Acts 11: 19-30

 (Acts 11: 19-30)

Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.  And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the LORD Jesus.  And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.  Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.  Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.  For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.  Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:  And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.  And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.  And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judæa: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

The fact that Peter's stereotypes about the Gentiles were changed through God's vision shows that the apostles and all the saints misunderstood the realm of the gospel. The scattered Jews preached the Gospel only to the Jews. Through the Lord's vision, Peter understood the Lord's heart toward the Gentiles. And Stephen's martyrdom scattered people to actually expand the gospel.『 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the LORD Jesus. 』 At that time, Antioch, along with Rome and Alexandria, was one of the three major cities of the Roman Empire. The gospel preached to the Greeks quickly spread to every corner of Antioch, and many testify that they believed in Jesus and returned to the Lord.

Antioch's revival came to the church in Jerusalem. The Jerusalem community sends the most reliable Barnabas to Antioch. Barnabas played a major role in the roots of the Antioch Church. He taught the gospel and taught us how to live in it. Then he personally visited Paul, who had lived in Tarsus, his hometown, and made him a co-worker. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. 』

The title Christian was used for the first time in Antioch. However, it was not Barnabas and Saul and members of the community, but others called it. This was possible because the Antioch community who accepted the Gospel lived a different life through the deep service and guidance of Barnabas and Paul. The life that Barnabas and Paul personally showed became an example of the community and returned with praise as Christians. The Antioch community, dreaming of a grain of wheat, has since grown into a community that forms the central axis of the pagan mission.

After hearing the news of the revival of the Antioch Church, the prophets who visited Jerusalem were impressed by the image of true Christians who were united as one without distinction between Greek and Jewish in front of the cross and gave deep thanks and praise to God. 『And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar. 』

By the way, the Christians in Antioch were not concerned about their safety in the face of the great famine that would befall the world. Moreover, he did not plead with God to prevent disaster. They trusted the Lord and looked for specific things they could do: ``Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judæa:Which also they did, and sent it to the elders. by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. The decision of the church in Antioch was made spontaneously and very quickly. It may be necessary to pray for the end of the catastrophe year, but they encouraged the Jerusalem community with very real and visible help.

 

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