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ACTS - In the Triumphal Procession of Christ
Studies in the Acts of the Apostles
PART 1 - The Foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and Syria - Under the Patronage of the Apostle Peter, Guided by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1 - 12)
B - The Extension of the Gospel of Salvation to Samaria and Syria and the Beginning of Gentile Conversions (Acts 8 - 12)

10. The Establishment of a Gentile Church at Antioch (Acts 11:19-30)


ACTS 11:19-24
19 They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. 22 The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch, 23 who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.

How did the history of the church and the course of preaching develop after God’s great revelation to Peter? Did the many believers in Caesarea become a living church and an active center for preaching the gospel throughout the world? Did the power of the gospel shine through them to the nations? We do not hear of them any more.

Some refugees who had believed in Christ were living not far from Palestine, in Antioch, the chief city of Syria. It later became the third considerable city of the empire, known for its moral degradation and superficiality. Those who had previously fled the persecution at the time of Stephen’s death were dispersed into the cities of Lebanon, Cyprus, and Asia Minor. There they bore witness to Jesus, the fountain of everlasting life, in every town and village. They confined their witness, however, to their native Hellenistic Jews.

The opposite happened in Antioch, where some of the believing refugees spoke directly to the Greeks and other Gentiles. They preached without having been trained theologically, without having obtained high diplomas, and without having received any financial assistance from missionaries. They spoke to their Greek fellow-workers in trade about Jesus the Lord, who had been raised from the dead. Just as in Caesarea, the Holy Spirit was indwelling those who believed, without having been Judaized.

In Antioch this great regeneration did not cause a revolution in the synagogue of the Jews, for the Jews in this capital city had already been exposed to the preaching of Nicolas, an idolatrous Gentile, who had been converted to Judaism, and thereafter believed in Christ. Afterwards, the church in Jerusalem elected him among the seven deacons. Hence it became clear that the freedom in Antioch was greater than that in Jerusalem. Accordingly, preaching automatically started to happen.

What was the content and significance of the testimony of the preaching refugees? They could not preach Christ from the verses of the Law, for the people were ignorant of the Old Testament, the Law, and the Prophets. They called Jesus the Lord, to whom was given all authority in heaven and on earth, the One through whom are all things, and through whom we live (1 Corinthians 8:6). This Lord demands our complete commitment, obedience, and submission. We can submit to him without worry or fear, for He died for us and atoned for our sins, that we might become acceptable before the Most High. Our Lord is not a dictator, but is Himself love surrounded with power. He justifies us so that we may partake of His everlasting life, which surpasses death and corruption.

This message about divine, merciful power overcame hearts and enlightened minds, such that many came to a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus and were saved. One of the mysteries of this missionary revival in Antioch involved how it was practically communicated from one to the other. The preaching believers did not hold great meetings to promote revival, nor did they use radio or pamphlets. They conveyed the power of salvation from mouth to ear through personal contacts. This method is still the most powerful way of preaching today. Do you tell your friends about the Savior? Do you carry the Holy Spirit through your testimony about Christ? Fill your heart with the word of Jesus that your tongue may speak in His name. You will see the hand of the Lord working through you immediately.

When the apostles and elders in the early church at Jerusalem heard that many had believed in Christ in the far, evil Antioch, they were not upset by the news, like they had been when they heard about the regeneration of Cornelius and his fellows in Caesarea. Church leaders and members had realized after their conversation with Peter that God would fill all men with the Holy Spirit if they believed and continued in Him. However, in order to see if this new church was rightful and not following a misleading heresy, they appointed Barnabas, a righteous man familiar with the Roman-Greek regions, to supervise and oversee the growth of this early group of Christians.

We know the character of Barnabas from the witness given him in (4:36), and how in his fatherly love he was the connecting link between the apostles and Saul (9:27). In this text Luke testified (it is probable that he had met him personally) that this man was righteous, one who raised prayer from among the people and preached the gospel in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. He did not reject listeners if they did not understand his sermon the first time, but attended to them with great patience. He trusted God to perfect those who were fresh believers, and lead them into maturity in love.

Barnabas rejoiced greatly when he saw new life in the church of Antioch. He did not start to criticize the infirmities, nor did he interfere in problems and disagreements among the brothers. He rejoiced with those who were regenerated, and worked hard to strengthen the faith of all, that they might continue in the fullness of Christ. In this atmosphere of spiritual revival the church flourished in Antioch. Those who were mature felt that a new hope had shined into this church. A true presence of divine power appeared in it, which was not found in the different religions around them.

PRAYER: O Lord, we thank You that You have called countless unknown people into Your kingdom throughout all time. We thank You for the possibility of testifying one to another even today. We seek Your wisdom to communicate the message of salvation, with power and joy, in a simple way, that many may be saved in Your name and Your kingdom may come among us even now.

QUESTION:

  1. How did the famous church at Antioch come into being?

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