Acts 11:19-30 The Church in Antioch

We take another turn today and leave Peter; we return to all the disciples that had been scattered. What had they been up to all this time? Well, they were proclaiming the “good news about the Lord Jesus.” They started out only sharing this life-altering news with Jews, but then some went to Antioch and spoke to Greeks also.

I wonder did news of Peter’s experience in Caesarea spread. Did the scattered disciples hear this news and decide it was okay to share the story of Jesus with others? Or did they move in this direction on their own? Did they feel the sting of rejection from Jews and decide it was time to go in another direction?

One thing is certain, God approved of what was happening. Luke makes a point of telling us that “the Lord’s hand was with them.” Many people believed and turned to God. I love the image of turning to God; it means we turn from our own ugliness: hate, lust, greed, laziness, gluttony, jealousy, etc. We turn to the beauty of God: love, forgiveness, peace and grace. What an awesome view!

Once the news of what was happening in Antioch reached Jerusalem they sent Barnabas. Sending Barnabas was responsible “discipling” to make sure that these new converts were learning the truth, but it was also uplifting for these new followers of Christ since Barnabas was encouraging them to keep the faith and he was full of the Holy Spirit.

It can be hard to hold onto something you can’t see, hear, taste or touch when your family and friends think you’ve gone crazy. You’ve been baptized!? You’re following this fellow who was crucified like a common criminal!? Have you lost you’re mind? Now you have to share everything you have and give up the drinking, over-indulging, do what feels good lifestyle. Why would you do that? 

Barnabas then goes to Tarsus to get Saul and bring him back to Antioch. Was Barnabas getting tired, overwhelmed and drained trying to “do” the ministry by himself? Did he realize that more than one voice was needed to reach these people? How much easier life must have been once he could share the burden of teaching and encouraging all those people. How much easier it must have been to share the frustrations of dealing with so many personalities, having someone to lean.

Barnabas and Saul spent a year with the believers in Antioch making sure that the church was established and that there were leaders equipped to carry on the mission of the first Greek church. They were the first church planters; teaching, leading and equipping. Isn’t this the model we should all be following?

Antioch was the start of the spread of God’s kingdom to the ends of the earth, to all nations. This is also the first time followers of Christ were called Christians, which my NIV Study Bible defines as “belonging to Christ.” What does it mean to you to “belong to Christ?”