Acts 11:19-21
Growing the Church
Great things are happening in Antioch. For the first time in history, the gospel is being taught to the gentiles. This is the third step to opening the message of salvation to the gentiles. First, Phillip preached to the Samaritans. The Samaritans were half Jewish providing a bridge to the Gentiles. Next, Peter accepted the hospitality from Cornelius and taught he and his household. The Holy Spirit fell upon them in the presence of the brethren from Joppa. And now, the Christians in Antioch are deliberately teaching the Gentiles there.
Antioch was the third greatest city at this time next to Rome and Alexandria. Antioch was a progressive, cosmopolitan city. They were known for their pagan worship of Daphne. When they talked about someone living the morals of Daphne, they were talking about someone who was engaged in loose living. The city was ripe for the message of the gospel. They were first called Christians here. The term was intended to be derogatory, but they took advantage of the label and made it work for them.
Acts 11:22-26
The church in Jerusalem were hearing about the gospel being offered to Gentiles in Antioch, so they sent someone to check it out. They sent Barnabas with the big heart and continuous encouragement to see what was happening. This turns out to be a very good thing because he assesses the situation and thinks of Saul in Tarsus.
Saul has not been heard from in about nine years. He has been living and working in Tarsus and witnessing during this time. The stage was set for launching his ministry. Barnabas brings him to Antioch and puts Saul in charge of the work there. They spend the next year working with the church in Antioch where disciples were first called Christians.
Barnabas immediately understood that the Christians in Antioch were going to need help by someone who would continually teach the truth of the gospel and stay on track in a very luxuriously immoral city.
What talents do the Christians need in your area?
Acts 11:27-30
Helping those in trouble
The prophets in the early church arrive on the scene. They arrive several places through what was recorded about the early church in Acts 13:1, 15:32, and 21:9-10.
Three types of leaders in the early church were apostles, elders, and the prophets. The apostles authority extended to all of the church, not confined to an area or congregation. The elders were the local leaders of the church with authority confined to the congregation where they are members.
The word prophet means foreteller or fourth-teller. They foretold the future. They were highly revered in the church and important to keep unity in the church. Christians realized the need to be unified even in the beginning. They helped each other when they were in trouble.
Next week, more trouble for the church from Acts 12.
Have a Great Week!
Brad
