111 And the apostles and the brethren who were in Judaea heard that the nations also had received the word of God; 2 and when Peter went up to Jerusalem, they of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised and hast eaten with them. 4 But Peter began and set forth [the matter] to them in order, saying, 5 I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in an ecstasy I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending like a great sheet, let down by four corners out of heaven, and it came even to me: 6 on which having fixed mine eyes, I considered, and saw the quadrupeds of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the creeping things, and the fowls of the heaven. 7 And I heard also a voice saying to me, Rise up, Peter, slay and eat. 8 And I said, In no wise, Lord, for common or unclean has never entered into my mouth. 9 And a voice answered the second time out of heaven, What God has cleansed, do not thou make common. 10 And this took place thrice, and again all was drawn up into heaven;
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 11:1-10
Commentary on Acts 11:1-18
(Read Acts 11:1-18)
The imperfect state of human nature strongly appears, when godly persons are displeased even to hear that the word of God has been received, because their own system has not been attended to. And we are too apt to despair of doing good to those who yet, when tried, prove very teachable. It is the bane and damage of the church, to shut out those from it, and from the benefit of the means of grace, who are not in every thing as we are. Peter stated the whole affair. We should at all times bear with the infirmities of our brethren; and instead of taking offence, or answering with warmth, we should explain our motives, and show the nature of our proceedings. That preaching is certainly right, with which the Holy Ghost is given. While men are very zealous for their own regulations, they should take care that they do not withstand God; and those who love the Lord will glorify him, when made sure that he has given repentance to life to any fellow-sinners. Repentance is God's gift; not only his free grace accepts it, but his mighty grace works it in us, grace takes away the heart of stone, and gives us a heart of flesh. The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit.