Acts 11

And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

1The apostles and other believers in Judea heard some news. People who were not Jews had also believed God's message.

2And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

2Peter went up to Jerusalem. Some Jewish believers there argued with him.

3Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

3They said, "You went into the homes of men who are not Jews. You even ate with them."

NoteIn those days, many Jews did not share meals with people from other nations. Eating together was a sign of being close friends.

4But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,

4So Peter told them the whole story. He explained it step by step, in order.

5I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

5He said, "I was praying in the city of Joppa. God showed me a picture while I was awake. I saw something like a big sheet coming down from the sky. It was held by its four corners. It came right down to me.

6Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

6"I looked at it closely. Inside were animals that walk on four feet. There were wild animals, crawling animals, and birds.

7And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.

7"Then I heard a voice say to me, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.'

8But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.

8"I said, 'No, Lord. I have never eaten anything dirty or not allowed.'

NotePeter is talking about food rules God gave the Jews long before. Some foods were not allowed, and Peter had always obeyed those rules.

9But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

9"The voice from the sky spoke again. It said, 'God has made these things clean. So do not call them dirty.'

10And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

10"This happened three times. Then it was all pulled back up into the sky.

11And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.

11"Right then three men came to the house where I was staying. They had been sent to me from the city of Caesarea.

12And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:

12"The Spirit told me to go with them and not worry. These six brothers came with me too. We went into the man's house.

13And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

13"He told us he had seen an angel standing in his house. The angel said, 'Send men to Joppa. Ask for Simon, who is also called Peter.

14Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

14"'He will tell you a message. That message will save you and everyone in your house.'

15And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

15"When I started talking, the Holy Spirit came on them. It was just like what happened to us at the start.

16Then 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.

16"Then I remembered what the Lord had said. He said, 'John washed people with water. But you will be washed with the Holy Spirit.'

17Forasmuch 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?

17"God gave them the very same gift he gave us who trust the Lord Jesus Christ. So how could I stand in God's way?"

18When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

18When they heard this, they stopped arguing. They praised God and said, "So God has let people who are not Jews turn to him and live."

19Now 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.

19Some believers had run away when Stephen was killed and others were hurt. They traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. They told the message only to Jews.

20And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the LORD Jesus.

20But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene. They came to Antioch and spoke to Greek people too. They shared the good news about the Lord Jesus.

21And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

21The Lord's power was with them. Many people believed and turned to the Lord.

22Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

22The church in Jerusalem heard this news. So they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

23Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

23When he came, he saw how kind God had been to them. He was glad. He told them all to stay close to the Lord with all their heart.

24For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

24Barnabas was a good man. He was full of the Holy Spirit and full of faith. Many more people came to the Lord.

25Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

25Then Barnabas went to the city of Tarsus to look for Saul.

26And 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.

26He found him and brought him back to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church there. They taught a great many people. In Antioch the followers were first called Christians.

27And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

27During that time some prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. A prophet is someone who tells people what God says.

28And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

28One of them was named Agabus. He stood up and said, by the Spirit, that a great hunger was coming everywhere. This happened later, when Claudius was the ruler of Rome.

Note"Great dearth" means a famine, a time when food is very hard to find.

29Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

29So the followers decided to send help to the believers living in Judea. Each one gave what he was able to give.

30Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

30That is what they did. They sent the gift to the church leaders. Barnabas and Saul carried it for them.