INTRODUCTION

1. The Kingdom of God

a) It had expanded to Jerusalem

b) All Judea

c) Samaria

d) Reaching the end of the earth was yet to be attempted

2. The Door of the Gentile Ministry

a) This was opened by the Apostle Peter

b) He preached to Cornelius, a Gentile centurion

c) His family and friends entered into the Kingdom of God

d) But the ministry to the Gentiles was not fully comprehended

1 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him,

3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!” Acts 11:1-3

i) The other apostles queried Peter

ii) Peter had to explain his ministry to Cornelius

iii) Finally, the Church leaders understood

When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying,

“Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” Acts 11:18

 

PREACHING ONLY TO JEWS

19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia,

Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.

20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who,

when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.

21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Acts 11:19-21

1. The Word of God was preached by the Diaspora brethren

2. But only to the Jews

3. Not all had understood that God was including the Gentiles into His Kingdom

4. The hand of the Lord was with the Diaspora brethren

a) To lead

b) To affirm

c) To bless

 

THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH, SYRIA

22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem,

and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.

23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad,

and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.

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 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.

26 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 in Antioch. Acts 11:22-26

1. News came to Jerusalem of a Church starting up in Antioch, Syria

2. Barnabas was sent by the Jerusalem Church to check

a) For he was a good man

b) Full of the Holy Spirit

c) And of faith Acts 11:24

3. He saw the grace of God at work

a) Many were coming to faith in the Lord

b) The Church was growing rapidly

4. He realised he needed help

a) He went to Tarsus, Cilicia to look for Saul

b) They ministered together effectively for a whole year

5. At Antioch

a) Believers were first called “Christians”

b) They were called “disciples of Christ”

 

THE FIRST MISSIONARIES

1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers:

Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said,

“Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 13:1-3

1. Gentiles were to be reached

2. They were outside Israel

3. The Holy Spirit’s involvement

a) Barnabas and Saul were to be set apart

b) There was a special work that they were called to do

4. The Church leaders

a) They fasted

b) They prayed

c) They were convinced that the Holy Spirit had indeed called Barnabas and Saul to another sphere of ministry

5. The First Missionary had begun

a) Saul and Barnabas would meet with resounding success

b) They would face opposition

c) But the hand of the Lord would be with them

 

CONCLUSION

44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.

45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy;

and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.

46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first;

but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

47 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,

That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord.

And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. Acts 13:44-49

1. “Behold, we turn to the Gentiles” Acts 13:46

a) Paul and Barnabas realised the work the Spirit of Gid had called them to do

b) Paul would go on to develop a strong ministry to the Gentiles

2. “A light to the Gentiles” Acts 13:47

a) This was the fourth part of the Commission of the Lord Acts 1:8

b) This was the beginning to reach the ends of the earth

3. May we fulfil the Lord’s commission

a) To make disciples Matthew 28:18-20

b) To bear witness faithfully Acts 1:8