Acts: Go & Be Chapters 10-18ናሙና

What is this passage saying?

With Stephen’s death and the heightened persecution against Christians, the early Church dispersed from Jerusalem. As the believers spread out, they brought the saving message of Jesus with them. The Bible states these believers were only witnessing to Jews. In verse 20 we read about some godly men sharing the Gospel with the Hellenists in Antioch. Hellenists were “Greek-speaking non-Jews” (John MacArthur Study Bible). God transcends time and space- He was not just working in the heart of Peter. He was working in Antioch to bring His gospel to the Hellenists. The Church of Jerusalem hears about this and sends Barnabas to see what is going on in Antioch, and he was amazed at the work of the Lord. Barnabas brings Paul with him, and they stay for a year teaching, encouraging, and sharing the gospel. Verse 26 tells us that Antioch was the first place the disciples were called Christians. We have Antioch to thank for our title. With the title 'Christian' being given to followers of Jesus, we see God unifying His people in the Church. Being a Christ follower was their identity and as Tony Evans says, everything in life is defined by that.

What is this passage teaching?

John MacArthur teaches that the term 'Christian' was a term of taunting and it meant, the party of Christ. However, we all know it had the opposite effect- the term obviously stuck. There is no greater honor in life than to be in the party of Christ. There is no one better to be associated with than Jesus our Savior. Tony Evans writes, “It was in Antioch that disciples of Jesus Christ were first called Christians; they were named for the one whom they worshipped and obeyed. If we are going to bear His name in the world, then we must likewise bear His attitudes and actions, His character and conduct.” Does your life look different from the world around you? How is your life different from your neighbor who does not follow Jesus? Morality is very popular- being nice is cool. Now when unsaved people do “nice things” they have no real reason for it other than self-preservation. They adhere to a moral standard without believing in the one who set the standard. For the unsaved person, if they do not kill someone or lie to someone, they are doing pretty well. The reason Christians do not lie, or murder is because this is not of the Lord. We believe in the One who set the moral standard. Read Matthew 5:38-48. Jesus commands His followers to do things that are contrary to human tendencies. Love someone who hates you. Love someone who hurt you. Jesus gives these commands for our lives because these commands are what give us life- true life on earth. We talked earlier about the Israelites being a blessing to the world and how that command is continued for Christians. The way you live in the world around unsaved people matters. If you are telling people that Jesus changed you, you better look different. We are not changing for salvation; we change because we have salvation. Does your life tell a lost and dying world that Jesus was the Messiah? And that His way of life is the only way to live.

How do I respond?

Surrender and submit. Live a life worthy of the Gospel. Live in a way that shows you believe the Word of God. When someone tells you that they love you, but they look like they want to harm you and do absolutely nothing to show you that they even care - do you believe them when they say, “I love you’? Evaluate your life- have you fallen for a gospel that does not transform your life completely? How are you separated from the world? Do you know what Jesus says about living as a Christian?