- Covered In His Dust
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- Acts Chapter 11
"When disciples followed a rabbi, they followed him closely so they would never be out of his sight, never be someplace where they couldn’t hear him speak. They followed him so closely that his sandals often kicked up dust."
May you be covered in His dust.
If this is your first time getting Covered in His Dust, WELCOME!
👇🏽 Important 👇🏽
👉🏽 Read Chapter 11 before reading my notes. If you don’t, my notes won’t make sense.
You can access previous notes on Acts and The Gospel of Luke by clicking this link:
Good morning Saints! ☀️
Headed towards a hurricane, but honestly… that’s been our life.
My family and I flew to Florida last week for a citizenship appointment for our five little ones. Our intentions were to go to the appointment on Tuesday and leave the State before Hurricane Milton made landfall on Thursday.
But when we landed on Monday afternoon, we received an email telling us that our appointment had been canceled due to the hurricane and that the office would be closed until the 15th.
The airport closed, and every single hotel room was booked 😳.
If you’d like to read about how God ripped the doors off the hinges and made a way when there seemed to be none, join our ministry newsletter below. I’ll be sending an update tomorrow night.
It’s good to be back in Guatemala and at my desk writing. Let’s get into Acts Chapter 11.
It’s important to remember that believers were seen as an offshoot of Judaism. It wasn’t a completely separate religion at first, but rather a movement within Judaism.
Early Christians, including the apostles, saw Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy, and they continued to participate in Jewish customs and practices while spreading the message of Jesus as the Messiah.
So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
The "circumcision party" was a group of Jewish Christians who were strict about following the law. They believed that Gentiles (non-Jews) had to follow specific Jewish laws, especially circumcision, to fully become followers of Jesus.
According to them, to become a Christian, you first had to become a Jew, which included being circumcised.
Don’t touch the Gentiles.
The religious leaders taught that even if you just touched a Gentile, you were considered defiled or unclean. This belief was rooted in their interpretations and traditions, not biblical commandments.
Yes, the Jews were chosen… but not to be God’s only people.
They were chosen to shine as a light in the darkness, showing the world God’s faithfulness, His justice, and His desire for everyone to turn to Him.
But Peter began and explained it to them in order:
This is the second time Peter tells the story about his vision of the unclean animals and how God showed him that no person is unclean, including Gentiles.
The repetition of Peter’s vision and the story of Cornelius in Acts seems significant.
When something is repeated in Scripture, it often means it’s important. This story marks a turning point—the moment when God makes it clear that salvation is for both Jews and Gentiles.
Repeating the story drives home the point that Gentiles don’t have to follow Jewish customs to be saved. It also shows that Peter was following God’s direct command, confirmed by the Holy Spirit.
Confirmation from the Holy Spirit came when the Gentiles received the Spirit just like the Jewish believers did, showing that God claimed them as His people.
But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’
I still don’t get it. How did God make Gentiles clean?
God "cleansed" the Gentiles in the same way He cleanses all His people,
through
their
faith
in Jesus Christ.
Not through works.
Not through tradition.
Not through sacrifices.
Not through good deeds.
Not through circumcision.
Not through human effort.
Not through religious ceremonies.
Not through following commandments.
Faith in Christ alone.
And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
Verse 16 powerfully confirms that the Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit was backed by Scripture. God's actions and plans are always in line with His Word.
If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?”
It’s as if Peter was saying, “If God baptized them in the Holy Spirit, what right did I have to interfere with God's plan?”
When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
What a powerful moment!
It shows their deep respect for both Peter's testimony and God's clear work among the Gentiles. The fact that they fell silent and then glorified God without argument demonstrates their willingness to submit to God's will, even when it went against their core beliefs.
When I read scriptures like this, it often calls me to think about my relationship with God. Do I argue? Or do I willingly submit to His will?
This Bible study is my attempt to arm myself with scripture, so that when God speaks, I’m ready to listen and respond with a heart of obedience, rather than resistance. My hope is to grow in trust and surrender, just like those early believers did when they saw God at work.
If you want to dive deeper, Galatians is a great book to better understand the tension between Jewish customs and welcoming Gentiles into the early church. It reveals how salvation comes through faith in Jesus, not following the Law, which connects to what’s happening in Acts 11. (I highly recommend reading the six short chapters.)
What does “God has granted repentance that leads to life” mean?
How have I never noticed this??? This is SO RICH.
It means that God, in His grace, gives us the opportunity to repent—to turn away from sin and turn toward Him. Repentance isn't something we achieve on our own; it's a gift from God that brings about spiritual transformation and leads to eternal life.
God ALSO gives us the ability to accept Him as Lord and Savior.
What?
I thought it was me who “accepted Jesus into my heart.” It was me who made a “personal decision for Christ.”
True. But.
Our sinful nature means we can’t naturally seek God or come to Him on our own.
"As it is written: 'None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.'"
Instead, God takes the first step by drawing us to Him and working in our hearts.
"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day."
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Being able to acknowledge our sin,
being able to see our need for God,
and having the ability to repent,
is
a
gift.
When was the last time you were given a gift that you didn’t open?
Never.
If that’s true, we should open the gift of repentance every day. God offers it to us over and over, giving us the chance to turn away from sin and come closer to Him.
It’s a gift because we don’t earn it; He gives it freely out of love.
Antioch, a cornerstone city in the early Christian movement.
Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.
Before this study, I had never thought about Antioch being such an important city for the spread of Christianity.
As we continue through Acts, we’ll see how Antioch plays a key role in shaping the early church and launching the mission to reach the Gentiles, setting the stage for the global spread of the gospel.
You and I can probably trace our spiritual roots back to Antioch, where the gospel first spread to the Gentiles and began its journey to reach the world.
For reference:
Phoenicia: Around 100-120 miles (160-190 kilometers) north of Jerusalem, depending on the specific city within Phoenicia.
Cyprus: Approximately 250 miles (400 kilometers) by sea from Jerusalem to the eastern coast of Cyprus.
Antioch: About 300 miles (480 kilometers) north of Jerusalem.
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
There are two types of Hellenists in the New Testament—Greek-speaking Jews and Greek-speaking Gentiles. In Acts 11, it's referring to Greek-speaking Gentiles. These Gentiles probably worshiped pagan gods before hearing the gospel.
When believers from Cyprus and Cyrene came to Antioch, they preached to these Gentiles. This was a huge turning point as the gospel spread beyond the Jewish community. The church was growing, and barriers between Jews and Gentiles were breaking down.
The Hellenists, being influenced by Greek culture, likely worshiped a variety of pagan gods and goddesses from ancient Greece. Some of the most prominent gods they may have worshiped include:
Zeus – The king of the gods, associated with the sky and thunder.
Hera – Zeus’s wife, the goddess of marriage and family.
Athena – The goddess of wisdom, war, and craftsmanship, especially revered in cities like Athens.
Apollo – The god of the sun, music, poetry, and prophecy.
Artemis – The goddess of the hunt and the moon.
Aphrodite – The goddess of love and beauty.
Dionysus – The god of wine, festivity, and ecstasy.
Hermes – The messenger god, associated with trade and travelers.
Poseidon – The god of the sea and earthquakes.
Demeter – The goddess of agriculture and fertility.
The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
The Christian movement was really starting to heat up in Antioch!
The church there was growing fast, and for the first time, large numbers of Gentiles were coming to faith. Antioch became a vibrant, diverse center for Christianity, with Jews and Gentiles worshiping together.
It was such a pivotal moment that the believers were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26).
Why send Barnabas?
Before this in-depth study, I could hardly tell you anything about Barnabas. I wondered, 'Why send Barnabas?'"
Barnabas' real name was Joseph (or Joses, depending on the translation). The apostles gave him the nickname Barnabas, which means "Son of Encouragement" (Acts 4:36).
He was known for his faith and encouragement, and the apostles trusted him because of his strong character. Barnabas was the perfect choice to help guide new believers.
He was also a bridge-builder. When Paul first became a believer, it was Barnabas who stood up for him (Acts 9:26-27). So, when Jewish and Gentile believers started worshiping together in Antioch, it made sense to send Barnabas because of his ability to bring people together.
for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.
Scripture doesn’t give us an exact timeline, but it seems Barnabas didn’t stay in Antioch for long before realizing he needed Paul’s help. When he arrived, he saw how God was working and encouraged the believers. But (seemingly) soon after, he headed to Tarsus to find Paul.
Is it just me, or is this all just SO GOOD? I LOVE Acts.
(It would mean a lot if you forwarded my notes to someone who would be encouraged by them.)
So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people.
Saul had been in Tarsus…
for
a
decade!
(Why have I never noticed this?!)
Saul was growing in faith.
Studying the Scriptures.
And God was preparing him for his great mission to the Gentiles.
This decade was a time of refining, gaining wisdom, and waiting for the moment to step into his bigger calling.
As Americans, we live in a microwave society where we expect everything… instantly—success, growth, and even answers from God.
We’re not used to waiting.
But Saul’s story reminds us that sometimes, God’s best work happens in the waiting.
Saul spent TEN YEARS being prepared, refined, and equipped for his great mission. It wasn’t rushed, and it wasn’t wasted time.
Paul’s background made him the perfect person for Antioch. He was a “Hebrew of Hebrews,” a Hellenist, and a Roman citizen—he could relate to both the Jewish and Gentile worlds in a way few others could.
It was exactly what was needed to help build and encourage the church there.
And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
It's fascinating that in Antioch, the disciples were first called Christians. This was the first time followers of Jesus were given a distinct name that set them apart from Judaism.
The suffix '-ian' means 'belonging to' or 'follower of,' and may have even implied 'slave of.’
So, "Christian" could be understood as "belonging to Christ the Messiah" or "servant of Christ the Messiah” or even “slave of Chrst the Messiah."
We’re almost there…
I want to take a detour here to talk about Saul (Paul). For my entire Christian life, I believed that Paul’s conversion was immediate.
He was on the road to Damascus,
hunting Christians,
he met Jesus,
was blinded,
and BOOM!
He was on the good side.
His name was changed to Paul,
and he was a Christian.
But as I study Acts, that’s not what happened. Not at all.
Saul spent TEN YEARS in his hometown of Tarsus. God wasn’t in a rush, and neither was Paul’s transformation. Those years were a time of growth, learning, and preparation for his future ministry.
This realization shows me my impatience.
Sometimes, I want immediate growth in my faith, but God doesn’t always work that way. Just like Saul, we might go through seasons of waiting or preparation. It doesn’t mean God isn’t at work—He might be preparing us for something greater.
Our transformation, like Paul’s, is a process, and God’s timing is always perfect.
Ok. Let’s wrap this up.
Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius).
The famine that Agabus prophesied, which occurred during the reign of Emperor Claudius, was documented by several historical writers outside of the Bible, most notably the Jewish historian Josephus.
In his work Antiquities of the Jews (Book 20, Chapter 2), Josephus wrote about a severe famine that affected Judea during the time of Claudius, which aligns with Acts 11:28.
Roman historians Tacitus and Suetonius also wrote about famines and hardships during Claudius' reign, though their accounts are not as detailed on this specific famine.
I don’t know how else to say it, “I loved Chapter 11!”
I’ve already begun preparing for Chapter 12, and I’m telling you… it’s rich!
(If my notes inspire you in any way, please forward them to someone who would be encouraged.)
One Minute Inspiration—you don’t want to miss this one.
I love you,
George
Uncovering Scripture
In the New Testament, "saint" refers to any Christian believer. It comes from the Greek word "hagios," meaning "holy" or "set apart." Paul often addresses believers in his letters as "saints."
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George Sisneros is a full-time missionary in Guatemala and the founder of Ordinary Missionaries and the El Rosario Christian Academy for Boys.
He’s been married to his wife, Vonda, for 26 years. He’s a father to nine children, five adopted.
George and his family are expanding to Cuba in 2024.