กิจการ 11:12 วิจารณ์

In this chapter we have, I. Peter's necessary vindication of what he did in receiving Cornelius and his friends into the church, from the censure he lay under for it among the brethren, and their acquiescence in it (v. 1-18). II. The good success of the gospel at Antioch, and the parts adjacent (Act 11:19-21). III. The carrying on of the good work that was begun at Antioch, by the ministry of Barnabas first, and afterwards of Paul in conjunction with him, and the lasting name of Christian first given to the disciples there (Act 11:22-26). IV. A prediction of an approaching famine, and the contribution that was made among the Gentile converts for the relief of the poor saints in Judea, upon that occasion (Act 11:27-30).

And the apostles and brethren that were in Judea,.... The rest of the twelve apostles, and the private members of the churches that were in Judea, for there were in it now more churches than that at Jerusalem, Act 9:31 heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God; as well as Samaria, Act 8:14 the news by some means or other were quickly brought to them, and no doubt but they also heard that they had received the Holy Ghost, his extraordinary gifts, as well as his special grace, though no mention is made of them.

And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting,.... See Gill on Act 10:20, moreover, these six brethren accompanied me; it seems by this, that the six brethren that went along with Peter from Joppa to Caesarea, came also with him from thence to Jerusalem, and were now present, whom he points to; so that it looks as if Peter was aware, that he should be called to an account for his conduct, when he should come to Jerusalem; and therefore brought these six brethren with him, to be witnesses for him, of what they had seen and heard, which was a very wise and prudential step: and we entered into the man's house; the house of Cornelius, for entering into whose house they were contending with him, and where he entered not alone, but the six brethren with him; the Ethiopic version wrongly reads "three".

"And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting." Do you mark that it is to the Spirit the enacting of laws belongs!

"And, behold - this too was part of his defence - three men stood at the house in which I was, sent to me from Caesarea. And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting." Do you mark that it is to the Spirit the enacting of laws belongs! "And these also accompanied me" - nothing can be more lowly, when he alleges the brethren for witnesses! - "these six men, and we entered into the man's house."

Peter showed in his defense that he had by no means been the cause, but God everywhere. For he said, he himself set me in the excess of mind, he himself pointed out the sheet, and I indeed even contradicted; again the same he himself said, and I did not hear therefore. The Spirit commanded that I should join them, and having joined I did not even run on therefore. They said that God had sent, and I did not so baptize, but again God accomplished the whole matter. God baptized, not I. For while I was yet speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon those men, and they spoke in tongues. They glorified God loudly, as do we. [CHRYSOSTOM]

But these six brothers also came with me. Beautifully, the testimony of the seven-fold number of brothers is the outpouring of the sevenfold grace of the Holy Spirit. Elsewhere. Because the world was formed in six days, the works are shown to be complete by the six brothers. They well accompany the teacher when they demonstrate to their listeners examples of perfect operation during words of exhortation.

He could have said nothing that would have revealed his humility more than his appeal to the testimony of the brethren. He does not speak of what the Angel said to Cornelius: "your prayers and your alms" (Acts 10:14), nor does he recount the righteousness of this man, nor does he report that he did so because the Spirit sent him, that God commanded him, having called him from there through an Angel, but confirms with the words "These six brothers also went with me." Because this in itself was undeniable proof.

Peter returns to Jerusalem, and is accused of having associated with the Gentiles, Rom 8:1-3. He defends himself by relating at large the whole business concerning Cornelius, Rom 8:4-17. His defense is accepted, and the whole Church glorifies God for having granted unto the Gentiles repentance unto life, Rom 8:18. An account of the proceedings of those who were scattered abroad by the persecution that was raised about Stephen; and how they had spread the Gospel among the circumcision, in Phoenice, Cyprus, and Antioch, Rom 8:19-21. The Church at Jerusalem, hearing of this, sends Barnabas to confirm them in the faith, Rom 8:22, Rom 8:23. His character, Rom 8:24. He goes to Tarsus to seek Saul, whom he brings to Antioch, where the disciples are first called Christians, Rom 8:25, Rom 8:26. Certain prophets foretell the dearth which afterwards took place in the reign of the Emperor Claudias, Rom 8:27, Rom 8:28. The disciples send relief to their poor brethren to Judea, by the hands of Barnabas and Saul, Rom 8:29, Rom 8:30.

These six brethren - Probably pointing to them, being present, as proper persons to confirm the truth of what he was delivering.

PETER VINDICATES HIMSELF BEFORE THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM FOR HIS PROCEDURE TOWARDS THE GENTILES. (Acts 11:1-18) the apostles and brethren . . . in Judea--rather, "throughout Judea."

we entered the man's house--No mention of Cornelius' name, much less of his high position, as if that affected the question. To the charge, "Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised," he simply speaks of the uncircumcised "man" to whom he had been divinely sent.