Study No. 12 - Chapter 11:22 -30 – From Disciple to Christian
Ac 11:19 ¶ Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.
This is a statement by Luke in which he refers to something in the past. In other words, he is saying, ever since the persecution which began with the death of Stephen, the scattered believers went far and wide preaching and planting churches … but up to now … reaching out only to Jews. What he says in verse 20 is, the church now changes focus to include Gentiles.
Several years have elapsed.. We are now reading about a ‘great number’ of Gentile conversions that recently have occurred.
The evangelists appear to be Christians from Crete and Cyprus who have come over to Antioch, (a church, at the time made up of converted Jews) and began leading many Gentiles to Christ. These are added to the Antioch church. Try to picture this … the church is growing in numbers … and likely in meeting places. Regardless of how many smaller assemblies there were in a city, the reference to the church in a city is always in the singular.
News reaches the ‘mother’ church in Jerusalem where the apostles have been remaining. Barnabas, a native of Cyprus, seems to have settled into Jerusalem ever since Pentecost. His name comes up again. (22)
Barnabas is sent to inspect and evaluate what is happening. Barnabas is very happy with what he finds here and stays with them, encouraging through teaching, preaching and in any way he could. Many more are added to their number. The ministry grows to such a proportion that Barnabas recognizes the need for help … and also sees a place where Saul could now fit in. (25)
Saul comes to Antioch at Barnabas’ request and the two of them work with the city wide church for a whole year. A wonderful thing happens … the believers are, for the very first time, referred to by outsiders … as Christians.
The Date? About AD 45 was the first use of the word ‘Christian’. It was a name given to the believers by outsiders, and it would be some time before Christians ever used the name to describe themselves.
Other references to ‘Christian’.
Ac 26:28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian." (This conversation took place around AD 58)
1Pe 4:16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. (Peter wrote this about AD 64)
The book of Acts was written about AD 66, And yet even Luke, after telling us about the disciples being called Christians first in Antioch (in ad45) still says in verse 29, “Then the disciples …” instead of saying, “Then the Christians …”. So even 10 years after the name was invented, Luke is not comfortable to use the name. Why?
To say, ‘I am a disciple of Jesus’, is to say … I am a learner. That is, I am still learning, I have not arrived. To say, ‘I am a Christian’ is to say, ‘I have arrived. I am Christ-like.’
For the early disciples to have been called ‘christian’ by the outsiders can only be for one reason. And, as we have seen, it is not because the disciples called themselves Christians
It is because of what was seen and heard by the community at large.
They saw a holy people.
2Ti 2:19 ¶ Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
They saw caring people.
Jesus said John 13:35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
The community of Antioch saw the actions of the early believers. They saw that they cared for one another and they saw love in action as we read in the next section:
They saw believing people
A famine was predicted which came to pass in approximately AD 47 (Actually 3 more famines came during the reign of Claudius). If I am understanding this correctly, the church believed the word of the prophets and began setting aside ‘relief’ for the Jerusalem church … even before the famine arrived!
In Acts 4:34 it was said of the Jerusalem church: "Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, (35) and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need." That was a few years earlier. A famine was coming, and apparently the Jerusalem church was in financial trouble even before the famine came, so the Antioch church began laying up relief supplies. Perhaps a long-term negative effect happened after so many extra properties were sold and all goods were shared equally. The 'mega' church had great needs and perhaps many not employed. It would appear that they are now feeling the crunch, even before the actual world-wide famine became a reality.
And what was it that ‘produced’ holy, caring and believing people?
Ac 11:26 and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
The net effect of good teaching and eager-to-learn disciples is a new nickname. Christ-like!
May we too, learn to live what we are being taught!
_______ Extra Study _____
Ps 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.
What do you know about the ministry of angels? Look at the following verses and comment. (Comment on additional verses about angels if you like)
Daniel 3:25, 28, 6:22 and Heb 1:14
This is a statement by Luke in which he refers to something in the past. In other words, he is saying, ever since the persecution which began with the death of Stephen, the scattered believers went far and wide preaching and planting churches … but up to now … reaching out only to Jews. What he says in verse 20 is, the church now changes focus to include Gentiles.
Several years have elapsed.. We are now reading about a ‘great number’ of Gentile conversions that recently have occurred.
The evangelists appear to be Christians from Crete and Cyprus who have come over to Antioch, (a church, at the time made up of converted Jews) and began leading many Gentiles to Christ. These are added to the Antioch church. Try to picture this … the church is growing in numbers … and likely in meeting places. Regardless of how many smaller assemblies there were in a city, the reference to the church in a city is always in the singular.
News reaches the ‘mother’ church in Jerusalem where the apostles have been remaining. Barnabas, a native of Cyprus, seems to have settled into Jerusalem ever since Pentecost. His name comes up again. (22)
Barnabas is sent to inspect and evaluate what is happening. Barnabas is very happy with what he finds here and stays with them, encouraging through teaching, preaching and in any way he could. Many more are added to their number. The ministry grows to such a proportion that Barnabas recognizes the need for help … and also sees a place where Saul could now fit in. (25)
Saul comes to Antioch at Barnabas’ request and the two of them work with the city wide church for a whole year. A wonderful thing happens … the believers are, for the very first time, referred to by outsiders … as Christians.
The Date? About AD 45 was the first use of the word ‘Christian’. It was a name given to the believers by outsiders, and it would be some time before Christians ever used the name to describe themselves.
Other references to ‘Christian’.
Ac 26:28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian." (This conversation took place around AD 58)
1Pe 4:16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. (Peter wrote this about AD 64)
The book of Acts was written about AD 66, And yet even Luke, after telling us about the disciples being called Christians first in Antioch (in ad45) still says in verse 29, “Then the disciples …” instead of saying, “Then the Christians …”. So even 10 years after the name was invented, Luke is not comfortable to use the name. Why?
To say, ‘I am a disciple of Jesus’, is to say … I am a learner. That is, I am still learning, I have not arrived. To say, ‘I am a Christian’ is to say, ‘I have arrived. I am Christ-like.’
For the early disciples to have been called ‘christian’ by the outsiders can only be for one reason. And, as we have seen, it is not because the disciples called themselves Christians
It is because of what was seen and heard by the community at large.
They saw a holy people.
2Ti 2:19 ¶ Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
They saw caring people.
Jesus said John 13:35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
The community of Antioch saw the actions of the early believers. They saw that they cared for one another and they saw love in action as we read in the next section:
They saw believing people
A famine was predicted which came to pass in approximately AD 47 (Actually 3 more famines came during the reign of Claudius). If I am understanding this correctly, the church believed the word of the prophets and began setting aside ‘relief’ for the Jerusalem church … even before the famine arrived!
In Acts 4:34 it was said of the Jerusalem church: "Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, (35) and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need." That was a few years earlier. A famine was coming, and apparently the Jerusalem church was in financial trouble even before the famine came, so the Antioch church began laying up relief supplies. Perhaps a long-term negative effect happened after so many extra properties were sold and all goods were shared equally. The 'mega' church had great needs and perhaps many not employed. It would appear that they are now feeling the crunch, even before the actual world-wide famine became a reality.
And what was it that ‘produced’ holy, caring and believing people?
Ac 11:26 and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
The net effect of good teaching and eager-to-learn disciples is a new nickname. Christ-like!
May we too, learn to live what we are being taught!
_______ Extra Study _____
Ps 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.
What do you know about the ministry of angels? Look at the following verses and comment. (Comment on additional verses about angels if you like)
Daniel 3:25, 28, 6:22 and Heb 1:14