The Pilgrim Path---Acts 11: 19 – 30

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the LORD Jesus. And the hand of the LORD was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the LORD. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the LORD with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the LORD. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

“…A GREAT MANY WERE ADDED TO THE LORD”

The persecuted followers of Jesus took the good news of Christ with them. They moved in a northerly direction: Phoenicia (Lebanon), toward Cyprus, and on to Antioch in Syria. Greek-speaking Jewish Christians from Cyprus told the story of the Living Savior to folk who were born in Greece or whose native tongue was Greek. They moved on to Antioch (not too great a distance), and preached Jesus to Gentiles---wow: “And the hand of the LORD was with them---and a large number believed and turned to the LORD.”

When the Jerusalem Church heard about this Gospel triumph---they sent Barnabas down. We remember him from Acts 4: 36—37. He was the man who could assist, help, serve and give! Just the soul to send to a church amid “new beginnings.” When you are church-planting---you need workers who can pour themselves out. Antioch was not exactly an area where a lot of “seekers” were located. Many souls in that city would not have been identified as “likely” candidates to receive the Gospel Message---they are exactly the folk who need to hear it. Barnabas went down---and was thrilled to “see” the results of God’s grace at work. It is so important to note that he is compelled to take a trip. He remembers Saul of Tarsus. Tarsus is approximately 100 miles away. Barnabas figures that Saul---that very capable servant of the LORD--- could be powerfully used in “this” place---I am going to go and get him! We do not have a record of the conversation or the connection---but Saul returns with Barnabas. They labor for one (1) year in the city of Antioch. The LORD blesses tremendously! AND---in that city---the followers of Jesus are first called Christians (like Christ). Hey, it was worth the trip to bring in Brother Saul. What a lesson for church building endeavors: send them out by twos. The labor is taxing. When one is down---the other can lift the one. Two made great strides for the Kingdom…

From James Montgomery Boice: Even the ancients thought Antioch was corrupt. Outside the city there was a park or grove of trees called “the Grove of Apollo.” It was notorious as a location for licentious sexual indulgence. It was like an outdoor brothel, and people went there specifically to indulge their sensual appetites. Antioch was so well known for its debauchery that not long after this when a Roman senator was trying to describe how Rome, which had been morally upright in the days of the republic, had become corrupted by the moral degeneracy of the east, he said in picturesque language, “The Orontes has flowed into the Tiber.” Yet it was here in this cosmopolitan, commercial, and most corrupt city that a great church was established. This church that had a mixture of races was grounded in the Word of God, and, because it was grounded in the Word and was anxious to obey Jesus Christ, it became the first great missionary church of the New Testament.

From Canon Liddon: A Christian is a member of the Aristocracy of Heaven: “Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” Let us remember this name---in the morning---at night---in the hour of death…

HYMN

Jesus, Master, whom I serve, though so feebly and so ill,

Strengthen hand and heart and nerve all thy bidding to fulfill.

Open thou mine eyes to see all the work thou hast for me.

LORD, thou needest not, I know, service such as I can bring;

Yet I long to prove and show full allegiance to my King.

Thou an honor art to me: let me be a praise to thee.

Frances R. Havergal, 1865

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason