Matthew Henry Commentary Acts 11:1-18

"Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. But Peter began, and expounded [the matter] unto them in order, saying, I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me: upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven. And I heard also a voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth. But a voice answered the second time out of heaven, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common. And this was done thrice: and all were drawn up again into heaven. And behold, forthwith three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent from Caesarea unto me. And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man`s house: and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter; who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house. And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit. If then God gave unto them the like gift as [he did] also unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God? And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life." — Acts 11:1-18 (ASV)

The imperfect state of human nature strongly appears when godly people are displeased even to hear that the word of God has been received, because their own system has not been followed. And we are too prone to despair of doing good to those who, however, when tested, prove to be very teachable. It is the ruin and harm of the church, to shut out those from it, and from the benefit of the means of grace, who are not in every respect as we are.

Peter stated the whole matter. We should at all times be patient with the weaknesses of our fellow believers; and instead of taking offense, or responding angrily, we should explain our motives and show the nature of our actions. That preaching is certainly right, with which the Holy Spirit is given. While people are very zealous for their own regulations, they should be careful not to oppose God; and those who love the Lord will glorify Him, once assured that He has given repentance to life to any fellow sinners.

Repentance is God's gift; not only does His free grace accept it, but His mighty grace also 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.