Pastor Paul Wingfield continued the church’s series through the Book of Acts by preaching from Acts 11, which serves as both a recap of Acts 10 and a critical turning point in church history. This chapter reveals how early Jewish Christians responded to the gospel reaching Gentiles and how the early church began expanding across cultural and ethnic barriers.
After Peter’s transformative experience with the Gentile Cornelius, news begins to spread that Gentiles are receiving the word of God. But instead of excitement, Peter is met with criticism from a group of strict Jewish believers known as the “circumcision party.” Their concern? That Peter entered the home of a Gentile and shared a meal with them.
Pastor Paul highlighted a key truth: when you serve and obey God, expect criticism—even from other believers. Many think obedience should bring applause, but the early church shows us that following God’s leading often disrupts religious comfort zones.
Peter responds to the criticism by retelling his experience: his vision from God, the Spirit’s command to go to Cornelius’s house, and the undeniable sign that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles just like it had been on the Jews at Pentecost. Peter asks, “Who was I to think I could stand in God’s way?”—making it clear this was not his idea, but God’s doing.
That testimony leads to a moment of clarity: the critics praise God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.” While it appears the issue is resolved, Pastor Paul warned that this would remain a tension throughout the New Testament, as these same critics would often reappear to stir division and insist that Gentiles must follow Jewish customs to be fully accepted.
Acts 11 then shifts focus to how the gospel began to spread more widely. Luke tells us that after Stephen’s martyrdom, believers were scattered and shared the gospel only with other Jews. But soon, unnamed men from Cyprus and Cyrene arrived in Antioch and began preaching to Gentiles. Many responded, and a thriving church began to form. Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem to investigate and, seeing God’s work, he encouraged the new believers and brought Saul (Paul) from Tarsus to help disciple them. For a full year, Paul and Barnabas taught these new Christians.
Antioch, Pastor Paul explained, was a massive and diverse city—an ideal launching point for global gospel impact. Notably, the term “Christian” was first used in Antioch, not as a compliment, but as a derogatory label given by outsiders. The early church would eventually adopt the title as a badge of honor, proudly identifying as followers of Christ.
One of the most powerful takeaways of this message came near the end, when Pastor Paul emphasized how the gospel demolishes walls of division and hostility. He reminded the congregation:
“Everybody with every background is welcome to come into our church, die to themselves and live for Jesus—to put their faith in Jesus. Everyone is welcome.”
He then contrasted that with the world’s flawed attempt at unity:
“The culture loves—the world loves—the idea of tolerance and acceptance. But have things gotten better in America or worse? I find it fascinating that the culture claims it wants tolerance, acceptance, and social justice—and yet things have gotten worse. They spend all their time talking about our differences and turning people against each other, creating more hostility. That’s what social justice, according to the culture, has done. But the answer—the answer to the problem—is the church. The answer is Christianity. The answer is Jesus.”
He argued that culture’s version of tolerance fails because it’s built on division, while true peace and equality are only possible through heart transformation in Jesus. The church must not surrender that message to politicians, celebrities, or educators. It’s the gospel that brings real healing, real unity, and real hope.
The chapter ends with a beautiful reversal: after Gentiles had received the gospel, they hear of a famine affecting believers in Judea and take up a financial offering to support them. Those who were once outsiders now became the generous supporters—a full-circle demonstration of grace-fueled unity only possible through Christ.
Pastor Paul concluded by asking two questions:
To believers: Are you making yourself available to be used by God like Peter, Barnabas, or those unnamed evangelists who changed the world?
To seekers: What are you waiting for? Jesus has already done the work. Salvation is a free gift—you just need to receive it.
He closed with a call to surrender, reminding everyone that only through Jesus can we have new hearts, new purpose, and eternal life. If you’re ready to say yes to Him, the invitation is open. The church—and the kingdom—is for everyone.
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