Acts 11:25-26 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
The first predominately Gentile church was at Antioch. Until the men from Cyprus and Cyrene preached the gospel to them, the Jerusalem disciples only preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to Jews. It is interesting that Jesus told them to preach the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth. He said to start in Jerusalem, but to go outward from there.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
However, it was not until the church at Jerusalem was persecuted that they actually began to venture out much beyond Jerusalem.
Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
It was persecution that scattered the church and launched the missionary movement. Thank God for these men from Cyprus and Cyrene! Their names are not mentioned, but they experienced the hand of the Lord and a great number believed and turned to the Lord in Antioch. When the Jerusalem church heard about this, they sent Barnabas to go and see what was happening. When he saw what was happening in Antioch, he went to seek for Saul. They assembled themselves with the church for a whole year and taught many people.
Here we see the great importance of gathering with the church and teaching. Barnabas knew what needed to be done and he knew who could help with that – Saul. For a whole year these two men invested their lives in the new disciples from out of the Gentiles at Antioch. These new Christians needed to know the Bible. They needed to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. They needed a church to do this. Antioch is the first predominately Gentile church and it is also the first intentionally missionary church.
Acts 13:1-2 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
This is what the church should be about! Gathering together, teaching, growing in grace, and sending out! The mission is absolutely important! Let’s get to it!
In Christ,
Rody
