Luke had just documented one of the biggest happenings in Scripture. The Jewish and Gentile believers were now being brought together in unity to worship God and would comprise the church. This message of salvation through Jesus Christ to all had been entrusted to both peoples and now they were to spread out into all regions to share this good news with everyone. Cornelius (a Gentile) and Peter (a Jew) had both received visions from God about the future of the church and were eyewitnesses to the Gentiles’ conversion and receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 10). After this great move of God, Peter returns to Jerusalem and explains what he had witnessed, but the Jews reacted with skepticism (11:1-3). However, Peter explained that God had commanded him to go to the Gentiles and they finally rejoiced that God had “granted to the Gentiles repentance to life” (11:4-18).
Luke’s next words review the result of the persecution (Acts 8:1-3) which had occurred after the martyrdom of Stephen. Many believers in Jesus Christ had fled into various regions to escape persecution by the Pharisees and so-called religious people, but now they were preaching salvation to the Jews in those outlying areas and many were turning to the Lord (11:19-21). Luke even mentions that among those being saved were Hellenists (Greek speaking non-Jews) who were residing in Antioch. When the church at Jerusalem heard of all that was transpiring in Antioch, they sent Barnabas to them (11:22). Luke writes, “When he [Barnabas] came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord” (11:23). Barnabas departed Antioch to find Saul and upon finding him, they returned to Antioch (11:25). Saul and Barnabas remained in Antioch for one year, assembling with the people and teaching them about their new found faith in Jesus Christ and the “disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (11:26). For anyone wondering where the term “Christian” first began, it was here in Antioch. This name, meaning “of the party of Christ,” was not a self-given label, but rather a name of scorn given by those who opposed the message of the church. To be called a “Christian” meant that an individual stood against false gods and erroneous systems of worship (Judaism) in order to embrace forgiveness of sin offered through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Being a Christian was not popular, often resulting in rejection by family and friends as well as persecution. Although I am certain these people feared what may happen as a result of accepting Jesus Christ as the Messiah (Savior), the fear of rejecting Jesus’ payment for sin weighed heavier on their hearts. In our modern society, a Christian may be rejected, despised, and belittled by others; however, we must remember that this life is not the end for us. And may those of us in America not forget about those whose persecution is not just verbal, but each day they face imprisonment, physical abuse, and even death for being a Christian. I believe this is why Jesus warned His disciples about the world’s reaction to their message: “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:18-19).
Dear God, thank You for those who courageously evidenced their faith in Jesus Christ and did not value the opinion of those surrounding them. Give Your church courage as we give our loyalty to You alone and may we ignore the voices of those who would try to silence our message.
