Acts 11: Are You A Christian?
Verse of the Day: (V26) “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
1. Christ (V1-21)
V17 “Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?”
Apostle Peter explained to the Jewish Christians that God spoke to him in a dream to preach the Gospel of Christ not only to the Jews but also to the Gentiles. Initially the Jewish Christians had difficulty in accepting Peter’s explanation, but they soon realised that their salvation was God’s gift to them. Indeed, for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, that whosoever, whether Jews or Gentiles, believes in Him shall never perish, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven.
V18 “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”
2. Cleave (V22-24)
V22 “Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.”
God convicted the church in Jerusalem to send Barnabas, a man of faith, to preach the Gospel of Christ to the Jews as well as the Gentiles in Antioch. Barnabas obeyed God and immediately went to Antioch to preach the Gospel, and many believed and trusted in God. He then taught the new disciples to grow spiritually by cleaving their hearts to God.
V23 “Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.”
3. Christians (V25-30)
V25 “Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:”
As the church in Antioch grew, Barnabas went to Tarsus to enlist Saul to help him in the preaching and teaching ministry. Saul was more than willing to serve alongside with Barnabas. They led many souls to the Lord, and many were baptized and added to the church. In fact, it was at Antioch, that the disciples of Christ were first called Christians.
V26 “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am a Christian by the grace of God.
