In The Word
Read: Acts 11:19-30
The Church at Antioch
19 So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. 23 Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; 24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. 25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
27 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. 29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
The Gospel continued to go forward with great influence and power. Some purposed to go into Antioch only to preach to the Jews, but others came and preached to the Gentiles as well. A large revival of salvation began to break out. At this point, word traveled back to the leadership in which they sent Barnabas. Barnabas being the encourager, came and taught the newly saved to remain faithful in the Lord. He then went and looked for Saul in Tarsus, found him, and brought him back to Antioch with him. Then they spent an entire year with the church in Antioch teaching and making disciples. Here it is told to us that the disciples were first called Christians, which means followers of Christ.
We as Christians all need to learn from the example of Barnabas and go bring someone along the journey with us to disciple. He recognized what God was doing and intentionally got another brother to join him in the walk. Are you currently accomplishing all that God wants you to? Do you have someone younger in the faith that you are training up to help with the work? If you aren’t, then pray and ask the Lord to open your eyes to someone around you to invest in so that we may grow laborers in the Lord for His Kingdom to be expanded and for darkness to be expelled.