Acts 11:1 Cross References - AUV

¹ Now the apostles and the [other] brothers in Judea heard that the Gentiles had responded to the message of God.

¹¹ And I [also] say to you, that many people will come from the east and the west and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

⁵ As they were entering the cave, they were amazed when they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting at the right side of the entrance.

³² [to be] a light for revealing [God’s way of salvation] to the [unconverted] Gentiles, and a [source of] glory to your people, the Israelites.”

¹⁴ Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had responded to the message of God, they sent Peter and John to them. ¹⁵ When these two apostles had come [to Samaria] they prayed for some [of the disciples] to receive [miraculous power from] the Holy Spirit,

³⁴ Then Peter began to speak. He said, "I perceive that God truly does not show favoritism toward anyone, ³⁵ but that whoever respects Him and does what is right, whatever country he may be from, is acceptable to Him. ³⁶ He sent His message [first] to the Israelites; [it involved] preaching the good news through Jesus Christ (who is Lord of all). ³⁷ You yourselves know [all this, and] how this message was proclaimed throughout Judea, having begun from Galilee after the preaching of the immersion [taught and practiced] by John. ³⁸ This message was about Jesus from Nazareth and how God specially chose Him [and signified it] by giving Him the Holy Spirit and power. He traveled all over doing good [for people] and healing everyone who was [being] oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

²⁷ And when they arrived [in Antioch of Syria], they gathered the church together and reported everything that God had done through them and how He had opened a door [of opportunity] for the [unconverted] Gentiles to [enter] the faith.

³ So, they were sent on their way with the backing of the [Antioch] church and traveled through both Phoenicia and Samaria, telling them about the conversion of the Gentiles. This brought great rejoicing to all the brothers [who heard about it].

⁷ So, welcome one another, just as Christ has welcomed you [or, “us”], as a way of honoring God. ⁸ For I tell you that Christ was [appointed] to be a servant of the circumcised ones [i.e., the Jews], in order to uphold the truth of God. This was so He could confirm [as valid] the promises made to our forefathers, ⁹ and so that the Gentiles [also] may honor God for His mercy, as it is written [Psa. 18:49], “Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing to your name.” [Note: Paul here accommodates the words of King David by applying them to Jews participating with Gentiles in praising God as part of the one body]. ¹⁰ And again it says [Deut. 32:43], “Rejoice with His people [i.e., the Jews], you Gentiles.” ¹¹ And again [Psa. 117:1], “Praise the Lord, all of you Gentiles, and let all the nations praise Him.” ¹² And again, Isaiah says [11:10], “A root [i.e., a descendant] from Jesse will appear [i.e., Christ], and He will rise up to rule over the nations, and the Gentiles will place their hope in Him.”

¹⁷ I did not go up to Jerusalem to [discuss it with] those who had become apostles before me either; instead I went away into Arabia. [Note: This is probably when Paul received supernatural power from the Holy Spirit]. Then afterward, I returned to Damascus. [Note: This was in Syria where Paul was converted]. ¹⁸ Then, three years later I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas [i.e., Peter], and stayed with him for fifteen days. ¹⁹ But [on this trip] I did not see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. [Note: This “James” was not one of the original twelve apostles. See Matt. 10:2-4]. ²⁰ Now [realizing I am] in God’s presence, I am not lying about any of these things. ²¹ [Then after that] I went to the territories of Syria and Cilicia. [Note: Cilicia was where Paul’s home town of Tarsus was located. See Acts 9:30]. ²² [At this time] I was still unknown personally to churches in [the province of] Judea, which are in [fellowship with] Christ.