11:1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
11:17 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?
The like gift is the Holy Spirit, given by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
11:18 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 book of Acts, focused on the transition from Israel to the Gentiles, follows the diminishing of Israel, and rise of the Gentiles.
12:21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. Matthew 12:21
It was no secret that God would be gracious to the Gentiles. The means, however, the dispensation of Grace; what would be accomplished by the Cross of the Lord Jesus, was hidden.
In the Dispensation of Grace, which was not revealed til Paul, we will find no difference between Jew and Gentile, but rather, justification to eternal life to all who believe, Jew or Gentile, and the unity of being in one body.
11:19 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.
It can be seen below, why they in verse 11 above, may have went only to the Jews.
10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 10:5-6
11:20 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.
11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
The Lord was turning to Gentiles.
11:17 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?
The like gift is the Holy Spirit, given by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
11:18 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 book of Acts, focused on the transition from Israel to the Gentiles, follows the diminishing of Israel, and rise of the Gentiles.
12:21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. Matthew 12:21
It was no secret that God would be gracious to the Gentiles. The means, however, the dispensation of Grace; what would be accomplished by the Cross of the Lord Jesus, was hidden.
In the Dispensation of Grace, which was not revealed til Paul, we will find no difference between Jew and Gentile, but rather, justification to eternal life to all who believe, Jew or Gentile, and the unity of being in one body.
11:19 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.
It can be seen below, why they in verse 11 above, may have went only to the Jews.
10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 10:5-6
11:20 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.
11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
The Lord was turning to Gentiles.
