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Commentary on "Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles"
Day 5: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 - The Gospel Goes to the Gentiles
Overview
We are looking at events that transpired in Antioch of Syria where large numbers of Greek speaking non-Jews called Hellenists were first responding to the gospel message of Jesus Christ. This is where Christ followers were first called Christians. The theme text for today is Acts 11:20-26.
Observations
Persecution of the followers of Jesus Christ broke out as a result of the stoning of Stephen with refugees immigrating to safer regions including Antioch of Syria preaching the gospel to all who would listen.
Word reached Jerusalem that:
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. (Acts 11:20-21 ESV)
The Hellenists were Greek speaking non-Jews who were responding to the gospel message. They were of the same group that had stoned Stephen and had caused the current persecution that had resulted in the refugees being in Antioch in the first place. Report of this so intrigued the church in Jerusalem they sent Barnabas to investigate, Acts 11:22.
Barnabas, a mature godly man, was so amazed and excited by what he found he went looking for Saul and brought him back to Antioch where the two of them ‘met with the church and taught a great many people’, Acts 11:26. Obviously Barnabas was aware that Saul was God’s personally appointed apostle to the Gentiles.
Moving on down to Acts chapter thirteen the Holy Spirit speaks directly to the church in Antioch:
Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:1-3 ESV)
Summary
- The hand of God was in all that transpired including the conflict with the Hellenists that resulted in the stoning of Stephen and the persecution that forced refugees to disperse to places such as Antioch of Syria.
- The preaching of the gospel moved the hearts of the Hellenists in Antioch to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.
- Barnabas, seeing what was happening with the Hellenists, brought Saul to Antioch and the two of them taught and built up the church. Christ followers now become known as Christians.
- In God’s own timing, the Holy Spirit now sent Barnabas and Saul on the first missionary journey into the greater Gentile world where to gospel of Jesus Christ had never been preached. Saul becomes known as Paul.
Copyright 2011 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised September 19, 2011. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
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