Acts 11:19-26
English
Standard Version (ESV)
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[a] 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. 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. And
in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
Sometimes we
wonder why bad things happen to us and sometimes we will actually find out why
and other times we will spend a lifetime wondering. In our scripture reading for today, we find
out the results of the horrible persecution of the new believers that resulted
in the death of Stephan. Stephan may
have wondered why he wasn’t saved from the mob but I don’t think so, I believe
the glory of the Lord overshadowed any doubt that may have come across his
mind. The people, however, reacted out
of fear, they scattered, but they did not let their fear consume them, rather,
continued to spread the Gospel. They
knew the possible results of their sharing of the Gospel but they continued and
the church grew. It grew because people
were not ashamed and did not let fear hold them captive. It was because some chose to reach outside of
their comfort zone and witness to those of a different culture than
themselves. Because of these things,
through the work of the Holy Spirit the church grew.
Have you ever
wondered from where the word “Christian” came?
It is right here in the Bible, verse 26, “And in Antioch the disciples
were first called Christians.”
Wow, that was a long time ago! Do
you consider yourself a disciple of Christ?
Are you following Christ? Are you
learning from His Word? Are you growing
in your faith? Are you telling others of
His good news? If so, you can rightfully
be called a Christian.
As you seek Him
today, remember, that a Christian is a disciple of Christ. You too can share His love, grace, and
forgiveness to others, that is what makes the church grow. May you have the faith to trust solely in Him
and the courage to share the Gospel no matter what your situation or circumstance.
Seeking Him with
all my heart,
Sheila
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