(མཛད་པ། 11:1-18)

 

Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” But Peter began and explained it to them in order: “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

(Acts 11:1-8)

 

The leaders and other members of the church in Jerusalem are critical of Peter for staying with non-Jews.

Today also people, even Christian people, may say to preachers, “How can you go into monasteries ( dgon pa ) ? They have their own religion; just leave them alone.”

However, this passage tells us that it is right for Christians to explain to anyone how the cross of Jesus Christ is the way to forgiveness, even to Buddhists who want to know. And that is because God wants them also to have unfading life.

(མཛད་པ། 11:19-26)

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. 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. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 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. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. (Acts 11:19-26)

 

Many people from a different cultural background in Antioch the capital of the province of Syria  were now coming to faith in Yeshu.

As a result, perhaps as a Greek nickname spreading around in the large city, believers were being called Christians ( khi r’i’ si tho pa ) , meaning Messiah-men (ma shi ga pa) .

They were people of the Way, those who had chosen the short way of salvation (thar pa’ lam ) through the Saviour Yeshu who had said, “I am the Way”. They were Yeshu-men ( ye shu pa ).

(མཛད་པ། 11:27-30)

 

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). So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:27-30)

 

Because of the prophecy it was possible for the believers in Antioch to save up money in advance for the relief of the coming famine in Judea.

God commands us to love one another. This prophecy shows us one way in which God will help believers who want to serve each other.