ACTS LESSON 24

    We will begin this lesson in Acts 11:19 "Now they which were
scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen
travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the
word to none but unto the Jews only."

    It appears that this area they were scattered to, were mostly
Gentile people, but these apostles preached to the Jews in this area
only. When Stephen was stoned to death, the apostles and other
disciples scattered and went to these various areas.

    Acts 11:20 "And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which,
when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the
Lord Jesus."

    This Phenice (Phoenix) was a haven of Crete.  It is easy access by
water.  Cyprus is a large island in the Mediterranean off the coast of
Syria.  You can see that fear had driven these disciples to a far away
place.  This Cyprus was the native home of Barnabas.  This area was
Paul's first missionary field. Antioch was the place Jesus' followers
were first called Christians.  This area, I guess you could say, was
the cradle of the first Christian missionary ministry.

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

    All of the eloquent preaching in the world will not bring one
sinner to salvation, if God is not the author of the sermon.  What
makes a sermon cause people to be saved is the power of the Holy
Spirit in the message.  The Holy Spirit woos the person and prepares
his heart to receive before the message even begins. In I Corinthians
1:21 we read, "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom
knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save
them that believe."  You see, what is foolish to man is wise to God.

    Acts 11:22 "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."

    The good news of how people were readily accepting the Lord spread
fast and was soon all the way back to Jerusalem.  Barnabas, as we had
said before, was from this area and he would know the people.  He was
sent, because he knew all the ins and outs of this area and the
people.

    Acts 11:23 "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."

    Barnabas was glad that the people of his home area had received
the Lord.  It appears that he preached (exhorted).  He warns them to
walk in their salvation and not fall back into the ways of the world.
This leaves no doubt that Barnabas has been added to the preachers of
the Word.  Since he is familiar with these people, he will be able to
minister in the area of their needs better, because he knows their
needs.

    Acts 11:24 "For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and
of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord."

    This means that Barnabas was a man seeking to do God's will.  He
was in right standing with God.  There was the power of the Holy Ghost
in his ministry. People who knew him would listen to him, because they
had great respect for him.  These people were added unto the Lord,
because Barnabas preached to them and they listened and received the
Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

    Acts 11:25 "Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:"

    We will find that Saul (Paul) and Barnabas will minister together
in many cities.  Barnabas has already led many to Christ at home, now
he goes out as a missionary.  Tarsus is the capital of Cilicia and the
birthplace of Saul.

    Acts 11:26 "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."

    It seems that the power of the Holy Ghost operating through Saul
and Barnabas caused the church to grow mightily for a whole year in
Antioch.  A Christian is a follower of and a believer in Jesus Christ,
so it would be correct to call them Christians (Christ like).  It
seemed Christianity could grow freely here and the disciples came here
after Stephen was martyred.  The most resistance to Christianity
seemed to be in Jerusalem.

    Acts 11:27 "And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto
Antioch."

    Prophet here means someone who foretells the future under the
anointing of the Spirit of God.

    Acts 11:28 "And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and
signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout
all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar."

    This Agabus was believed to be one of the 90 disciples of Christ.
His prediction came true in just one year from his prophecy.  The
world meant here was probably the land of Judaea. Dearth means
scarcity of food, famine, hunger.  Claudius Caesar was the Roman
emperor in Power when this famine came.  Famines are many times, a way
of getting people on their knees seeking God.

    Acts 11:29 "Then the disciples, every man according to his
ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in
Judaea:"
    We see here, Christians in Antioch sending help to their Christian
brethren in Judaea.  This is the first time recorded that this type of
charitable acts were done by Christians.  We see by this that, they
had begun to believe that all Christians are sisters and brothers in
Christ.  We are a family and this is the first time these Christians
seemed to be aware of this.

    Acts 11:30 "Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the
hands of Barnabas and Saul."

    This practice of sending ministers to carry out our missions of
good will was started here when Saul and Barnabas were entrusted with
the funds to help those in need in Judaea.  Saul and Barnabas were the
first example of co-pastoring a church, also.  Jesus had sent them out
2 by 2 to minister, but Saul and Barnabas actually pastored together.

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                           Acts 24 Questions


1.  Where did the disciples go after Stephen was stoned to death?
2.  Who did they preach to?
3.  Who were most of the population here?
4.  What did they preach?
5.  What was another name for Phenice?
6.  Where is Cyprus located?
7.  Who was Cyprus home to?
8.  In verse 21, "And the ___________________________ was with them:
    and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord."
9.  Who must be the author of a sermon to win people to Christ?
10. Quote I Corinthians 1:21.
11. Who sent Barnabas to Antioch?
12. What does exhorted mean?
13. What did Barnabas warn them not to do?
14. How was Barnabas described?
15. What two things was he full of?
16. Where did Barnabas go when he left?
17. Who did he go to meet?
18. What is the capital of Cilicia?
19. When Barnabas found him, where did they go?
20. How long did they stay here and preach?
21. Where were the disciples first called Christians?
22. What is a Christian?
23. Where was the most resistance to Christianity?
24. Where did the prophets come from to Antioch?
25. What does prophet mean in verse 27?
26. What was the name of the prophet who predicted famine in Judaea?
27. What does dearth mean?
28. Who was the Roman emperor in power when the dearth came?
29. Verse 29 is the first example of what?
30. Who took the offering to Judea?

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