“So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord…..And when he (Barnabas) had found (Saul), he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Acts 11: 19-21, 26
The blood of Stephen watered the “garden” where the future “cradle of Christianity” would be born in Antioch. The Greek word “ Antioch” is aptly translated “Resistant”, which is prophetic, as it turns out. The nascent church would take her first steps, coached by Barnabas and Saul. For the first time the disciples themselves did the evangelism, under the watchful eyes of their coaches, facilitated by the Holy Spirit. Initially they reached out only to Jews, but it wasn’t long before they were preaching to Greeks also that Jesus is Lord.
The amazing thing about those who followed “the Way” was their testimony to those around them. Their world had never seen such ethnic diversity; Jew and Gentile, united for one purpose. Koinonia they called it; the close association between persons, emphasizing what is common between them.
A letter of Mathetes to Diognetus (two Gentiles— one a disciple of the Apostles, the other, an inquiring pagan) describes the first-century church:
For the Christians are distinguished from other men neither by country nor language, nor the customs which they observe…….they display to us their wonderful and confessedly striking method of life. They dwell in their own countries, but simply as sojourners. As citizens, they share in all things with others, and yet endure all things as if foreigners. Every foreign land is to them as their native country, and every land of their birth as a land of strangers. They marry, as do all; they beget children, but they do not destroy their offspring….They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh. They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven…..
It is no wonder that the disciples were first called “Christians” at Antioch. They didn’t give themselves this name. They were different. The unbelieving world labeled them “Christian” as a mocking insult. These people belonged to a strange, new tribe who followed an unrecognized “king”.
These early believers recognized they were being mocked, but readily embraced the new label as a badge of honor. “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death….” Phil.3: 10
They remembered the words of Jesus:
“You are the light of the world….Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matt.5: 14-16
Word in “the ether” was that Herod had randomly rounded up and carted off to his dungeon some believers in Jerusalem, including James, the apostle. Like a calm before a storm, they took comfort in the Lord’s Word: “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.” (Psalm 127:1) A storm surely was coming to the church. It was His church! Their confidence was in Him “who is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.”
(Psalm 36:9) Fiat Lux!
Questions To Think About
The blood of Stephen watered the “garden” where the future “cradle of Christianity” would be born in Antioch. The Greek word “ Antioch” is aptly translated “Resistant”, which is prophetic, as it turns out. The nascent church would take her first steps, coached by Barnabas and Saul. For the first time the disciples themselves did the evangelism, under the watchful eyes of their coaches, facilitated by the Holy Spirit. Initially they reached out only to Jews, but it wasn’t long before they were preaching to Greeks also that Jesus is Lord.
The amazing thing about those who followed “the Way” was their testimony to those around them. Their world had never seen such ethnic diversity; Jew and Gentile, united for one purpose. Koinonia they called it; the close association between persons, emphasizing what is common between them.
A letter of Mathetes to Diognetus (two Gentiles— one a disciple of the Apostles, the other, an inquiring pagan) describes the first-century church:
For the Christians are distinguished from other men neither by country nor language, nor the customs which they observe…….they display to us their wonderful and confessedly striking method of life. They dwell in their own countries, but simply as sojourners. As citizens, they share in all things with others, and yet endure all things as if foreigners. Every foreign land is to them as their native country, and every land of their birth as a land of strangers. They marry, as do all; they beget children, but they do not destroy their offspring….They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh. They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven…..
It is no wonder that the disciples were first called “Christians” at Antioch. They didn’t give themselves this name. They were different. The unbelieving world labeled them “Christian” as a mocking insult. These people belonged to a strange, new tribe who followed an unrecognized “king”.
These early believers recognized they were being mocked, but readily embraced the new label as a badge of honor. “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death….” Phil.3: 10
They remembered the words of Jesus:
“You are the light of the world….Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matt.5: 14-16
Word in “the ether” was that Herod had randomly rounded up and carted off to his dungeon some believers in Jerusalem, including James, the apostle. Like a calm before a storm, they took comfort in the Lord’s Word: “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.” (Psalm 127:1) A storm surely was coming to the church. It was His church! Their confidence was in Him “who is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.”
(Psalm 36:9) Fiat Lux!
Questions To Think About
- The tragedy of Stephen’s death watered the “garden” where the Antioch church was born. When has a difficult, painful, or confusing season in your life unexpectedly produced new growth and spiritual “light”?
- The word “Antioch” means “resistant”, yet it became a launchpad for the Gospel. What is currently the biggest point of spiritual resistance, fear, or hesitation in your life, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to move there?
- The name “Christian” was originally given by the world as a mocking insult, yet believers wore it as a badge of honor. Does your daily lifestyle differ enough from the surrounding culture that someone might label you as “different”?
- Barnabas and Saul acted as mentors, guiding and teaching the church for a whole year. Who are the spiritual mentors or coaches in your life helping you grow? Conversely, is there someone younger in the faith you could be mentoring right now?
- The letter to Diognetus notes that early Christians lived in their native lands “simply as sojourners” and “citizens of heaven”. In what practical ways can you detach your heart from earthly comforts, political divides, or material security to live more fully as a citizen of heaven?
Posted in Fiat Lux (Let There Be Light)