Devotion for Tuesday, 5 July 2011 Anno Domini

Devotion for Tuesday, 5 July 2011 Anno Domini
“19Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 22Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 25Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:26 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. 27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.” (Acts 11:19-30)

We began to see a continuing emergence of the Church in today’s text into a broader body of believers whose love and brotherhood crosses both national and racial boundaries. We discover, too, that the disciples first came to be known as Christians at the Church in Antioch. It is natural that, if we would be part of the family of God and imitate Christ in our love and faith, we would be called by the family name to which we owe our standing.
“Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.” We note in this verse that the early beginnings of the church has remained provincial in that its membership was primarily reserved to the Jews only. It was never the will or intent of Christ to restrict His calling to a racial minority – as a matter of fact, race had nothing to do with the offer of Grace in Christ. It is a human characteristic to restrict the benefits of a great good to their close family. But the Mind of God transcends every national and tribal boundary. He can not be restrained to the borders of a country, a city, or a church building.
“And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.” The Grecians made reference to here were uncircumcised Gentiles and perhaps a sprinkling of Hellenized Jews. Moreover, the men of Cyprus and Cyrene were, in all likelihood, Christian Gentiles. They preached the Gospel to these people of Antioch with a high degree of success. The preacher sows the seed of the Gospel never knowing on what ground it they may fall. The sower sows, the Holy Spirit nurtures. “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” If the “hand of the Lord” was NOT with them, the Gospel would not have been preached with such power in which case, though there may have been many believers, they may not have been true believers.
“Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.” It seems obvious that the Church at Jerusalem was now joyfully reconciled to the admission of Gentiles into the churches. The effect of the visit of Barnabas was to encourage and strengthen these people of Antioch in their faith. “Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” A good minister of God will always draw his joy and strength from seeing others receive the knowledge and Grace of God. He will always encourage and never tear down. He will urge them on to greater accomplishment in Christ. Barnabas urges them on to cleave unto the Lord (in the same way a man and woman cleave unto each other in Godly marriage). The Church, after all, is the Bride of Christ!
“For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.” Barnabas was a good man! Shouldn’t that be a given for the man of God? Unfortunately, it does not describe many who profess to be men of God today. How often do we learn that they are money-grubbers, self-seekers, and adulterers! He was “full of the Holy Ghost” so that the last phrase seems unnecessary: “and of faith.” If we are full of the Holy Ghost, we will certainly be full of faith. The last phrase is simply added for emphasis as when the vision was repeated to Peter thrice in Acts 9.
“Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul.” Why did the notion occur to Barnabas to go seek out Saul of Tarsus? The Holy Ghost, which indwelled him with great presence, moved him to go to one who was particularly called of God to minister to the Gentile nations! You will recall that the Lord had spoken to Ananias regarding Saul prior to his laying hands on him: “…..Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.” (Acts 9:15-16) So Barnabas seeks out the man of God’s choice for the hour needed.
“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.” Much can be accomplished in a second with the Lord. How much more in preaching may be accomplished in a YEAR! The Church gains its name at Antioch!
“And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.” Please observe here the certification of a true prophet! If that which he prophesies shall come to pass, count him as a prophet. Four famines occurred during this period (according to the Antiquities of the Jews by Josephus). The famine came to Judea and surrounding areas in 41 A.D. But what of those modern prophets that keep getting it wrong? I’ll leave their description to the discretion of the reader!
“Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.” Here is an excellent example of Christian charity! Every disciple sent relief to the Jewish church in Judea according to his ability to give. Our charity is not driven by an arbitrary goal, or limited either by such. We give according to our ability. We have a profound example of a widow, giving even more than her presumed ability, in Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4. Our giving, furthermore, is not limited to money only. It is time we contribute in sharing the Gospel, teaching, serving the needs of the unfortunate as Tabitha did. In summary, the Christian gives himself – his whole being – to Christ and His Work.