2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him
2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying,
2 When Peter got back to Jerusalem, some of his old associates, concerned about circumcision, called him on the carpet:
2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him,
2 But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem, the Jewish believers criticized him.
3 and said, "You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them."
3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
3 "You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them."
3 "What do you think you're doing rubbing shoulders with that crowd, eating what is prohibited and ruining our good name?"
3 saying, "You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!"
3 "You entered the home of Gentiles and even ate with them!" they said.
(Read Acts 11:1-18)
The imperfect state of human nature strongly appears, when godly persons are displeased even to hear that the word of God has been received, because their own system has not been attended to. And we are too apt to despair of doing good to those who yet, when tried, prove very teachable. It is the bane and damage of the church, to shut out those from it, and from the benefit of the means of grace, who are not in every thing as we are. Peter stated the whole affair. We should at all times bear with the infirmities of our brethren; and instead of taking offence, or answering with warmth, we should explain our motives, and show the nature of our proceedings. That preaching is certainly right, with which the Holy Ghost is given. While men are very zealous for their own regulations, they should take care that they do not withstand God; and those who love the Lord will glorify him, when made sure that he has given repentance to life to any fellow-sinners. Repentance is God's gift; not only his free grace accepts it, but his mighty grace works it in us, grace takes away the heart of stone, and gives us a heart of flesh. The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit.
15 "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning.
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.
15 "So I started in, talking. Before I'd spoken half a dozen sentences, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as he did on us the first time.
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.
15 "As I began to speak," Peter continued, "the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as he fell on us at the beginning.
(Read Acts 11:1-18)
The imperfect state of human nature strongly appears, when godly persons are displeased even to hear that the word of God has been received, because their own system has not been attended to. And we are too apt to despair of doing good to those who yet, when tried, prove very teachable. It is the bane and damage of the church, to shut out those from it, and from the benefit of the means of grace, who are not in every thing as we are. Peter stated the whole affair. We should at all times bear with the infirmities of our brethren; and instead of taking offence, or answering with warmth, we should explain our motives, and show the nature of our proceedings. That preaching is certainly right, with which the Holy Ghost is given. While men are very zealous for their own regulations, they should take care that they do not withstand God; and those who love the Lord will glorify him, when made sure that he has given repentance to life to any fellow-sinners. Repentance is God's gift; not only his free grace accepts it, but his mighty grace works it in us, grace takes away the heart of stone, and gives us a heart of flesh. The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 11:2
Commentary on Acts 11:1-18
(Read Acts 11:1-18)
The imperfect state of human nature strongly appears, when godly persons are displeased even to hear that the word of God has been received, because their own system has not been attended to. And we are too apt to despair of doing good to those who yet, when tried, prove very teachable. It is the bane and damage of the church, to shut out those from it, and from the benefit of the means of grace, who are not in every thing as we are. Peter stated the whole affair. We should at all times bear with the infirmities of our brethren; and instead of taking offence, or answering with warmth, we should explain our motives, and show the nature of our proceedings. That preaching is certainly right, with which the Holy Ghost is given. While men are very zealous for their own regulations, they should take care that they do not withstand God; and those who love the Lord will glorify him, when made sure that he has given repentance to life to any fellow-sinners. Repentance is God's gift; not only his free grace accepts it, but his mighty grace works it in us, grace takes away the heart of stone, and gives us a heart of flesh. The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit.