The First Gentile Church
Authentic Church • Sermon • Submitted
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· 9 viewsThe Jews accept Gentiles as Christian brothers. The shift from a primarily Jewish church located in Jerusalem to a multinational, multicultural church.
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summary of :
God’s sovereignty at work in preparing C & P for their critical meeting
answered C’s prayer
confronted Peter’s prejudice against the Gentiles
also had to deal with the prejudice of the Jewish church
God’s plan to work through people
God’s purpose to bring the gospel to the world is fulfilled through his church
God accomplishes his plans through people who have been transformed by him
the quick obedience of both C & P
obedience and faith go hand in hand, they are inseparable
cannot claim faith when we are habitually disobedient
the conquering Roman Centurion was to go to a Jew to find out how to be saved
obedience apart from saving faith is filthy rags in the sight of God!
God often accomplishes his plans through weak and foolish things
27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
the conquering Roman Centurion was to go to a Jew to find out how to be saved
the proud Jew was set aside his prejudice and bring the Gospel of peace to his enemy
what is our attitude to truths we were previously unaware of?
no one has a complete understanding of all the truth
should lead us to hold what we do know with confidence but also to keep a teachable spirit
truth is complete but our understanding isn’t!
finally we noted the hunger of Cornelius and those with him for the word - asked Peter to stay
follows the Great Commission: go and make disciples, baptizing and teaching them all that Christ commanded
what is our attitude to the Word
what is our attitude to the Word
does it control our thinking, desires, goals, behaviour?
it will not if we are not reading it, studying it, meditating on it, praying over and through it, and memorizing it
the sad reality that the vast majority of professing Christians do not spend enough time in the Word every day
love of the Word is a mark of saving faith!
The Jerusalem Church Embraces the Gentiles
The Jerusalem Church Embraces the Gentiles
cannot claim faith when habitually disobedient
the church began in Jerusalem
it is where the Apostles were situated
obedience apart from saving faith is filthy rags in the sight of God!
in the persecution which followed Stephen’s murder the church scattered but the Apostles remained
because of this the Jerusalem church was considered the head
also destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD
as the Apostles were martyred and the church spread throughout the Roman world it’s status and importance faded
as the church spreads we find the independence of local congregations which voluntarily associate with like minded churches to deal with sin and false teaching
after Jerusalem church we find the independence of local congregations which voluntarily associate with like minded churches to deal with sin and false teaching
Great Commission - go and make disciples, baptizing and teaching them
- the Jewish Church
- the Gentile Church
2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying,
Luke tells the miraculous story of Cornelius’ salvation again
shows what a pivotal event this was in the life of the church
apart from God’s sovereign intervention the church would have remained a Jewish church
as long as it remained Jewish it would never become God’s instrument of grace and forgiveness to the world (J. MacArthur)
spread of gospel to Gentiles was therefore critically important
while Peter was teaching Cornelius and those with him all that Christ commanded, word of what he was doing reached the circumcision party in Jerusalem
circumcision party = Jewish Christians who still held to the Law of Moses and believed that all Christians had to first become Jewish proselytes ()
criticized Peter for going to Gentiles and eating with them
remember that Jesus was criticized for doing something similar: eating with tax collectors and sinners
eating meant much more than it does today
were still focused on law, Jewish customs and Temple
were still focused on law, Jewish customs and Temple
meant acceptance and approval
Jews did not eat with non-Jews because of the food laws God had given them and their desire to stay ritually clean
those of the circumcision party were stuck on the OT law, their Jewish customs and the Temple
though they had accepted Jesus as their Messiah they had not yet accepted the Gentiles as their brothers!
imagine Peter’s surprise and dismay on his return to Jerusalem
great and powerful ministry met with criticism and complaining!
a sad reality in many churches that while God is doing great things some are stuck in the past and end up being thorns in the sides of their leaders!
wanted to press the Law on new believers
to this point only Peter and those with him were privy to the fact that the HS had come upon the Gentiles in the same way that he had upon the Apostles and disciples at Pentecost
eating meant much more than it does today
meant acceptance and approval
Jews did not eat with them because of the food laws and their desire to stay ritually clean
Peter responded to their criticism by retelling his experience (vv.4-15)
though only Peter was commanded to go and meet Cornelius he took “some of the brothers from Joppa” (10:23)
proved to be a very wise move
they provided Peter with corroborating witnesses! ()
Peter concludes his testimony with Jesus words after his resurrection, “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the HS” ()
Peter’s confession echoes what he said to the Sanhedrin when they wanted to silence him: “we must obey God rather than men”
Peter’s final words to the circumcision party: “who am I to stand in God’s way” (v.17)
Peter echoes what he said to the Sanhedrin when they wanted to silence him: “we must obey God rather than men”
Peter’s message to these Jewish Christians: everything about the gospel coming to the Gentiles and culminating in the gift of the HS pointed to God’s sovereign will
Peter’s message to these Jewish Christians: everything about the gospel coming to the Gentiles and culminating in the gift of the HS pointed to God’s sovereign will
the response of the circumcision party:
surprised silence: what could they say?
how could they refute the testimony of 6 witnesses? (v.12)
who were they to question the word of Christ? (v.16)
who were they to question God’s sovereign work? (v.17)
they glorified God:
they turned from shunning the Gentiles to accepting them as full fledged brothers in the Lord
glorified God: they went from shunning the Gentiles to accepting them as full fledged brothers in the Lord
they submitted themselves to God’s sovereignty
how willing are we to abandon traditional behaviours and beliefs when confronted with the truth?
how willing are we to abandon traditional behaviours and beliefs when confronted with the truth?
The First Gentile Church
The First Gentile Church
marks a major shift in the book of Acts
up to this point Luke, under the influence and guidance of the HS has focused on Peter and his ministry to the Jews
in the next chapter Luke records King Herod’s attack on the Jerusalem church
he violently assaulted some of the believers
he killed James, the head of the Jerusalem church, with the sword
he attempted to do the same to Peter, the key preacher of the Gospel to the Jews
God miraculously intervened against Satan’s efforts to destroy they Jerusalem church
Peter was released from prison by an angel
Herod was killed by God when he accepted the praise of the people
reminds us of Jesus’ promise in
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
leads to and Paul’s first missionary journey with Barnabas
to the end of acts the focus in on Paul and his ministry to the Gentiles
the rest of the book of Acts focuses on Paul’s evangelistic efforts to bring the gospel to the Roman world
the fulfilment of Jesus prophecy in
follows the great commission in
The Gospel Spreads to Antioch
The Gospel Spreads to Antioch
19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.
picks up from when the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem were forced to flee because of the persecution which followed Stephen’s martyrdom
the fulfillment of
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
accomplished through the sovereign work of God in the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch, Saul’s conversion, persecution of the Jerusalem Jews which caused them to spread the gospel wherever they went and finally Peter & Cornelius
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
God’s purpose that the church is no longer a Jewish phenomenon
the door is quickly opening to the Gentile world
one of the keys to that door: the church in Antioch which will serve as the sending church for Paul’s missionary journeys
leads to and Paul’s first missionary journey with Barnabas
the rest of the book of Acts focuses on Paul’s efforts to bring the gospel to the Roman world
19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.
describes the Jewish christians before Cornelius
36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,
36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
Antioch: the 3rd largest city in the Roman empire behind Alexandria and Rome
was noted for its culture and commerce
was also a place full of pagan worship and gross sexual immorality
men of Cyprus and Cyrene spoke to the Hellenists = Greek speaking non-Jews
how did this happen when in the previous verse it says that those who were scattered only spoke of Christ to Jews alone?
because Jews would not associate with Gentiles it is likely these men were Jewish proselytes who had come to salvation either in Jerusalem or in Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch
they in turn witnessed to their Gentile families, friends and acquaintances and a great number believed!
resulted in the birth of the first Gentile church!
some of them told the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus and a great number believed!
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
Acts 11:
interesting wording:
there were were some who “believed” who did not turn to the Lord
remember that there were many in Jesus’ earthly ministry who believed but Jesus would entrust himself to them because their belief was not saving faith
24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people
belief does not necessarily equal saving faith
critical lesson for us:
is my belief true saving faith or is it no different from the belief of demons?
James to professing Christians who were not working out their salvation
or
19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
what are you trusting in?
that you said the sinner’s prayer? that you can remember the time and date when you asked Jesus into your heart? that you go to church every Sunday?
what is true saving faith? what does it look like?
Paul’s prayer for the Philippians
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Php 1:
“a great number who believed turned” (v.21)
love for word, love for God’s people, love for worship
belief is not just intellectual assent but a turning to
to turn to Christ must turn from sins and old way of life
belief that is true saving faith is manifested in a changed life
repentance: turning from sin to the Lord
The Ministry of Barnabas
The Ministry of Barnabas
22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,
24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
Acts 11:22-
the Apostles stayed in Jerusalem and because of this it was the key church
they hear about what’s happening in Antioch and send Barnabas to check it out
the Jerusalem church had control and influence over the spread of the gospel
their concern was to protect and promote the purity of the gospel
we see this in the council in
their desire concerning Antioch is to determine whether what was happening there was of God or something else
very important - sin & false teaching the great enemies of the church
to do this they sent Barnabas
22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
Acts 11:
Barnabas, the former Jewish priest, first appeared in when he sold a piece of property he owned in Cyprus and gave the proceeds to the Apostles to give to the poor
known to the Apostles as having the gift of encouragement ()
also described in v.24 as a good man, full of the HS and of faith
because Barnabas had proven himself to be a genuine believer and a trustworthy servant of Christ, they sent him to Antioch to find out what was happening
God uses those who put themselves as his disposal
23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,
what did Barnabas find when he arrived in Antioch?
people transformed by the grace of God
what did he do?
encouraged them to remain true
Jesus in
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
pressure is always on to depart from the Lord
Judas did not abide with Jesus because he loved of money
Demas left Paul because he was in love with the world (2 Tim 4:10)
Parable of Sower - love of money, cares of world and persecution causes seed not to bear fruit
how do we remain true to the Lord?
by continuing in his word
24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.
it is through our abiding in the Word that we maintain our vital connection to the Jesus and the Father
25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
what did Paul and Barnabas do with these new christians? get them serving??
they spend a whole year teaching them!
the most urgent need for all Christians and especially new ones is to be taught the Word of God
P&B did this in the gathered church
it’s why preaching and teaching is primary at Eastwood
preaching is the heart of the church’s ministry
Apostles in made this clear
2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
historical note: “disciples first called Christians at Antioch”
a term of derision
their leader, Jesus, a crucified man = the worst of sinners
crucifixion designed to take everything away from a victim
no one
The Ministry of the Antioch Church to Others in Need
The Ministry of the Antioch Church to Others in Need
27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius).
29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.
30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 11:27-31
not only was the church at Antioch established in doctrine but it was full of sacrificial love
compare this to popular notion that doctrine divides
clear evidence of spiritual health and vitality
Agabus the prophet:
supernatural gifts given to the church to authenticate the Apostles and the message
Apostles and their miraculous healings, speaking in other languages and prophecy all ceased over time
response of Antioch church: each according to their ability gave
those who were rich gave much and those who were poor gave less but all were committed to loving their brethren in Judea
a recurring theme in the book of Acts
Application
Application
Who have you witnessed to this past week? Is there anyone to whom you will not witness because of prejudice or fear?
reasons for the time it took:
Apostolic authority had to be established
it took time for the new believers to become gounded in the Apostles’ teaching ()
new believers had to mature in their faith before they were sent out as missionaries
it took time to tear down Jewish prejudice against the Gentiles
if Eastwood is to fulfill the Great Commission we must do likewise
Do you possess true saving faith and if so how do you know it is genuine?
Are you abiding in Christ or are you being drawn away by the love the world and the things of the world?