Archive of past lessons from his series can be found here.
This is week 15 of our journey through The Acts of the Apostles. Click here to read Acts 11:19-30 & return here to read my thoughts and to post your own.
In our reading this week, Luke is urgent to show that the mission of Cornelius was not a one time exception - but a part of a worldwide movement of the Holy Spirit.
The fanatical Sanhedrin in Jerusalem had driven themselves crazy by doing everything in their power to stomp out this fire that had began burning at Pentecost. Yet their opposition had done nothing but scattered the sparks. The fire is now burning as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. While it may seem ironic, the persecution of the church is what spread its witness.
The story now moves to Antioch - believed to be the third largest city in the world, following Rome and Alexandria. It would be considered a melting pot today. The confluence of East and West led to a unique blending of Greek and Eastern cultures. At this time, the city was already 5 centuries old and the headquarters of the Roman eastern legions. This cosmopolitan port and soldiers town was legendary for evil living. The city was notorious for its lax sexual morals. But a new chapter in the city’s history was about to begin, for Antioch was about to become the metropolis of Gentile Christianity.
To this point, the Christians who had fled Jerusalem had restricted their evangelism to the Jewish communities of the various places they came. But in Antioch, some fired up Jesus lovers would take a huge step forward. If the gospel message was so good for Jews, would it also not be good for Gentiles? An Ethiopian eunuch might have become a Christian on the Gaza road, and a Roman centurion and his household might have believed the gospel in his Caesarean home as apostles unfolded it to them, but this scale of Gentile evangelization in Antioch was entirely new.
This new evangelism was met with instant success. The Gentiles took to the Christian message in large numbers. The leaders in Jerusalem recognized the novelty of this situation and they sent a delegate to Antioch. They choose their most gracious member, our old friend Barnabas. (The same guy from chapters 4 and 9.)
Barnabas most likely found Christ along with Stephen and Philip in the first apostolic evangelism. He is unselfish, large-hearted, and known as the “son of encouragement”. When he arrived, his generous spirit was filled with joy at what he found - the grace of God in action, bringing blessing to Jews & Gentiles alike.
The saints in Antioch had begun well, what they needed was encouragement to persevere to carry on in their loyal service and obedience to Jesus. Barnabas did just that, and lived up to his name, giving all the encouragement he could to the missionaries and converts alike. The presence of a man of such high reputation, sterling character, deep faith, and oozing with the Holy Spirit gave them the stimulus they needed to work even more vigorously. An the number of converts continued to increase rapidly.
While Barnabas was there, he began to realize he would need a colleague to assist in overseeing the ministry. Remember last week when we talked about needing more moments in the church when people say:
“Whoa, what just a minute, what in the world is going on here and why are we doing it?”
Imagine Barnabas: “You know who would be awesome at reaching the Gentiles? Saul. Yes, that Saul - the former Christ-follower killer/Jewish scholar/Pharisee.”
Can you see how this was another one of those - “You’ve got some explaining to do” moments.
It has been years since Saul had met Jesus on that road to Damascus. Barnabas just had to locate him first. Barnabas believed in Saul, cheered for him, went and found him, and said come on, Jesus is not done with you.
Not only that, Barnabas also had to stand with Saul and vouch for him in front of all his friends.
I need a Barnabas in my life. I can think of many people in my journey who have played this role for me. I pray for many more people to be Barnabas to me. And I do my best to be Barnabas for as many others as I can.
What about you, who is Barnabas in your life?
When is the last time you were Barnabas to someone else?
For as we strive to be like Barnabas, we are really being just Jesus.
Encourage someone today. I'd love to hear how it goes.
-Justin-
