< Acts 11 >

Jesus declared “salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22)Waiting for response for John 4:22 but at the same time spoke of the inclusion of people of all other nations “when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him” (John 4:22-23).Waiting for response for John 4:22-23 All these Gentiles were “aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12)Waiting for response for Ephesians 2:12 but their position before God was completely transformed if, like Cornelius, they believed and were baptized, for then they were “no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).Waiting for response for Ephesians 2:19

The Jews who had become Christians were at first antagonistic to the development that Gentiles were invited to be saved “and when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision [the Jews] contended with him, saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised [the Gentiles], and didst eat with them”. Peter, however, described what had happened and showed that it was clearly the purpose of God, and “when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life”.

The gospel was then preached further afield into northern Palestine “and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord”. In Antioch, in particular, many believed the gospel and Barnabas was sent to exhort and encourage the new converts “that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord”. Barnabas then brought Saul to Antioch, where they would later go forth to preach the truth in Asia Minor.