October 18 Daily Devotional

Acts 11

“The apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they of the circumcision contended with him, saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.” But Peter rehearsed the story of Cornelius and how an angel had appeared unto him; about the men that had been sent to Joppa; also about his vision of the vessel with the unclean animals and about the voice that said, “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” He told them, how he had gone up to Caesarea and brought the message of salvation to Cornelius and his house, and how the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles. Finally he said, “Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Joses (who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, a Levite and of the country of Cyprus), that he should go as far as Antioch … For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith … who, when he came to Antioch, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should cleave unto the Lord … and much people was added unto the Lord.

Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” At that time a great dearth took place. Then the disciples at Antioch determined to send relief unto the brethren in Judea. Every man gave according to his ability, and the amount was sent to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.