July 6, 2014
Evening Service

As we continue in the Book of Acts, God’s plan is unfolding step by step right before our eyes.  What an exciting time for those who are experiencing God moving in such mighty ways.  Their whole world was being turned upside down as God built His church.  First the Holy Spirit was given in dramatic fashion on the day of Pentecost.  Good times followed as the church grew quickly.  Persecution came with the martyrdom of Stephen and the scattering of the church.  Saul the chief persecutor has now been called and will soon become a prominent church leader.  The latest event is that now salvation has also come to the Gentiles.

We have to place this new revelation into perspective.  The Jewish people have always been taught from God Himself to keep themselves separate from all other nations (Gentiles).  The Jews were instructed not to even enter into a Gentile’s house, let alone eat with them.  Now, to think that God had included them into His perfect plan of salvation was a difficult thing to believe.  God had certainly made it crystal clear to Peter of what He wanted through both the vision and also the dramatic results that came even before he finished his sermon.  Now as we begin chapter 11, Peter has to explain to his fellow Jewish Christians of what God has done.

Act 11:1-3 And the apostles and brothers who were in Judea heard that the nations had also received the Word of God.  (2)  And when Peter had come up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, (3) saying,” You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

·         Though they did not have cell phones or cable television, gossip still spread quickly in those days.

·         Notice the news that was spread; “You went to the Gentiles house and ate with them?”  They did not ask about the miraculous giving of the Holy Spirit to those same Gentiles.  It seems to be a very judgmental attitude in which they inquire. 

·         We too often are quick to judge on a situation without knowing the whole story.  They are wise enough to go right to the source and ask for an explanation of the truth.

 

Act 11:4-17  But Peter related the matter from the beginning and explained it by order to them, saying,  (5)  I was in the city of Joppa praying. And in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel like a sheet coming down, let down from the sky by four corners. And it came even to me.  (6)  When I had fastened my eyes on it, I looked and saw four-footed animals of the earth, and wild beasts, and reptiles, and birds of the heaven.  (7)  And I heard a voice saying to me, “Arise, Peter! Kill and eat!”  (8)  But I said, Not so, Lord, for nothing common or unclean has at any time entered into my mouth.  (9)  But the voice answered me again from the heaven, What God has made clean, you do not call common.  (10)  And this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into the heaven.  (11)  And behold, immediately three men stood at the house in which I was, sent from Caesarea to me.  (12)  And the Spirit told me to go with them, not discriminating. And these six brothers went with me, and we entered the man's house.  (13)  And he declared to us how he had seen an angel in his house, who stood and said to him, Send men to Joppa and call for Simon whose last name is Peter, (14)  who will tell you words by which you and all your house shall be saved.  (15)  And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning.  (16)  And I remembered the Word of the Lord, how He said, John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.  (17)  If God gave to them the same gift as to us, they having believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to be able to prevent God?

·         Peter includes in the retelling of the event that he was not alone.  Six others had accompanied him and witnessed the same things.  They all agreed and testified that this was indeed God’s handy work.  God had granted the Gentiles the “same gift” that He had offered them.

·         The other apostles and Christian brothers now have a choice to make.  Do they believe what they have been taught their whole lives or believe that this is the working of God?

·         We can also find ourselves in this position.  Perhaps we have understood or been taught a certain view on a biblical topic and that view is incorrect.  We must be able to accept anything that can be proven by the Word.  Are we following a doctrine or are we following Jesus?

 

Act 11:18 When they heard these things, they were silent and glorified God, saying, Then God has also granted repentance to life to the Gentiles.

·         We must give credit to these early church leaders, they recognized the work of God and accepted it even if they may not have understood or agreed with it.

·         Yes Lord, not my will but Thine be done.

·         It is a very important point here that it was Peter who used the keys given to him by Jesus to open the door of salvation to the Gentiles.  Later we will see that it is Saul (Paul) that will take the lead on this ministry.  It is a much smoother transition for all that it began this way.

 

Luke now introduces us to a fellowship of the church that God used mightily to spread His gospel message to the entire world.

 

Act 11:19-24 Then, indeed, they who were scattered abroad by the persecution that rose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, preaching the Word to no one except the Jews.  (20)  And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene; who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus.  (21)  And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.  (22)  And the Word was heard in the ears of the church in Jerusalem. And they sent out Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch; (23) who was glad when he had come and had seen the grace of God. And he exhorted all with purpose of heart to remain near to the Lord.  (24)  For he was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And many people were added to the Lord.

·         Antioch was a very influential city located on the river Orontes in Syria, north of Palestine.  It was known as the “third city” of the Roman Empire and dubbed the “Paris of the ancient world.”

·         The word of revival in this city spreads quickly to Jerusalem and they sent Barnabas to investigate.  This is the second time we see him (Acts 4:36-37).  He was full of faith and an encourager.  He was also a man of vision, as we see next.

 

Act 11:25-26 And Barnabas went out to Tarsus to seek Saul.  (26)  And finding him, he brought him to Antioch. And it happened to them a whole year they were assembled in the church. And they taught a considerable crowd. And the disciples were first called Christian in Antioch.

·         Barnabas saw a great opportunity open up for Saul to minister to this newly established church.  He used his gift of encouragement to get Saul to use his gift of preaching and teaching.  It was the perfect scenario.

 

Act 11:27-30 And in these days prophets from Jerusalem came to Antioch.  (28)  And one of them named Agabus stood up and signified by the Spirit that there should be great famine over the world (which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar).  (29)  And the disciples, as any were prospered, determined each of them to send for ministry to those brothers who lived in Judea, (30) which they also did, sending to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

·         Here we see the teaching and preaching of Saul and Barnabas put into action.  They were made aware of a need through prophecy and acted quickly and decisively on it.

·         I feel our fellowship does a wonderful job in this area.  We are blessed to be able to offer help to those of our fellowship and those in need in our community.  When we are able to give outside the Mitchell area, we try to find a church in that community to distribute it.   Jesus has taught us that we are to not only tell people we love them, but also must show them.  We are His Body.

 

We have seen tonight that the leaders of the church have now accepted the Gentiles into the faith.  They were able to discern God’s hand at work and believed Him over the traditions they had been taught their whole lives.  This issue will resurface again in the near future.

 

We have also been introduced to a church at Antioch, which believers there are first called “Christians” or Christ followers.  It is from there that Saul (Paul) and Barnabas will soon go throughout the known world preaching the Good News of Christ.  It is exciting to see God at work as we study this book together. 

 

It is also exciting as we experience the “Acts of the disciples at the Bride of Christ Fellowship.”  Our story continues to be written as we walk together down the path that will lead us to God.

 

 Lord, may we be found full of faith and bring glory to Your Name.