Monday Acts 11:19-26

The gospel spreads in Antioch.

Click here for an online Bible. Acts 11:19-26

Luke continues his account of the spread of the gospel. Some of the believers who had fled from Jerusalem because of the persecution went to Antioch. They shared the gospel with Gentiles rather than Jews only. Many Gentiles came to Christ in Antioch.

The apostles wanted to make sure that everything was proper so they sent Barnabas to Antioch to check things out. Why Barnabas? Why didn’t one of the apostles go? It may be that Antioch was too foreign for even the apostles. It was not in Judea or even Samaria. It was 300 miles north of Jerusalem. It was a Greek (Hellenist) culture. It was Gentile. Barnabas was the perfect choice. He was a respected Jew. He was trusted by the apostles and the whole church at Jerusalem. He was also a Hellenistic Jew. He was from Cyprus. Note that some of the men who were preaching the gospel in Antioch were also from Cyprus.

Barnabas went to Antioch and saw that the Lord was at work. The task was too big for him so he went to Tarsus to get Saul. Tarsus was about 100 miles west of Antioch and Barnabas knew that Saul had been called by God to reach the Gentiles. We don’t know what Saul had been doing in Tarsus for the last few years. He may have been preaching the gospel to Jews or he may have already been preaching to the Gentiles. But, Barnabas recruited Saul and brought him back to Antioch. They both stayed there for a year and taught the people about Christ.

Barnabas looked for opportunities to get other people engaged in the work of God. He saw a tremendous opportunity in Antioch and knew the right person to work with him. We always need to be on the lookout for opportunities for other to engage in the Lord’s work.

Many people want to serve but they don’t know what to do or how to go about it. As you get to know people, help them find areas of ministry.