Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. (vs19-23)
The church got diligently involved, when she saw the converts. We read, “Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch”. They did what they could. They didn't merely pray, though praying is great, but having ability, they sent them preachers and teachers, so they could learn. Scripture says, “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues” (1 Cor 12:27-28).
This is wise for us to see: the Church's job isn't to support unbelievers, build schools, hospitals, or the like. Our job is to do what no one else can do, which is teach the Son's message. He said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:16). A church, like every group of converts, needs instruction in how to obey God and what it means to be saved. Caring is getting people connected with Christ BY the word. Nothing is more important than teaching, so let us support missionaries, let us send people, and let us go ourselves, as we are called. Let us assist other churches with what we can give, and let us know that preachers are far more important than anything else that we could give Christians or people. Pastors are not a special class, but they have a special gift for the building up of the body (Eph 4:7-16).
Secondly, cleave unto the Lord Jesus Christ, follow Him, and do all that He commands, relying upon Him for strength. We read, “When Barnabas came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord” (vs23). Many start the race, but never finish. “Therefore, hear the parable of the sower” (Matt 13:18-23). They think Christianity ends at the beginning, as if forgiveness is the whole of Christ's gospel, as if obedience isn't really a command, but an option. But, this is Satan's delusion. The shallow ground hearer quits after initial joy, and the thorny ground hearer stays in the assembly for a while, but his heart is in love with the world - what he can see and feel - and he squanders eternal life. We read, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). Children of God, the real ones, stick it out with Christ by the full purpose of heart. They scheme because they need Him, calling upon Him for strength, obtaining FRESH mercy to do God's will. Jacob said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” He not only prayed at the beginning of his race, but he'd lean upon his staff, worshiping God, even in old age.
Do not think that Christianity is a decision you made a while ago; it is the hot pursuit of Christ, abiding in His word, doing as He says, living by faith miraculously.
Finally, the Lord adds by grace, and He adds by us doing what is right. We read, “For Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord” (vs24). As we obey Him, doing His will, loving and teaching others by faith, because we believe this is His will for us, then He adds to the church daily. There is one church; it goes by many names, but we preach the one message of Christ, and honoring Him is how other churches are formed, members of the one body of Christ. We are not to say, “Grace” as an excuse to sin. We are not to say, “election”, as an excuse not to preach and teach, sending missionaries. We are NEVER to use one portion of scripture to block the light of another, but as we practice and preach, as we TRUST grace to obey, we see God's fruit in us.
Eric Hollingsworth preached a message on forgiveness that you can here http://www.sasolo.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=111211410529 , and it was great to go before the people and know, in measure, that I'd put it into practice and enjoy its fruit. The Spirit makes you forgive, so obeying Christ in His power leads to pleasure, for the “fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness”, etc (Gal 5:22). We read, “Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch”.
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