Ancient Future
Acts 11:18-26
Chris Seidman
Part of Ancient Future
September 5, 2021

Ancient Future

Act 11:18-21
Ancient Future Series
Chris Seidman, Lead Minister, The Branch Church
September 5, 2021


Acts 11:26 (NIV)
The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.


Acts 1:8 (NIV)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”


Acts 8:1a (NIV)
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem … .


Acts 8:1, 4 (NIV)
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.


Acts 11:19-21 (NIV)
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.


Acts 11:20 (NIV)
… men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.


Acts 11:21 (NIV)
The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.


Acts 11:23 (NIV)
When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done … .


Acts 11:26 (NIV)
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.

A Couple Of Things Are Important …

  • They were noted as “Christians” because of their public profession of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 11:20 (NIV)
… telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.

  • They were noticed because of a clear demonstration of His Lordship.


Acts 13:1 (NIV)
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.

Let Me Break Down This List …

  • Barnabas was a Jew.

  • Simeon was Niger – that word means black – a black African.

  • Lucius of Cyrene – Cyrene was in North Africa – was probably what we would think of as Arabic.

  • Manaen was brought up with Herod – that’s how we know about him, but if he was, then he would be an upper-class dude.

  • Saul wasJewish, and also a rabbi – formally schooled, highly educated.

Communion

Barnabas “saw what the grace of God had done.”

  • What have you seen the grace of God do recently?

  • What does it mean for you to turn to Jesus right now?