Don't Follow Your Religion

Introduction

Last week we introduced this idea of God crumbling the biases of those who follow him. We looked at the story of Peter in Acts 10, which is summarized in Acts 11. We hear about a gentile Centurion, a Roman Officer, named Cornelius, who was a “God fearing man” but not a Christian. He receives a vision which sends him to pursue a man named Peter who is in Joppa. The scene switches and we see this man named Peter, an Apostle of Christ, ascending to the roof of a tanner named Simon’s home to pray, where he then receives a terrifying vision with great importance. A sheet was lain on top of the 4 corners of the world and it was filled with all creatures clean & unclean and God says to Peter “Go, kill & eat” to which Peter responds, “No, Lord!” This vision was about more than food, it was about Peter, and the Church at that time’s attitudes towards Gentiles. The Gospel 6 years after the crucifixion of Jesus was still only going to the Jews, not the whole world like God intended. So He sent a vision, and we’ll see He also sent persecution, in order to force the Church out into the world that she was born for.

We pick up in Acts 11:15-26

Acts 11:15–26 CSB

“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came down on them, just as on us at the beginning. I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If, then, God gave them the same gift that he also gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, how could I possibly hinder God?” When they heard this they became silent. And they glorified God, saying, “So then, God has given repentance resulting in life even to the Gentiles.” Now those who had been scattered as a result of the persecution that started because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. News about them reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel as far as Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And large numbers of people were added to the Lord. Then he went to Tarsus to search for Saul, and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.

Content

Our attitude toward the world— those who do not know God— is supremely important. We see that as the critical theme of the book of Jonah, it was the prophet’s bad attitude toward the world that landed him in the belly of the great fish. God was saying to him, “Jonah, this is what I think of your self-will, your prejudice, your elitism. Take a look” (Preaching the Word: Acts, p. 155)

In Christ, there is no basis for any sort of prejudice. No prejudice according to race, class, sport, grade, political-affiliation, or any sort. James says, “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory” - James 2:1 (ESV). Like I said, our attitude toward the world, particularly those who do not know God— Matters!

The passage that we just read records the final step of the Gospel’s beginning to be proclaimed to the Gentiles. Specifically, we see the formation of a Gentile Church in the city of Antioch which is found in modern Syria. Apparently, so many people came to Christ in Antioch that the local population coined a new name for Christ’s followers - “The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.” - Acts 11:26b (CSB). Which means, “Little Christ,” and the best part is that it was far from a compliment. The Gentiles of Antioch would have called them this mockingly. “Pff…you little Christ!” sort of similar to how, i’m sure, some of your friends say things to you “Pff…you’re a Christian, why don’t you just pray it away!” For instance, I had a friend in High School who would constantly berate me for my faith. He meant it jokingly, I think, but his tone was always comparable to someone spitting at me. He’d say things like, “Matt if you’re a Christian why don’t you just tell God to fix it?” or “Pff…just pray about it if God is real.” It was an attitude like this that got the Christians this nickname, “Little Christ.”

Now, I want to dive into this placed called Antioch for a second, and, even if you’re not into geography like I am- I want you to tune in because this is important to our understanding of this early Gentile Church movement.

Antioch was situated on the Orontes River, about 300 miles north of Jerusalem and twenty miles east of the Mediterranean, at the convergence of the Taurus and Lebanon mountains where the Orontes breaks through on its way to the sea. During the first century it was the third-largest city in the world, behind Rome and Alexandria. It was the melting pot for at least five cultures— the Greek, Roman, Semitic, Arab, and Persian. The Jews made up one-seventh of the city’s population and had legal sanction to follow their own laws in their own neighborhoods. Antioch was famous for its chariot racing and for its deliberate pursuit of pleasure— it was Las Vegas on the Orontes.

Antioch was most famous for its worship of Daphne, whose temple stood five miles outside town. Apollo’s famous pursuit of Daphne there was reenacted night and day by the men of the city and by the priestesses, who were ritual prostitutes. Throughout the world “the morals of Daphne” was a euphemism for depravity, or wretchedness.

Amazingly, it was this city, with all of its sensuality and immorality, that “the disciples were first called Christians.” Antioch was also the birthplace of foreign missions (we see that in Acts 13:2) and has the greatest preachers— in the first century Barnabas, Paul, and Peter; in the second Ignatius and Theophilus; and even more in the third. God’s light can shine in the darkest pit. God’s flowers can blossom in the most putrid bog. (Preaching the word: Acts. p. 158)

Acts 11:19–21 CSB

Now those who had been scattered as a result of the persecution that started because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.

Persecution scattered two kinds of believers into other parts of the world. The first shared the good news only with fellow Jews (red flag!). The second was willing to share the gospel with both Jews and Gentiles because they were Hellenized (Greek speaking Jews) and were not so attached to Jewish prejudices. These second types weren’t aware they wee doing anything radical. These unnamed Jews from the island of Cyprus and Cyrene (in North Africa)— with no official direction, no human instruction, no precedent to follow, nothing but a burning love for Christ— took the message to Antioch without realizing the revolutionary greatness of their act. They were the first believers to bring the explosive light of Christianity into the midnight of paganism and depravity (p. 159).

This means Antioch was evangelized not by apostles but by average members of Christ’s Body who were willing to share their faith. Wherever these fugitives to Judaism and prejudice landed, they kindled a blaze. What was the result?

Acts 11:21 CSB

The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.

A heavinly vitality now burned in the midst of the materialistic and spiritual darkness of Antioch. This was so foreign to its bleak environment that it would alter the vocabulary of the city— and even the entire world. Christians were born! A similar thing happened to a dude named George Fox and his followers in 1640 when he stood before a certain Justice Bennet and “bid him to tremble at the word of the Lord” which, in response, caused Justice Bennet to give George and his follower’s the name “Quakers.” Commentators have since said, “one of the best evidences that the image which Fox and his associates conveyed to their contemporaries was a dynamic one, is that provided by the nickname Quaker.” The same thing happened to the Methodists, who were so named because of their systematic, methodical, pursuit of holiness. If our culture as the Church was so dynamic in comparison to the world’s and a new word had to be made to describe us, what would that word be? What words do they use now? When God’s people live for Christ in such depth and power that those around them have to strive for a new term to describe what they see— that is a good thing!

Before long, the Church in Jerusalem heard what was going on in Antioch and decided to send a dude named Barnabas to check things out.

Who was Barnabas? He was a Hellenistic Jew. That means that he was raised in greek culture- on the island of Cyprus. He probably had personal friends among some of those evangelizing in Antioch because some of them were from Cyprus too. He was highly respected for his holiness and generosity, as he sold his property on Cyprus and laid it at the apostles feet (Acts 4: 36, 37). He was a proven encourager and reconciler, and was the one who brought Saul and the Jerusalem Church together. He was cheerful, big-hearted, loving. He was the perfect choice to send to Antioch. I love what verse 23 says,

Acts 11:23 CSB

When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts,

He “Saw the Grace of God.” He could have easily seen Antioch in another light. After all, it was known for its depravity! But instead he saw beneath the muck & the mire and incredible movement of the Gospel was active. Yeah, the people he was discipling still had some of the slime of the much on them— they had a long way to go. They were untaught Christians. But they new the Gospel, and despite the residue of Antioch they had tasted and seen salvation and were ripe for ministry under the leadership of Barnabas. He saw Christian grace and charm in their lives—the fruit of the Spirit— and He was glad! So, what did he do? He simply encouraged them to “remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts” In this way Barnabas helped them stay true to the very thing that would help cleanse them of the depravity, the slime of Antioch.

I love this advice, because its appropriate for us too. Whether you are new to faith or mature in the faith. As Alexander Maclaren, another Scottish pastor, said— “Many of us are so busy thinking about Christianity that we have lost our hold of Christ”

Barnabas saw grace, rejoiced, then tenderly encouraged God’s people. How was he able to do this?

Acts 11:24 CSB

for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And large numbers of people were added to the Lord.

The refreshing water of the Spirit flowed from Barnabas’ innermost being. His faith produced spiritual desire, expectation, and dependence. Can you think of anyone like that? Why not be such a person? But, the ministry in Antioch was going so well that it was too much for Barnabas. He was a fine man, but he knew his limitations. Perhaps Barnabas lay awake on night, burdened, tired, exploring his options. In the last three days he had led ten Bible studies, conducted five baptisms, and shared the gospel countless times. “I need some help! I cannot keep this up.” Then comes Paul…the answer to Barnabas’ prayer.

When Barnabas and Paul had seen each other last, some 8 - 10 years earlier, the Church in Jerusalem had sent Paul to Tarsus for safety, and there he had remained. A lot of water had gone under the bridge since Paul’s conversion, and he was not a well-seasoned servant of Christ. A commentator, Richard Longenecker believes that many events that cannot b fitted into the known chronology of Paul’s life happened during those years. Certainly Paul continued preaching during that time. Perhaps this is when he received he five sets of thirty-nine lashes at the hans of synagogue officials and underwent other persecution (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Probably this is when he experienced the loss of all things (Philippians 3:8) and was disinherited by his family. Perhaps the ecstatic experience of being caught up to the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:1-4) happened during those years as well. Paul was no longer a pharisee—His theology had crystallized and matured. He was full of Christ!

The story began “Barnabas and Paul” but it soon became “Paul and Barnabas.” Barnabas, older, more experienced in faith, preaching, and theology, and certainly more respected than Paul quickly became Paul’s follower, rather than Paul being his follower. When Paul traveled to Barnabas to Antioch they were a dynamic duo! They complemented one another beautifully. It says that “For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers” - Acts 11:26 (CSB).

Conclusion

And thus the Gospel had penetrated the Gentile world. The prejudice of the Jews was beginning to wane & the great commission was being fulfilled! A cosmopolitan, worldly, depraved, and wretched Antioch could not fit these new people into any of its categories, so anew name was born. It had a jesting and mocking edge to the name, maybe even a little bit of rage, because these people were such a contradiction to the culture of Antioch. So I wonder, are we contradictions to our culture? If they had to make a name for us— what would it be?

I think of a story about Alexander the Great— a Greek King who actually led the hellenization of most of the Ancient-Easter world. He once learned that in his army was someone who was named after him, another Alexander, who was a notorious coward. “Alexander the Great, who conquered the world when he was just twenty-three, called the soldier before him and said, ‘is your name Alexander and are you named for me?’ The trembling coward said, ‘Yes, sir. My name is Alexander and I was named for you.’ The great general said, ‘Then either be brave or change your name!’” Fortunately, Christ does not say that to us, but he does exhort us to be who we are— to live out our calling as faithful servants to the Gospel. We are “Little Christs!”