#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.

 

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