We continue in the book of Acts or our Summer Reading Challenge of 2022. Today’s reflections from Acts chapter 11address how the church affirms and encourages the work of the Gospel in the Gentiles.
- Acts 11 essentially has 2 main movements: (1) Peter reports on his Gentile encounter to the Jerusalem church (10:1-18); and (2) a description of the church planted in Antioch from the scattered seeds of persecution.
- Today’s episode will look at the way the church handled this new movement of Gentiles in the church and then how the church spread in Antioch.
Part 1: When Growth Brings Strife
- Chapter 11 opens with the beginning of a conflict that will continue throughout the book of Acts. We see that the word has spread throughout Judea that the Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit. When Peter returns to Jerusalem, we see “the circumcision party criticized him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them'” (Acts 11:2-3)
- This group – “the circumcision party” – was a group of very strict Jewish Christians. As we see some of the controversy develop through the book of Acts and some of Paul’s letters, it appears that they believed that Gentiles had to become converts to Judaism prior to becoming Christians. This would have included adhering to circumcision, dietary restrictions, and other ritual laws.
- And if you were an Israelite at the time, it could have made total sense! In order to become part of God’s people, you had to become part of His chosen people throughout history to that point. That is how other people became part of Israel. So why would it be different now?
- Peter responds by telling the story of Acts chapter 10. If you did not watch that episode, I have provided a link in the description.
- At the conclusion of his recounting the story, he reminds them of the words of Jesus — and it is good to remember that all those present at this meeting would have professed Jesus as Lord and the Messiah.
- ‘”John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ [And Peter adds] If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:16-17)
- The point he is making is similar to what he told the Sanhedrin a few chapters previous — you decide if we should listen to God or not!
- Or similar to Gamaliel in Acts 5:39 — “if [this thing] is of God, you will not be able to overthrown them. You might even be found opposing God!”
- And the result was this – “they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, ‘Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life”‘ (Acts 11:18).
- I would like to make three points of application on this verse. First, note the usage of language – “God has granted repentance” — my friend, repentance itself is a gift from God! That our eyes would be so opened to behold our desperate need for Him and our hearts so convicted and awakened that we would turn to Him — that is not natural to humanity.
- Second, note that they mention “repentance that leads to life” — this phrase implies two truths: (1) that there is repentance, of a disingenuous kind, that that does not lead to life. We would point to John the Baptist’s words, “bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” And (2) that “life” is not obtained without genuine repentance.
- The third point of application — these believers rejoiced and glorified God when they heard that these Gentiles (people with whom they were enemies) were granted repentance that leads to life! What about us? Do we rejoice at the conversion of our enemies or those we have never met?
- Well, with this matter regarding Gentile inclusion addressed in Jerusalem, Luke now pans the camera angle to the church scattered abroad.
Part 2: Here they were First Called Christians
- As the church was spread due to the persecution that arose over Stephen, we see them going as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch. “The Word” was proclaimed to Jews and Hellenists (that is Greek-speaking non-Jews). We read, “the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord” (Acts 11:21).
- When the report came to church in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. And when he saw “the grace of God” – that is, what God was doing in the hearts and lives of the believers in transforming them to followers of Christ — when he saw this, he was glad! And “[Barnabas] exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose” (11:23).
- Friend, this is a good phrase to commit to memory and recall on all occasions! “Remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.”
- When I face frustrations – “remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose”
- When I am sieged by temptation – “remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose”
- When what is easy means compromise – “remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose”
- When the world around me applies its pressures, calls me to cave, threatening canceling, shaming, mocking, or any of its other means of coercion – “remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose”
- May you remain faithful to the Lord — not wavering in your love for and submission to Him
- May you remain faithful with steadfast purpose — that the overarching purpose of your life is to Honor and Serve Christ. That when you are asked what the motivating factor is for your life, your answer to “the why”, is rooted in faithfulness to the Faithful One.
- Friend, this is a good phrase to commit to memory and recall on all occasions! “Remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.”
- So, as Barnabas continues to see the work being done in Antioch, he sees a further need that they may be established in this new faith. And he then proceeds to bring Saul from his hometown of Tarsus to help him in the ministry at Antioch.
- This would provide Saul vital experience in bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles (as we heard would happen from Jesus in 9:15) — and prepare both he and Barnabas for their bigger missionary efforts that will start in Chapter 13.
- Consider also the importance of Discipleship. Barnabas was not satisfied to see these believers having merely received the Word of God — they needed also to grow in the faith which they had now received.
- As the church in Antioch continued to grow, we see that here they “were first called Christians.” This was likely a label that was applied to them by the public in Antioch.
- This is important for two reasons: (1) the church was beginning to be recognized as distinct from other groups – and not merely a “sect of Jews” – but their own identity; (2) they were label Christian because of their overwhelming association with “Christ.” You can easily see how this would be the case — they were known for their emphasis in preaching and conversation that Jesus Christ died for their sins and rose from the dead and now had made them who they are.
- And that brings me to the application.
- This is important for two reasons: (1) the church was beginning to be recognized as distinct from other groups – and not merely a “sect of Jews” – but their own identity; (2) they were label Christian because of their overwhelming association with “Christ.” You can easily see how this would be the case — they were known for their emphasis in preaching and conversation that Jesus Christ died for their sins and rose from the dead and now had made them who they are.
Conclusion & Application:
- Friend, as we conclude this episode, I would like to ask you – does your life bear witness to this Jesus Christ? You can almost always tell what a person is passionate about — they often talk all about it. Whether it is sports, a new hobby, a boyfriend or girlfriend, a new vehicle or possession — they cannot help but speak about what they treasure. Do you, my friend, treasure Christ?
- Would the subject of your speech and the content of conduct be such that people would associate you with Jesus?
- And once again, may we remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose! How can we do that? We need to feed and grow our faith. Just like a muscle, which is strengthened with exercise, let us exercise our faith in the Lord.
- We can do this through a regular time to seek the Lord – such as having a quiet time – I made a short series on this, see the provided link
- We can do this through regularly meeting with fellow believers to worship God
- We can do this through serving the church and local community
- We can do this through digging deep into our walk and growing in spiritual disciplines
- Let us make – this day – a decision to remain faithful to our Lord!
- As always, my friend, [TRANSITION TO END SCREEN] Thank you so much for joining me today on Byte-Size Theology
- Until next time friends, May our Great and Gracious God grant you focused, faithful, and fruitful time in His Word! See you over in the next episode!
LINKS:
“ESV Study Bible” (https://amzn.to/3azWAlJ)
Find the PDF of the reading plan here: https://bytesizetheology.com/2022-summer-reading-challenge/
How to Have a Quiet Time Playlist: https://bit.ly/3NE6YH7
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