It is very interesting here to find Peter on the defensive. We have always thought of him as masterful and strong, the born leader of men, whose authority was absolutely indisputable. But here we see him taken seriously to task by the mother Church, and compelled to show the grounds of his unprecedented action. Here also appears the first clear indication of the rift which was, in due course, to develop in the Church, between the converted Jews, who insisted that Gentiles must become Jews before becoming Christians, and those of more liberal views, who began to understand that in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision availed anything, but a new creature, Galatians 6:15, and faith working by love, Galatians 5:6. This division was the cause of Paul's embittered and life-long persecution.
But the first decision of those in the church in Jerusalem was a perfectly just one, Acts 11:18. The facts compelled a favorable verdict upon Peter's action. They tacitly confessed that the seal of God's approval had been unmistakably affixed to his action, and that he had no alternative. When a man lives in union with the Spirit of God, crooked things become straight and rough places plain, Isaiah 40:4. [source]
Chapter Summary: Acts 11
1Peter, being accused for preaching to the Gentiles, 5makes his defense; 18which is accepted 19The gospel being spread in Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, 22Barnabas is sent to confirm them 26The disciples are first called Christians at Antioch 27They send relief to the brothers in Judea in time of famine
Greek Commentary for Acts 11:7
A voice saying [πωνης λεγουσης] Genitive case after ηκουσα ēkousa (cf. Acts 9:7 and accusative Acts 9:4 which see for discussion). Participle λεγουσης legousēs (present active of λεγω legō) agreeing with πωνης phōnēs a kind of indirect discourse use of the participle. [source]
What do the individual words in Acts 11:7 mean?
I heardthenalsoa voicesayingto meHaving risen upPeterkillandeat
Greek Commentary for Acts 11:7
Genitive case after ηκουσα ēkousa (cf. Acts 9:7 and accusative Acts 9:4 which see for discussion). Participle λεγουσης legousēs (present active of λεγω legō) agreeing with πωνης phōnēs a kind of indirect discourse use of the participle. [source]