“Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.” -Acts 11:26-27 NKJV).
To read the Acts of the Apostles is to read a Spirit-filled account of the work and growth of the early church. The people and events blend together in a rich and always awe-inspiring record of the mighty power of God at work as His church and kingdom progressed. Jesus’ prophecy spoken to His disciples before His death was coming true as events unfolded: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12).
Let’s review some of these mighty works. As the disciples and followers prayed in one accord, the Holy Spirit descended upon them. Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost and three thousand believed. As they continued “in one accord,” then “the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).
Healings took place in the name of the Lord. Before persecution came to scatter the believers abroad, the disciples preached boldly on the portico of the temple, in the streets, and from house to house. Seven deacons were chosen to “wait on tables,” that is, to serve the poor and needy, so the disciples could give themselves to study and preaching. The stoning of Stephen, tragedy though it was, became a springboard for greater revelation and spread of the gospel. Philip, one of the twelve, went down to Samaria preaching the word, and many believed, including multitudes, a sorcerer, and the Ethiopian eunuch, a man who was important in the court of Queen Candace. Saul of Tarsus, a devout Jew, out to persecute Christians, was converted on the road to Damascus, taken in and instructed by Ananias, befriended and championed by Barnabas before the saints in Jerusalem. Peter had a vision that no one or nothing is unclean and preached boldly to the household of Cornelius, seeing that the Gentiles, too, were included in God’s plan for redemption. The Holy Spirit came upon Gentile believers, as He had come upon the disciples and other followers after the Ascension.
And then Barnabas preached at Antioch, found Paul the newly converted, newly anointed apostle, and together they spent a year preaching and doing the work of Christ in Antioch of Syria. Antioch was the third largest city of that era, after Rome in Italy and Alexandria in Egypt. It was there the believers were first called Christians. Because their speech, actions and nature were like that of Christ, they were called “Christians”—“like Christ” or “little Christs”. The name, then and now, denotes a personal relationship to Christ, and intention to follow Him, regardless of circumstances. As a Christian, each bears the name of Christ and has a holy and binding commitment to live by His teachings and follow His leadership. Through Christians and their witness today, God’s work still progresses with mighty power. May we each be found faithful and radiate the Truth of the Lord Christ, be “like Christ.”
Let’s review some of these mighty works. As the disciples and followers prayed in one accord, the Holy Spirit descended upon them. Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost and three thousand believed. As they continued “in one accord,” then “the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).
Healings took place in the name of the Lord. Before persecution came to scatter the believers abroad, the disciples preached boldly on the portico of the temple, in the streets, and from house to house. Seven deacons were chosen to “wait on tables,” that is, to serve the poor and needy, so the disciples could give themselves to study and preaching. The stoning of Stephen, tragedy though it was, became a springboard for greater revelation and spread of the gospel. Philip, one of the twelve, went down to Samaria preaching the word, and many believed, including multitudes, a sorcerer, and the Ethiopian eunuch, a man who was important in the court of Queen Candace. Saul of Tarsus, a devout Jew, out to persecute Christians, was converted on the road to Damascus, taken in and instructed by Ananias, befriended and championed by Barnabas before the saints in Jerusalem. Peter had a vision that no one or nothing is unclean and preached boldly to the household of Cornelius, seeing that the Gentiles, too, were included in God’s plan for redemption. The Holy Spirit came upon Gentile believers, as He had come upon the disciples and other followers after the Ascension.
And then Barnabas preached at Antioch, found Paul the newly converted, newly anointed apostle, and together they spent a year preaching and doing the work of Christ in Antioch of Syria. Antioch was the third largest city of that era, after Rome in Italy and Alexandria in Egypt. It was there the believers were first called Christians. Because their speech, actions and nature were like that of Christ, they were called “Christians”—“like Christ” or “little Christs”. The name, then and now, denotes a personal relationship to Christ, and intention to follow Him, regardless of circumstances. As a Christian, each bears the name of Christ and has a holy and binding commitment to live by His teachings and follow His leadership. Through Christians and their witness today, God’s work still progresses with mighty power. May we each be found faithful and radiate the Truth of the Lord Christ, be “like Christ.”
c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Tuesday, April 20, 2010
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