On Sunday we were looking at what happened in Antioch as the Good News was spreading. The church there was begun by some believers who had moved from Cyprus and Phoenicia. It is safe to assume that these were business people, not clergy and not international workers officially delegated to go. These were missional thinking business people, who while making money, were very interested in making new disciples for Jesus. They were the first Jewish believers to take the initiative on their own and reach out to Gentiles with the Good News of Christ.
Philip had reached out to the Samaritans, who were considered "half Jewish" with their mixed roots. He had also been specifically commanded by an angel to go to the place where he met the Ethiopian government official. (Acts 8) Peter received a Divine vision and clear instructions to go with the men who came from the Roman soldier Cornelius. (Acts 10) He shared the Good News with the house full of Gentiles gathered by Cornelius.
But in Antioch it happened for the first time: Jewish believers on their own initiative began talking about Jesus to people who were "not like them". They had heard no Divine voice, seen no vision, encountered no angel. They simply obeyed the command of Jesus and were His witnesses to the world of Jews and Gentiles. One commentator wrote that in these few restrained sentences (Acts 11:19 - 21) Luke describes one of the most important turning points in all history. The Good News is "released" to be shared with everyone.
Of course this concerned the church leaders in Jerusalem. The church had grown rapidly in their city and was spreading quickly to other places. We can assume they were a little shaken by Philip going to Samaritans with the Good News. Then they got the shocking report from Peter that he had actually entered a Gentile house; shared the Good News and saw the Holy Spirit come upon that group of Gentiles as they believed. Now they get the surprising news from Antioch about a fast growing church made up of Jews and Gentiles.
It must have seemed that things were out of control. Of course they were! The Holy Spirit can't be controlled. He continues to break through human boundaries and upset our comfortable paradigms. Only God knows where He will "break out" next!
Philip had reached out to the Samaritans, who were considered "half Jewish" with their mixed roots. He had also been specifically commanded by an angel to go to the place where he met the Ethiopian government official. (Acts 8) Peter received a Divine vision and clear instructions to go with the men who came from the Roman soldier Cornelius. (Acts 10) He shared the Good News with the house full of Gentiles gathered by Cornelius.
But in Antioch it happened for the first time: Jewish believers on their own initiative began talking about Jesus to people who were "not like them". They had heard no Divine voice, seen no vision, encountered no angel. They simply obeyed the command of Jesus and were His witnesses to the world of Jews and Gentiles. One commentator wrote that in these few restrained sentences (Acts 11:19 - 21) Luke describes one of the most important turning points in all history. The Good News is "released" to be shared with everyone.
Of course this concerned the church leaders in Jerusalem. The church had grown rapidly in their city and was spreading quickly to other places. We can assume they were a little shaken by Philip going to Samaritans with the Good News. Then they got the shocking report from Peter that he had actually entered a Gentile house; shared the Good News and saw the Holy Spirit come upon that group of Gentiles as they believed. Now they get the surprising news from Antioch about a fast growing church made up of Jews and Gentiles.
It must have seemed that things were out of control. Of course they were! The Holy Spirit can't be controlled. He continues to break through human boundaries and upset our comfortable paradigms. Only God knows where He will "break out" next!
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