“Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.”
-Acts 11:19-30-
In Antioch, Christianity was launched on its worldwide mission and there believers aggressively preached to the Gentiles. Believers who were scattered after the outbreak of persecution in Jerusalem spread the gospel to other Jews in the lands they fled to. The seeds of missionary work had been sown after Stephens death. At this time, the believers began activity sharing the Good News with Gentiles. With an exception of Jerusalem, Antioch of Syria played a more important role in the early church than any other church. After Rome and Alexandria, Antioch was the largest city in the Roman world. In Antioch, the first Gentile church was founded, and there the believers were first called Christians. Paul used the city as his home base during his missionary journeys. Paul receives the Holy Spirit and he will be a witness in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Antioch was a key city to both Rome and to the early church.
The young church at Antioch was a curious mixture of Jews and Gentiles. It is very significant that this is the first place where believers were called Christians (Christ-ones), because all they had in common was Christ- not race, culture, or even language. Christ can cross all boundaries and unify all people.
Barnabas and Saul stayed at the church for a year, teaching the new believers. They could have left for other cities, but they saw the importance of follow-through and training. Spend time teaching and encouraging.
Serious food shortages occurred during the reign of Claudius because of a drought that had been taking place for years. The church of Antioch assisted the church in Jerusalem. The people of Antioch were motivated to give generously because they cared about the needs of others. Reluctant giving reflects a lack of concern for people. The church of Antioch is now known for equipping and training new believers so that they to can fish for men.
I am almost ready to be sent out to spread the Good News, but for some reason God is telling me that I still have some work to do for His Glory here in AL.
