The First Gentile Church
Acts 11:19-30
Barnabus is Sent to Antioch
Acts 11:19-24
19 So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, preaching the good news of the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.
22 The news about them reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. 23 Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; 24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And considerable numbers were added to the Lord.
Barnabus Brings Saul to Antioch
Acts 11:25-30
25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers of people; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
27 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and indicated by the Spirit that there would definitely be a severe famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. 29 And to the extent that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 And they did this, sending it with Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
Antioch on the Orontes
Psalms 2:1-4
1 Why are the nations restless, And the peoples plotting in vain? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand, And the rulers conspire together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, 3 “Let’s tear their shackles apart And throw their ropes away from us!” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs.
The Lord scoffs at them.
Isaiah 49:5
“Woe unto him that strives with his Maker”
Matthew 20:23
“You will be baptized with the baptism which I will undergo.” And what was it? It’s a baptism of persecution and suffering and blood. Here it is. James fulfilled the prophecy. John suffered in a different way. He didn’t die. He had to live in exile and in punishment. Both of them went through lives of pain for the cause of Christ. And so it fulfilled the prophecy. Isn’t it interesting of all the apostles that he picked out to kill, he picked the one that Jesus said would suffer. Men think they’re so smart. All they’re doing is just carrying out the plans of God.
Start listening at 31:10
Some historians tell us that it was at least seven years from Pentecost to the founding of the Church at Antioch. Why?
There needed to be time for the apostles to lay down a solid doctrinal base.
The right instruments had to be prepared. Nothing worse than sending out an unprepared person to do a job. It took time to mature these people.
They needed time for prejudice to calm down.
Once the groundwork was laid, they were ready to move out and they fired out and God blessed their work. It was done well because the preparation was right.