Lessons from Antioch Church
Acts: The Unfinished Story of the Church Series [24]
Acts 11:19-30
August 26, 2012
Pastor Paul K. Kim
PROGRESSIVE EXPANSION OF
THE GOSPEL IN THE EARLY CHURCH
The gospel was preached…
•To native Jews [Hebraic Jews] (2:41).
•To Jews with Greek culture [Hellenistic Jews] (6:1-7).
•To half Jews [Samaritans] (8:4-24).
•To a Gentile with Jewish beliefs [Ethiopian Eunuch] (8:26-40).
•To Gentiles with Jewish beliefs [“God-fearers”/Cornelius and
his household] (10:1-11:18).
•To Gentiles with Greek culture [Hellenists] (11:19-30)
WHAT KEY LESSONS CAN WE
LEARN FROM ANTIOCH CHURCH?
1) On lifestyle as Christians (vs.19-21): They lived out a missional
lifestyle, reaching out to and sharing with the Gentiles as well.
19 Now
those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose
over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking
the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of
Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the
Hellenists also,
preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them,
and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. (vs.19-21)
 Christians in Antioch lived as “Christ-sent” people—their
life was missional without a title or position.
 Their witness for Christ was unstoppable and inclusive for
all peoples—Gentiles and Jews.
 This is also Christ’s call for us to live out our life as “Christsent” people into the city in which we live.
Living as “Christ-sent” People in the World
When the persecuted believers arrived in Antioch, they did
not at all feel intimidated by the magnificence of the
buildings or the pride of the citizens. The Word of God was
on their lips and the hand of God was on their witness, and “a
great number” of sinners repented and believed. It was the
thrilling work of God’s wonderful grace.
- Warren Wiersbe
WHAT KEY LESSONS CAN WE
LEARN FROM ANTIOCH CHURCH?
2) On church leadership (vs. 22-26a): Barnabas & Saul’s character
as well as competence were instrumental for the church.
22 The
report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace
of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord
with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit
and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So
Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found
him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with
the church and taught a great many people. (vs.22-26a)
 Barnabas’ three noted qualifications were (1) good
character, (2) full of the Spirit, and (3) full of faith. Why?
 The humility and spiritual vitality are key to church
leadership even more than giftedness and competence.
 This ought to be also our standard for the church in our days.
WHAT KEY LESSONS CAN WE
LEARN FROM ANTIOCH CHURCH?
3) On identity as believers (v.26b): The unbelieving public’s epithet
for the believers shows their radical Christ-centeredness in word
and deed.
And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. (v.26b)
 The word, “Christian” [Gk. Christianoi] was given by
outsider unbelievers as a derogatory nickname such as
“Jesus freaks” but they embraced it with gladness. Why?
 Their faith and life was all about Christ—the reality of
being a Christ’s man/woman was a honor to them.
 We must redeem this name for us by living out radically
centered lives before the world.
 In our days, there are two wrong practices that we should
avoid: (1) being a cultural Christian only by name and (2)
being a savvy believer who is ashamed of the name.
7 For
none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself.
8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord.
So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.
9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might
be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
Romans 14:7-9
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21
I have been crucified with Christ.
It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
WHAT KEY LESSONS CAN WE
LEARN FROM ANTIOCH CHURCH?
4) On love in action (vs. 27-30): Their faith was real in showing
their concern and care for the Jerusalem church in need.
27 Now
in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit
that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in
the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according
to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did
so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. (vs.27-30)
 Their faith was holistic—i.e., following Jesus in all and
everyday—rather than compartmentalized.
 Each one of them responded with cheerful generosity to
give to their Jewish brothers & sisters in Christ.
 So is our faith validated as alive or dead according to how we
respond to brothers and sisters in need.
THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE
1.
What first steps do I need to take in order to change my
lifestyle from a spiritual consumer to a missional disciple?
1.
How can I embrace my “Christian” identity by living out
radically Christ-centered life in word and deed?
1.
What is one thing I can do to practice Christian love in action
these days?