#BibleStudy. Expressions of Faith. Acts Ch 11. They were called Christians

²⁴ He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

²⁵ Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶ and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

 Acts 11:24-26 

• Verse 19 records that some of those present in Jerusalem at Pentecost went to Antioch and preached to the Greeks.
• Lots of Greeks, and probably others, were converted.
• The church in Jerusalem heard about this and sent Barnabas to Antioch.

Why Barnabas?

• Acts 4:36 describes 
• “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”)”
• Who better to send than a Cypriot known for his encouragement?

Barnabas

• Encourages those in Antioch.
• Goes to Tarsus, finds Saul, and brings him to Antioch.
• Barnabas and Saul teach in Antioch for a year.

Verse 26c seems like an afterthought.

“The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”

Some commentaries indicate that Christian was often an insult used by first-century Jews.

• I doubt those supposedly slurred by the term felt insulted. 
• Early converts considered persecution to be a sign of their faith.
• As Christianity spread, the term came to mean a follower of Christ.
• The teaching of Barnabas and Saul had a lot to do with the coining of the term.

What was it about believers in Antioch that caused the people there to call them Christians?

• When was the last time someone described you as Christian?

If it's been a while, ask God to show you the opportunities He has for you to be Christian.

 

SEO: Bible study, New Testament, thinking, knowing God

 

Follow me on 

Twitter(Mininimally): @CRDowningAuthor

Facebook (Not much more than minimally): https://www.facebook.com/CRDowningAuthor

 

My website is: www.crdowning.com

Email: crd.author@gmail.com

 

My Blogs

Life as I see it. Topics rotate between those of general interest to lovers of life,  authors, teachers—probably you, too. Occasional posts on Mondays or Tuesdays. http://crdowning-author.blogspot.com/?alt=rss

 

My Christian Context. Posts Monday/Wednesday of discussion questions. Thursdays - Timeless Truths. Fridays - Expressions of Faith. https://mychristiancontext.blogspot.com/  

 

I appreciate your feedback on Blogger!