THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH
Acts 11:19-30
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. (26)
chapter 11
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.
27. During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28. One 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.)
29. The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea.
30. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1. Many who had been scattered after the death of Stephen became effective witnesses, spreading the message far and wide. Most spoke only to Jews, yet a few from Cyprus and Cyrene went to the Greeks in Antioch, telling them about the Good News of Jesus. God blessed their decision and opened a great work among the Gentiles. Barnabas was pleased to see God'sgrace and encouraged them to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was full of the Holy Spirit and faith. While he was there a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
2. Barnabas realized he needed help and went to find Saul in Tarsus. He knew Saul'szeal and tremendous potential as a Bible teacher, and the two of them worked closely for a whole year teaching great numbers of people. These new believers were so passionate for Christ that they were the first to be known as Christians. They were also a giving church. It seems they learned Barnabas' heart to support the wider community of believers. God would establish the Antioch church at the heart of world mission.
Prayer: Father, please help me to raise disciples to follow Christ. Bless our church community to be passionate for Jesus and to share with others materially and sacrificially.
One Word: They were the first to be called Christians