Daily Bread Acts 11
Daily Bread Acts 11
The Church in Antioch
19Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
22News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
27During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. 30This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Observation:
Once again the persecution, though not a good thing, caused of the spread of Christianity, as believers were dispersed to different parts of the known world. As they preached God’s Word, God’s favor was with them (a big common denominator in every move of God) and many came to faith. (see map below of the areas mentioned)
When Paul was sent from Jerusalem, he saw evidence that the grace of God had fallen on these new Greek believers. It would be interesting to know what some of those evidences were. But the point is when the grace of God falls upon someone there is recognizable evidence. If nothing happens to a person when they receive God’s grace you would have to wonder if they have really experienced God.
After this event, Paul and Barnabas spend a whole year teaching these new converts about the new life in Christ. It was Antioch that the believers were first called Christians. Which means “little Christ”, or “Christ-follower.
Application:
What evidence do people see in your life that shows God’s grace has visited your life? Although we are not saved by works, or outward shows of religiosity, when God’s grace touches your life you are never the same. Why?
Because when you discover that God loves you unconditionally and sent His One and Only Son to die for you, and this fact grips your life; you become a new creation. When you accept this fact, the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you know without a shadow of a doubt that you are a believer. The Holy Spirit confirms your faith and takes residence in your life and reminds and teaches you what Jesus taught. And of course it is important to be in God’s Word, because God’s Word has the power to change your life and teach you a new way of living based on the example Christ gave us.
Although our whole lives are spent becoming like Christ, there is a definite strong evidence, or change of heart, when we first come into a personal relationship with Christ. The feelings are so strong, that often one wants to make a strong break with anything in their life that doesn’t reflect God’s desire for them. This whole process of the Holy Spirit setting us apart to become more like Jesus is called “sanctification”.
Prayer: Take some time to reflect on what it was like to first come to know God’s love for you in Christ. What were your thoughts and feelings? How did this discovery of grace change your life? What evidences would someone see if they were to know you before you met Christ, and after? If you are not sure if you have discovered or experienced the grace of God in Christ Jesus, all you have to do is to ask Jesus into your life.
A simple prayer we say on the Alpha Course is Sorry, Thank You, Please. It goes something like this: Sorry God for the things I have done wrong in my life. Thank you for sending Jesus to save me from all of my sins past, present and future. Please come into my life and send Your Holy Spirit to lead and guide me all the rest of my life. Amen.
The Church in Antioch
19Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
22News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
27During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. 30This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Observation:
Once again the persecution, though not a good thing, caused of the spread of Christianity, as believers were dispersed to different parts of the known world. As they preached God’s Word, God’s favor was with them (a big common denominator in every move of God) and many came to faith. (see map below of the areas mentioned)
When Paul was sent from Jerusalem, he saw evidence that the grace of God had fallen on these new Greek believers. It would be interesting to know what some of those evidences were. But the point is when the grace of God falls upon someone there is recognizable evidence. If nothing happens to a person when they receive God’s grace you would have to wonder if they have really experienced God.
After this event, Paul and Barnabas spend a whole year teaching these new converts about the new life in Christ. It was Antioch that the believers were first called Christians. Which means “little Christ”, or “Christ-follower.
Application:
What evidence do people see in your life that shows God’s grace has visited your life? Although we are not saved by works, or outward shows of religiosity, when God’s grace touches your life you are never the same. Why?
Because when you discover that God loves you unconditionally and sent His One and Only Son to die for you, and this fact grips your life; you become a new creation. When you accept this fact, the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you know without a shadow of a doubt that you are a believer. The Holy Spirit confirms your faith and takes residence in your life and reminds and teaches you what Jesus taught. And of course it is important to be in God’s Word, because God’s Word has the power to change your life and teach you a new way of living based on the example Christ gave us.
Although our whole lives are spent becoming like Christ, there is a definite strong evidence, or change of heart, when we first come into a personal relationship with Christ. The feelings are so strong, that often one wants to make a strong break with anything in their life that doesn’t reflect God’s desire for them. This whole process of the Holy Spirit setting us apart to become more like Jesus is called “sanctification”.
Prayer: Take some time to reflect on what it was like to first come to know God’s love for you in Christ. What were your thoughts and feelings? How did this discovery of grace change your life? What evidences would someone see if they were to know you before you met Christ, and after? If you are not sure if you have discovered or experienced the grace of God in Christ Jesus, all you have to do is to ask Jesus into your life.
A simple prayer we say on the Alpha Course is Sorry, Thank You, Please. It goes something like this: Sorry God for the things I have done wrong in my life. Thank you for sending Jesus to save me from all of my sins past, present and future. Please come into my life and send Your Holy Spirit to lead and guide me all the rest of my life. Amen.
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