Acts Chapter : 11 Linked
PETER DEFENDS GOD’S GRACE
∗ Peter vindicated his ministry to Gentiles.
∗ Peter returned to Jerusalem.
∗ Peter received criticisms from the Jewish believers for visiting and eating with Gentiles.
∗ “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!” – It was a contemptuous statement on Peter because Gentiles were considered unclean and the Jews were not allowed to mingle with them.
∗ This accusation was similar to what Jesus had received from the religious leaders for eating with tax collectors and sinners.
∗ So Peter was simple and humble enough to narrate the whole incident to the Jews.
∗ Peter explained the vision of Cornelius and his vision; the coming of the Holy Spirit to the Gentile believers and unanimous decision to baptise them.
∗ Peter emphasised the work of God’s Spirit as instrumental in bringing about the events.
∗ Peter’s critics became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”
∗ God was offering salvation even to the Gentiles.
∗ God was removing the distinction between the Jews and the Gentiles.
∗ When God was removing the distinction, what right Peter or anyone else had to harbour in the old prejudice?
∗ Though it was a temporarily settlement, it would take a long time to work through the obstacles.
∗ Though the distinction is marred by God, it would take sometime for the Jews to accept the Gentiles and allow them to be the members of the church whole heartedly.
THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH
The New Name
∗ Reference : Antioch
∗ Antioch was the third largest city in the Roman world, after Rome and Alexandria.
∗ It lay three hundred miles north of Jerusalem, about fifteen miles inland from the Mediterranean Sea.
∗ It’s thickly populated those days including Jews and Gentiles.
∗ It was a popular hedonistic destination, accused by the Roman Satirist Juvenile of having a corrupting influence on Rome itself.
∗ Yet it was there where some of the victims of the persecution in Jerusalem had settled and taught Gospel.
BARNABAS AND SAUL AT ANTIOCH
∗ The hand of the Lord was with them and they believed and turned to the Lord.
∗ Barnabas was sent to Antioch from Jerusalem.
∗ Barnabas was joyous and extorted them and he had a definite purpose in his heart to turn the people to the Lord.
∗ Barnabas was a good man with Holy Spirit in him and turned the people towards God.
∗ He went to Tarsus to seek for Saul.
∗ When he found him, he brought Saul to Antioch.
∗ The church was growing in number with the influence of Barnabas and Saul.
∗ The followers or the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
FAMINE IN JERUSALEM
Reference:
Agabus was an early follower of Christianity mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as a prophet. He is traditionally remembered as one of the Seventy Disciples described in Luke 10:1-24. Born: Antioch, Turkey;Died: Antioch, Turkey
Claudius – Latin: Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus; (1 August 10 BC – 13 October 54 AD) was Roman emperor from 41 to 54. A member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, he was the son of Drusus and Antonia Minor. He was born at Lugdunum in Gaul, the first Roman Emperor to be born outside Italy. Because he was afflicted with a limp and slight deafness due to sickness at a young age, his family ostracised him and excluded him from public office until his consulship, shared with his nephew Caligula in 37.
∗ Prophet Agabus prophesied a great famine throughout the world during the reign of Claudius Augustus.
∗ So Antioch sent relief to Jerusalem.
∗ He played an important role in Paul’s ministry.
∗ There was famine affirmed in Israel.
∗ The famine reached beyond Palestine.
∗ The disciples donated in one accord to relieve famine in Israel.
∗The elders of the church or the godly men of the church were responsible to lead the church and help Judea during the famine.
Let’s pray……
Lord, as You were with the people of Israel, please be with in today’s world, forgive us of all our iniquities, fill our hearts with Holy Spirit and bring salvation to the mankind. Amen.
Glory be to God.
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