Acting Like Antioch

Important as it is, the word "Christian" only appears three times in the Bible. In Acts 26:28, King Agrippa was almost persuaded to become a Christian. Peter says, "If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name" (1 Peter 4:16). And Acts 11:26 tells us "the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch."

Antioch ranked along with Rome and Alexandria as one of the greatest cities of the first-century world, but it was a wicked place filled with drunkenness, idolatry, and prostitution. Curiously, the Bible never mentions Antioch's moral depravity. Instead, it highlights the triumphant spread of the gospel there. The greater the darkness, the brighter a light shines when you turn it on. What happened when they turned on the light in Antioch?

Different ethnic groups came together in Christ. Jewish believers "began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus" (Acts 11:20). This multi-ethnic church grew rapidly as "a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord" (v. 21).

A sister church helped with the work. "News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem" (v. 22). The work in Antioch was new and different, but the established church in Jerusalem didn't react with harsh criticism or dismiss it with an indifferent shrug that said, "We've got enough problems managing our own ministry!" Eager to learn and to offer help, the church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to check things out.

Godly leaders shaped the church's attitude. When Barnabas arrived he "saw the evidence of the grace of God," so "he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts" (v. 23). He "was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith" (v. 24). Healthy, encouraging leaders produce healthy, grace-filled churches.

A team spirit prevailed. As the church expanded in Antioch, Barnabas realized he couldn't do all the work himself, so he found the best staff person available—Saul (Paul) of Tarsus—"and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch" (v. 26). The church isn't a one-man show. If we're going to reach our communities for Christ, we've got to work together.

The believers grew in spiritual maturity. Their inspired preaching team didn't use shallow, ear-tickling sermons to draw a crowd. On the contrary, the church seemed to grow in proportion to the steady proclamation of God's Word. "For a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people" (v. 26).

The church was unselfish with its resources. When their brethren in Judea faced a severe famine, the believers in Antioch collected money, "each according to his ability . . . to provide help for the brothers" (vv. 27-30). Healthy churches care for others and respond to human needs with creative acts of benevolence.

A kingdom perspective guided the church's decisions. Antioch had some of the most effective church leaders in history, yet this church decided to send its top-flight preaching team of Barnabas and Saul to spread God's Word in other lands. "After they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off" (Acts 13:3). This unselfish church gave some of its most gifted people to reach the lost.

Through it all, the church's main message was "the good news about the Lord Jesus" (Acts 11:20). It's no wonder these disciples were called Christians. Wherever you find a unified, mission-minded, grace-filled church marked by strong Bible teaching, godly leadership, and an unselfish attitude, it makes you think of Jesus.