Sunday Morning Bible Study: Acts 11 — Peter’s Report and the Church at Antioch

📖 A Verse

“When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying,

Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”

— Acts 11:18

💡 An Application

When Peter returned to Jerusalem after his visit to Cornelius, some of the believers were troubled that he had gone into a Gentile’s house and even eaten with him. So Peter carefully explained everything—how God had prepared both Cornelius and himself through visions, how the Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentiles just as He had upon the apostles at Pentecost, and how the Lord confirmed His will in unmistakable ways.

Peter’s testimony silenced the critics. The church suddenly realized: God Himself had opened the door to the nations. They glorified God, acknowledging that “repentance unto life” had been granted to the Gentiles too.

Meanwhile, news of this new movement spread north to Antioch, a major city of trade and culture. There, believers began sharing the Good News not only with Jews but with Greeks also, and “a great number believed and turned unto the Lord.” When the church in Jerusalem heard of it, they sent Barnabas—a man “full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” He rejoiced at what God was doing and encouraged them all to remain steadfast in the Lord. Barnabas later brought Saul (Paul) from Tarsus to help teach the new converts, and it was there, in Antioch, that the disciples were first called Christians.

This chapter reminds us that revival often begins when God’s people embrace change and welcome others into the fellowship of faith. The Spirit is always ahead of us, breaking down walls and building bridges.

❓ A Puzzle

Why was it important for Peter to return to Jerusalem and give a clear account of what happened?

What does Barnabas’s example teach us about recognizing God’s work in others, even when it looks different from what we expect?

How does the name “Christian,” first used at Antioch, describe what believers should truly be known for today?

🙏 A Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We praise You for granting repentance and life to all who believe in Your Son.

Help us, like Peter and Barnabas, to celebrate the work of Your Spirit wherever You move.

Make us encouragers, bridge-builders, and joyful witnesses of Your grace.

Let Your church today, like the one in Antioch, be known for its love, unity, and faithfulness to Christ.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.