The Beginning of the Church at Antioch.

The Book of Acts  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  29:06
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Two Churches
1. Church at Jerusalem -
Aramaic-speaking Jewish Christians
2. Church at Antioch -
Greek-speaking Jewish Christians
After the death of Stephen believers fled for their safety.
Antioch
Third largest city in the Roman Empire.
Next only to Rome and Alexandria.
Had between half a million to 800,000 people.
Was name for its founder’s father Antiochus.
Main street 4 miles long paved with marble and had marble colonnades on both sides.
Known for its immorality. - it was know for its worship of the Assyrian goddess Astarte, in which sacred prostitution played a major role.
A busy port city which brought all walks of life together. Many different culture.
Great place for evangelism.

The Forming of the Church.

Acts 11:19–21 NASB95
19 So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and 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 also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.
The Scattered
The use of the word “Scattered” takes us back to Acts 8:1
Acts 8:1 NASB95
1 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
The persecution scattered or sent the believers abroad for their safety.
Note that it was the church people the believers not the apostles who scattered.
We read here that many of them went North to Phoenicia, Cyprus, and even Antioch.
The Hand of the Lord
The Lord was working through these men.
Many believed and turned to the Lord.

The Endorsement of the Church.

Acts 11:22–24 NASB95
22 The news about them reached the ears of the church at 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 of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.
The Church in Jerusalem.
The church in Jerusalem would have been the main church at the time.
As some would call it the mother church.
It is where the apostles started and the direct connection had been.
The Supervision of the church in Jerusalem.
Peter and John to Samaria (8:14-17)
The inquiring of Peter and Cornelius (11:1-8)
Paul and Barnabas reported to them in (15:1-35)
This also lead to their encouragement.
the church would give their as we would say it “stamp of approval.”
The church sends Barnabas.
While it might seem unfair or different this time the church sent Barnabas.
Barnabas was not an apostle like the church had sent out before.
While Barnabas might not have been an apostle he was probably the best man for this job.
He had a relationship with the Hellenists, he was native of Cyprus and probably spoke Greek fluently.
Also his name ment “the son of encouragement” which is exactly what the church in Antioch needed.
Barnabas was know as a “bridge-builder,” as one has said Barnabas was one who was able to see the positive aspects in both sides of an issue and to mediate between perspectives.
The strength of the church at Antioch.
Acts 11:23 NASB95
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;
Acts 11:23 KJV 1900
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.
They remained true
Warren Wiersbe stated: “It means that we belong to Him alone and that we cultivate our devotion to Him.”
We read in the book of Matthew that no one can serve two masters.
Also in Genesis 2:24 we read that a man shall cleave unto his wife. They shall become one flesh. He is to be devoted only to his wife.
Genesis 2:24 KJV 1900
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

The Increase of the Church.

Acts 11:25–26 NASB95
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; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Barnabas goes after help.
Barnabas went after Saul or Paul as we know him better.
Saul was his Jewish name and Paul was his Greek name.
Paul had returned home to Tarsus after his time in Jerusalem defending his work in Caesarea with Gentiles.
Barnabas must not have know exactly where Paul was at because he had to look for him.
Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch.
After Barnabas found Paul they returned
they stayed there a year and taught the people.
They were first called Christians here.
The term Christians is only used two other times. That make a total of only three times in the entirety of the New Testament.
Acts 26:28
Acts 26:28 NASB95
28 Agrippa replied to Paul, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.”
1 Peter 4:16
1 Peter 4:16 NASB95
16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
This was term not give by the church but from people outside the church.
The word Christian is made up of two parts
a Greek word (Christos) meaning “Christ”
and with a Latin ending “ianus” which means belonging to, or identified by
Being belonging to Christ or identified with Christ.
This was just of people know as Christ followers.
Their life style would have had to show that they were identified with Christ.

The Unity of the Church.

Acts 11:27–30 NASB95
27 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. 29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
Foretelling of Famine
Agabus a prophet from Jerusalem.
Also shows up in Acts 21:10-11 foretelling of Paul’s arrest.
Acts 21:10–11 NASB95
10 As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”
Abagus foretold of a future famine that was coming on the world.
Luke noted in verse 28 that this did actually take place.
The offering
those who heard this gave an offering to send to Judea to help.
They sent it by way of the Barnabas and Paul.
They church unified to help out each other.
CONCLUSION
The church grew because of persecution and the work of the Lord.
All churches need a Barnabas.
a peace maker
not out for their own glory but finding the best in others
The Church was in unity and took care of each other.
They were being followers of Christ and support of each other not just their own interest.
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