Act 11:1-3 | Barnes | STEP | CHAPTER 11 Verse 1. And the apostles and brethren . The Christians who were in Judea. Heard , etc. So extraordinary an occurrence as that at Caesarea, the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles, and their reception into the church, would excite attention, and be likely to produce much sensibility in regard to the conduct of Peter and those with him. It was so contrary to all the ideas of the Jews, that it is not to be wondered at that it led to contention.

Acts 11:1-3

CHAPTER 11

Verse 1. And the apostles and brethren. The Christians who were in Judea.

Heard, etc. So extraordinary an occurrence as that at Caesarea, the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles, and their reception into the church, would excite attention, and be likely to produce much sensibility in regard to the conduct of Peter and those with him. It was so contrary to all the ideas of the Jews, that it is not to be wondered at that it led to contention. Verse 2. They that were of the circumcision. The Christians who had been converted from among the Jews.

Contended with him. Disputed, or reproved him; charged him with being in fault. This is one of the circumstances which show conclusively that the apostles and early Christians did not regard Peter as having any particular supremacy over the church, or as being in any peculiar sense the vicar of Christ upon earth. If Peter had been regarded as having the authority which the Roman Catholics claim for him, they would have submitted at once to what he had thought proper to do. But the primitive Christians had no such idea of his authority. This claim for Peter is not only opposed to this place, but to every part of the New Testament.

(m) "they that were of the circumcision" Acts 10:23,28, Gal 2:12 Verse 3. And didst eat with them. Acts 10:13,14.