How does Acts 11 fit into the book of Acts as a transition?
Acts 11 marks a transition in the book of Acts from an all-Jewish outreach toward the Gentile mission. Though scattered believers initially preached to Jews only, the chapter shows the Jewish program slipping away and the transition to Gentiles kicking into higher gear, as Peter's earlier Cornelius experience and Paul's Gentile calling begin to reshape the narrative.
Les explains that Acts is a transitional book, and chapter 11 is where the transition kicks into a higher gear. Up to that point the program had been all Jewish: Saul was converted on Gentile ground outside Damascus, and Peter went to the house of Gentiles at Cornelius in Caesarea. Now in Acts 11, more of the transition to the Gentile and a further slipping away of the Jewish program appears. Verse 19 shows believers scattered by the persecution around Stephen traveling as far as Phoenus, Cyprus, and Atioch, yet preaching the word to none but Jews only. That verse opened Les's eyes years ago, because it proves the gospel was still confined to Israel and these Jewish believers had no concept of going to Gentiles.