Chapter Eleven –
Peter's Explanation – First Called Christians
ACTS 11:19-30:
In our previous lesson, we concluded with Peter defending himself for going
in to the Gentiles. In addition, because of the wisdom of God and the
demonstration of His approval of the actions of Peter on behalf of the
Gospel to the Gentiles, the universal outcome was, "Then God has also
granted to the Gentiles repentance of life” -
Acts 11:18.
In this lesson, we will note that Luke returns the focus on Saul (who is
also called Paul – 13:9); and
Barnabas who will go to Tarsus to retrieve him (just briefly until the close
of this chapter, and then return
back to Peter in chapter twelve).
Text #1:
Acts 11:19-21
“Now those who were scattered after the persecution that
arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,
preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.
20
But some of
them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch,
spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21
And the
hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to
the Lord.”
Those who were Scattered:
This statement returns us back to Chapter
8:4; which we will call a hub verse. This is due to the fact that
although much has transpired between 8:4
and now (Philipp’s work, Saul’s conversion, Peter’s work in the coastal
plain), very little time has transpired. As the Jews who have obeyed the
Gospel of Jesus as the Christ have faced persecution by their countrymen (1
Thessalonians 2:13-16), they have now begun to return home (from
chapter
8:4 to now, has transpired during
approximately 40-41 AD).
Keep in mind that they have remained in Jerusalem for much longer than
normal in order to receive the instruction of the Apostles (2:42);
literally becoming a prepared people for a prepared work, the spread
of the Gospel (living it, and sharing it).
Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch:
Here listed by Luke are the primary locations that the majority returning
would spend their time. Phoenicia is the coastal region far north of Judea
with its two major cities of Tyre and Sidon. Cyprus was the isle off the
coast of Phoenicia and directly west in the Mediterranean. Antioch was a
large city far to the north of both Judea and even Phoenicia in the Roman
province of Syria.
Bringing the Word to Jews Only:
Even though Peter has breached the threshold bringing the Gospel to the
Gentiles, we see the wisdom of the Lord to fulfill His word to the Jews that
the Gospel would come to them first to give them the chance to be the
builders that they were intended to be (Psalms
118:22; Acts 4:11;
Romans 1:16).
Come to Antioch:
Antioch was a large and beautiful city about 16 miles from the sea on a
navigable river. It was called the
“Queen of the East” the “Third
metropolis of the world”. Men from Cyprus and Cyrene (and area west of
Egypt by what we know as Libya today) came to Antioch and spoke to the
Hellenists. Hellenists were Greek speaking Jews; and it was in Greek that
these preached the Lord (Ruler) Jesus. A great number “believed and
turned”.
This is a description of the act of conversion. In
Acts 2:37-38; it was cut to the
heart (acknowledged understanding and godly sorrow – belief), repent, and be
baptized. In Acts 3:19; it was
repent and turn (converted). In Acts 5:14;
it was “believers were increasing added to the Lord”. In
Acts 8:12-13; it was Samaritans and
Simon the Sorcerer that believed and were baptized. In
Acts 8:36-37; it was the Ethiopian
eunuch who “if” he believed he could be baptized. In
Acts 9:18; it was Saul who believed
the Lord who appeared to him and was baptized. In
Acts 10:48; it was Cornelius and his
household who believing the preaching of Peter, were commanded to be
baptized.
Text #2:
Acts 11:22-26
“Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and
they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.
23
When he
came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all
that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
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
Then
Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.
26
And when he
had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year
they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the
disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”
Barnabas:
Barnabas was selected and sent to work with the brethren that now exist in
Antioch of Syria. It should not surprise us that Barnabas was chosen to go
to them to encourage them; this was his unique designation, note:
Acts 4:36
“And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles
(which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of
Cyprus”
Purpose of
Heart:
What a
great phrase of encouragement for all of us. To literally develop a resolute
heart to continue with the Lord. To know that salvation has come from God
through Jesus Christ and to take hold of it with no intention of ever
letting go (see:
Philippians 2:12).
Saul:
We left Saul at Tarsus in
9:30. Now Barnabas retrieves him to
come and work with him at Antioch for a year.
First
Called Christians:
This is the
first of only three times that this term is recorded as a
description of those who have obeyed the Gospel (the other two are:
Acts
26:28; and
1 Peter 4:16). The term Christian
simply means “pertaining to Christ”.
Here is a brief list of references that in just the short time we have
engaged in the study of Acts that “Christians” have also been referred as:
-
Those being saved –
Acts 2:47.
-
Those who believed –
Acts 4:32.
-
The
Church (Greek, ‘ekklesia’
– “the called out”, not the Greek ‘kuriakos’
– “belonging to the Lord’; which is where we derive the English word
church) –
Acts 5:11;
8:1,
3;
9:31.
-
Believers –
Acts 5:14.
-
Disciples (learners and practitioners) –
Acts 6:1-2,
7;
9:25-26,
36.
-
The
way –
Acts 9:2.
-
Brethren –
Acts 9:30;
11:1.
-
Saints –
9:41.
This is
also a fulfillment of a prophecy we find in
Isaiah
62:2;
65:15; concerning the coming of a
new name in the reign of the Great Servant of God and the salvation of
spiritual Zion.
Text #3:
Acts 11:27-30
“And
in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28
Then one of
them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going
to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the
days of Claudius Caesar.
29
Then the
disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the
brethren dwelling in Judea.
30
This they
also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.”
Agabus:
He is a prophet of God under the reign of Christ the Lord, from Jerusalem
(prophets are mouth pieces for God, speaking things previously unknown;
whether past, present or future), speaking of a famine throughout the world.
We will hear from this prophet of God again in
Acts
21:10.
Send Relief:
Here is another approved example of benevolence that we should take notice
of. Just as in similar instances of benevolence engaged by the collective
(the Body of Christ – Acts 2,
4, 6),
it was to be collected and sent on behalf of needy “brethren” in
Judea.
The Body of Christ is equipped and charged to perform locally everything
that the Lord has charged the Body to accomplish (Ephesians
4:12); “Perfecting the Saints” – which is the instruction
and education process for proper Christian living; “Work of the ministry”
- i.e. benevolence; and “Edifying itself in love” – the enlarging of
the borders of the kingdom. This example of the Body of Christ in Antioch
falls well within the guidelines established by the Lord for His body. In
addition, this benevolent collection was to be rendered to the elders of the
Body of Christ in the specific Bodies of Christ for oversight and proper
distribution to the truly needy; avoiding the calamity of
Chapter 6.
To this simple understanding, the Lord never intended for the Body of Christ
to be a social welfare institution apart from the needy saints (which
emphasizes the Gospel to the world over food for the world). Individually,
Christians may and should help our neighbors to the best of our ability;
however, making sure that we never enable evil in their lives (Romans
12:9); instead demonstrating that God is sanctified in our hearts
so that we might answer to them when they ask us of the hope that is in us –
1 Peter 3:15.
This constitutes an approved example, given to establish the boundaries of
authority for that which the Body of Christ should be engaged in according
to its head.