When I read historical books in the Bible, it is easy for me to sometimes miss the applications for my life. But lately, I have been purposing to ask God more consistently to speak to me as I read the Bible. As a result, here are some applications that I saw as I recently read Acts chapter 11, being more intentional in listening to the Holy Spirit.
Lesson 1:
Acts 11:1-3 ESV Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. (2) So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, (3) “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
Peter then explains to them the vision that God gave him while he was in Joppa, of unclean animals descending from the sky 3 times and a voice each time telling him to eat them. When he objected, the voice said, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” Then 3 men from Caesarea [sess uh REE uh] immediately arrived at the house where he was, and the Spirit told Peter to go with them. When Peter and his companions arrived at the men’s house, they explained that an angel had told them to summon Peter to give the entire household a message of salvation, which he did.
Acts 11:15-18 ESV As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. (16) And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ (17) If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?” (18) When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
“When Peter brought the news of Cornelius's conversion back to Jerusalem, the believers were shocked that Peter had eaten with Gentiles. After they heard the whole story, however, they praised God (Acts 11:18). Their reactions teach us how to handle disagreements with other Christians. Before judging the behavior of fellow believers, it is important to hear them out. The Holy Spirit may have something important to teach us through them.” (LAB notes)
Application: I will purpose to listen fully to other Christians’ views before judging them, because the Holy Spirit may have something to teach me through them.
Lesson 2:
Acts 11:19-21 NIV “Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. (20) Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to 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.”
God used a terrible tragedy (the stoning of Stephen) for His glory, because the scattering of believers by the ensuing persecution actually led to the spreading of the gospel message far and wide.
“ ‘The hand of the Lord was with them’ is another reminder that this remarkable expansion of the church came about only by God’s power, nor by human wisdom or skill.” (ESV Study Bible Notes)
“In the early days of the church, every believer was a missionary. There was a great cost involved with following Christ. They laid their lives down to serve him and to make him known among the nations. Not just the apostles, but all of the believers did their part in spreading the teachings of Jesus wherever they went.” (TPT notes)
Application: I will look for God’s “silver lining” in every trial I face (where He uses the details of the trial “to work together for good.”)
Application: I will be bolder in spreading the teachings of Jesus wherever I go (following the example of the early believers).
Application: I will rely on God’s hand being on me, not my human wisdom or skill, to be a witness to Christ in my life.
Lesson 3:
Acts 11:26 NIV and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called[Greek, chrematizo] Christians first at Antioch.
“The Greek word chrematizo means “supernaturally revealed” (imparted), more than simply “called.” It was first in Antioch that the revelation came that the believers were anointed ones.
So, the text is emphasizing that there was an element of God’s supernatural anointing upon these disciples that the unbelievers around them recognized and therefore called them Christians.
Application: I will purpose to consider my fellow Christians as “anointed ones” – anointed with the principles, power and purposes of God, and will respect them accordingly.
Application: I will purpose to live my life so that unbelievers will see a reflection of Jesus in my life and will recognize me as a “Christian” – a follower of Jesus, the Christ, the Anointed One!
Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”