Antioch, Barnabas and Saul
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Acts 11:19-30
Acts 11:19-30
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.
In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world. This took place during the reign of Claudius. Each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers and sisters who lived in Judea. They did this, sending it to the elders by means of Barnabas and Saul.
Why would most of the scattered followers of Christ only tell Jews about Him?
Why would most of the scattered followers of Christ only tell Jews about Him?
Acts 11:19
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.
When we look at the theme of this book, Acts 1:8; we see a progression of the movement of the gospel message. Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth. Well, they have already checked the first 3 boxes. There was a hesitancy in telling people who did not identify with Jewish traditions or Judaism itself about Jesus. That seems odd, since that was what Jesus told them to do but they have their reasons as we saw in the previous chapters. Especially after Peter had an encounter with God through a vision that led him to Cornelius. That leads to an obvious question...
Why were they not telling gentiles about Jesus?
Why were they not telling gentiles about Jesus?
They were. according to their traditions that were deeply rooted in their faith, supposed to stay away from “those” people. they saw them as unclean and even unworthy. There might have also been some fear involved. As Jews, they were already seen as different and the gentiles knew how the Jews looked at them and probably thought they would treat them harshly.
Acts 11:20-21
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.
Why did these few decide to preach to the Gentiles?
Why did these few decide to preach to the Gentiles?
We can only speculate but they were from areas that would have a larger gentile population and were Greek speaking Jews. They had more than likely seen converts from paganism to Judaism in the past. We see in v. 21 that the Lord’s hand was with them. Ezekiel 3:14
The Spirit lifted me up and took me away. I left in bitterness and in an angry spirit, and the Lord’s hand was on me powerfully.
2 kings 3:15
Now, bring me a musician.”
While the musician played, the Lord’s hand came on Elisha.
Acts 11:22-24
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.
Why did they send Barnabas to check out what was going on in Antioch?
Why did they send Barnabas to check out what was going on in Antioch?
They wanted to verify the truth of what was going on. They wanted to ensure that as the Word was spreading it was being transmitted faithfully. They wanted to encourage the saints in Antioch as well. Barnabas was an obvious choice. Remember when we met Barnabas? Acts 4:36-37
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas (which is translated Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
We see him first here. He was a Cypriot, so He was from near this area. The brothers that were preaching were from Cyrene and Cyprus. He was obviously trusted by the apostles in his faith so much they just call him by a nickname! We see in vs 23-24 that he encouraged them…and he was a good man full of the Holy Spirit and faith. That word encourage would be better translated exhort. He was not just cheering them on but he was teaching them and reaffirming their faith and commitment to the Lord.
What does it look like to see the grace of God? Have you seen it?
What does it look like to see the grace of God? Have you seen it?
Acts 11:25-26
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.
Why did Barnabas go and get Saul?
Why did Barnabas go and get Saul?
What are some things we know about Saul and Barnabas’ relationship? Acts 9:26-30
When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple. Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He conversed and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the brothers found out, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
I don’t know if Barnabas was one of the guys who took him to Cesarea but he knew where to find him. Even after over 10 years…he knew that he was in Tarsus. What about Saul though? Why did Barnabas feel the need to leave the place where all the action was happening to go get Saul? Saul is an expert in Judaism, he is a Roman citizen, he is well versed in Greek and well traveled. He is the perfect guy to speak to the gentiles in Antioch. Barnabas also knew what Saul was called to do. He was called to be the light to the gentiles. Jesus chose Saul…not Barnabas…yet it was Barnabas who brought Saul to the spotlight!
What is the significance of the amount of time they spent there?
What is the significance of the amount of time they spent there?
They were making disciples. The great commission did not say that we are to make converts…it said we are to make disciples. There is a difference. To learn about a new found faith and be strong enough to share that faith and to help someone else know trust and understand that faith…it takes commitment on both ends. That is discipleship. Does that sound familiar? We live in a culture and society that has “discipled” us and is discipling us daily in the ways of this world. We need to take time and give effort to know and understand the faith we have in Jesus Christ so that we might be labeled as they were back there as “Christians.” That was not a cool gimmicky title. That was a derogatory remark to label people. It wasn’t what they called themselves…they still used the term disciples.
Acts 11:27-30
In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world. This took place during the reign of Claudius. Each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers and sisters who lived in Judea. They did this, sending it to the elders by means of Barnabas and Saul.
Why do you think Luke included the details of this prophecy and famine?
Why do you think Luke included the details of this prophecy and famine?
He is obviously inspired by the Holy Spirit. More importantly, he is constantly adding historical context to what is going on in the book. This stuff actually happened. there was a year long famine under the reign of Claudius. There is a some ability to check this out. Agabus was not the most common name and if you wanted to back in the day, you could have found out who he was and verify the truthfulness of this account. There is the fact that there was someone else who had recieved a gift of prophecy through the Holy Spirit outside of the big 12. This little addition that really just helps us see that the main people we are following at this point are going back to Jerusalem. It also shows us that the Lord is working through others that we do not know but are just as critical to the story.
No one here is insignificant. We all have a role to play in our faith and in our service to the Lord. We all have the same Holy Spirit that indwells us as believers. We have access to the same power that He had then…He does not change. How will we be used and how will we know when He wants to use us? That is why we need to be disciples and not just Christians. We can look the part but be useless for the kingdom of God…let’s get serious!