Acts 11 - Don't Be A Christian In Name Only!
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.
Acts 11 is a significant chapter, as the church's mission and outreach extends into new areas of mission. The persecuted Christians were exiled into Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. Because these people were Jews, they primarily preached to other Jews. Yet, some of them from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch and preached to the Gentiles.
Here is a little historical context regarding Antioch.
Antioch was about 300 miles (480 kilometers) north of Jerusalem and about 20 miles (32 kilometers) inland from the Mediterranean Sea. Many considered Syrian Antioch the third greatest city in the Roman Empire, behind Rome and Alexandria. Antioch was known for its business and commerce, for its sophistication and culture, but also for its immorality. (Guzik)
“The city’s reputation for moral laxity was enhanced by the cult of Artemis and Apollo at Daphne, five miles distant, where the ancient Syrian worship of Astarte and her consort, with its ritual prostitution, was carried on.” (Bruce)
When the church in Jerusalem heard this (apparently this news traveled fast), they sent Barnabas, who was a good man of faith and full of the Spirit. Note the repeated emphasis on being full of the Spirit. This qualification is used many times to describe those who were deemed spiritually mature and ready for more responsibility in the church.
Barnabas encouraged them to remain faithful to the Lord and carry on their ministry. Note that the "hand of the Lord" was on them. The key to our success is that the Lord's hand is on us. Without the anointing of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we have a little chance of success. It is the Lord's hand that leads people to the Lord, as they are convicted by the Holy Spirit. It is not a personality, style of worship, or style of preaching, but the simple Word of God delivered in the power of the Holy Spirit. The same is true today!
Barnabas went Tarsus to look for Saul and found him. I am sure Barnabas was so excited to tell Saul of what was happening in Anticoh. Immediately Saul and Barnabas went back to Antioch. Why?
They taught the believers for a year. What did they teach them? The dating is about 44-46 A.D.. They did not have the New Testament as we have it today. So it is likely that they taught them about the Old Testament, the covenants with Abraham, David, and Moses, and how Jesus fulfilled all of the prophesises of the Old Teatament.
This reminds us that it is not enough to only lead people to Christ. They need to be taught and discipled. Saul and Barnabas taught them for a full year. This shows us that discipleship doesn't happen overnight. Along they way, the also equipped them to carry on the ministry and mission of the Church.
We see evidence of their discipleship as it says of Acts 11:29-30
"The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul."
They didn't just care about their own, but also their brothers and sisters in Judea. They each gave according to their ability, which is the model we use for generosity in the church today as well.
Finally, it was in Antioch the believers were first called "Christians".
Believers in Antioch were first called Christians (Acts 11:26) because their distinct behavior, speech, and focus on Jesus made them stand out from the surrounding Roman/Greek culture. The name, meaning "belonging to the party of Christ," was likely a satirical or descriptive nickname given by outsiders rather than a self-assigned title
1. Do you consider yourself a Christian? In what ways do you stand out in the world, as a Christ follower? Do you, as Paul says in Romans 12, "Conform to the world?" Or, are you, "being transformed by the renewing of your mind?"
2. Many Christians today try to blend in the world. We are called to be a "salt" and "light". Salt preserves and light revaels the truth.
Jesus, you called us and set us apart like Saul and Barnabas. You gave us the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies and keeps us in the true faith? May we not be "Christians" in name only. Help us to reflect you in everything we say and do, so that we might lead others to You! Amen.
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