Daily Bread 2011 - Acts 11
The Church in Antioch
19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some 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. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and 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.
What Does This Mean?
After the stoning of Stephen, the disciples were scattered to the surrounding areas. A key area many of the disciples, including Barnabas, landed at was Antioch (modern day Turkey, just north of Syria). When Barnabas saw what a large number of people had received the grace of God, he was encouraged and soon called Paul/Saul to join them.
For a whole year they spent at Antioch teaching the large numbers of believers there. It was at this time that the believers were first called Christians, perhaps in a negative or “derisive” way.
What Does This Mean For Us?
As people came to faith through the grace of God in Jesus, there also needed to be a time for the apostles to teach the new believers the life of Christ. Oftentimes we get so excited about a new convert to the faith, that we forget that often the process of discipleship and teaching is a much longer and more intensive one.
Whereas preaching can happen to in large groups, discipleship happens best in smaller groups (less than 12). Discipleship is life on life. Teaching, application and fellowship are key components of these groups. In doing life together, there are many teachable moments where the principles of following Christ can be made clear. Saul and Barnabas took a whole year to teach these new believers what it meant to be a Christ follower.
Many churches have no clear plan for making disciples, who are then equipped to make disciples. Our church is investing time, as we speak, understanding a new approach to how we might make disciples who are trained to then make other disciples. It is very exciting though I know it will not be without its challenges as we put it into practice.
Jesus as your grace leads many more people to become your sons and daughters, help us to teach these new believers what a life of discipleship looks like in Your name, Amen.
19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some 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. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and 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.
What Does This Mean?
After the stoning of Stephen, the disciples were scattered to the surrounding areas. A key area many of the disciples, including Barnabas, landed at was Antioch (modern day Turkey, just north of Syria). When Barnabas saw what a large number of people had received the grace of God, he was encouraged and soon called Paul/Saul to join them.
For a whole year they spent at Antioch teaching the large numbers of believers there. It was at this time that the believers were first called Christians, perhaps in a negative or “derisive” way.
What Does This Mean For Us?
As people came to faith through the grace of God in Jesus, there also needed to be a time for the apostles to teach the new believers the life of Christ. Oftentimes we get so excited about a new convert to the faith, that we forget that often the process of discipleship and teaching is a much longer and more intensive one.
Whereas preaching can happen to in large groups, discipleship happens best in smaller groups (less than 12). Discipleship is life on life. Teaching, application and fellowship are key components of these groups. In doing life together, there are many teachable moments where the principles of following Christ can be made clear. Saul and Barnabas took a whole year to teach these new believers what it meant to be a Christ follower.
Many churches have no clear plan for making disciples, who are then equipped to make disciples. Our church is investing time, as we speak, understanding a new approach to how we might make disciples who are trained to then make other disciples. It is very exciting though I know it will not be without its challenges as we put it into practice.
Jesus as your grace leads many more people to become your sons and daughters, help us to teach these new believers what a life of discipleship looks like in Your name, Amen.
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