands on deck.

Honestly, it’s kind of hilarious and humbling. These early disciples weren’t polished professionals—they were bivocational, tradespeople, on the move, doing what they could. Some could preach. Others could fish, build, or paint (yes, that’s still a spiritual gift in church ministry today!). The point is: everyone participated.

What About Us?

Peter said, “Who am I to stand in God’s way?” That question still challenges us today. Where have we decided in our hearts that someone is too far for God to reach? Who have we written off? When we see God doing something unexpected, how do we respond?

Acts 11 invites us to stop trying to control God’s grace and start celebrating it. To stop analyzing from the sidelines and start participating in what God’s doing—even when it’s messy or uncomfortable.

And maybe the most personal challenge is this: If someone were to describe us like Barnabas, what would they say? Are we full of the Spirit and faith? Are we generous with our time and resources? Are we willing to say, “I’m all in” even when it’s hard?

Because the same Spirit that moved in Antioch is moving today. The same gospel is still worth giving our lives for. And the same Jesus is still inviting people to follow Him—even in the middle of chaos, questions, and crossfire. Let’s be the church that says yes.