Acts (10)

And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24.27

Be sure to view the video introducing our study of Acts 11 (Lesson 10) by clicking here.

Read and meditate on Acts 11.22-24.
Now we see why Peter’s report to the church in Jerusalem was so important. God was bursting the dam which had held the Gospel back within one ethnic community, and the Body of Christ needed to be ready for this powerful new movement of God’s Spirit.

For reflection
1.  Again we note that the first believers felt the necessity of reporting back to Jerusalem. The Church and the apostles needed to confirm this work of God. To whom is your church accountable for the ongoing work of Christ? What forms does that accountability take?

2.  So Barnabas was dispatched to have a look-see. I always find that phrase striking: “he came and had seen the grace of God…” What did he see? Based on what we’ve seen thus far in the book Acts, what evidence did Barnabas likely see to convince him that the ongoing work of Christ had broken out in Antioch as well?

3.  People hungry for the Word. People in prayer together, publicly and house to house. Folks sharing with one another of their material possessions and resources. New people coming to Lord. People talking about Jesus and “gossiping the Gospel” all over the city. The whole gamut of what he was familiar with in Jerusalem was on display here in Antioch as well! Is this what you see in your community, as the churches there pursue the ongoing work of Christ?

4.  God is consistent in how He makes Himself known. So Barnabas ladled on the good word of encouragement, doubtless affirming their work, enlarging their vision, and urging them on in the grace of the Lord Jesus. As a result, “a great many people were added to the Lord.” Note again the emphasis on Jesus: “added to the Lord”– not to “the church.” We call people to come to Jesus, not to our church. Why do you suppose we see so little evidence of this ongoing work of Christ in our communities?

5.  Luke’s writing style is impeccable. He prepares us for each new development, then sets us down into the midst of it, to experience it for ourselves. Luke is a historian, and the Gospel makes a difference in the way we view and experience history. He is helping us to put on a different outlook toward everyday events, so that we learn to see and seek the sovereignty of the Lord in all things. Does it matter whether we see history from the Lord’s point of view, with an eye to His agenda and purposes? Why or why not?

Summary
The presence of the Kingdom was visible in Antioch. The promise of it was becoming the possession of increasing numbers of people. And the power of the Kingdom was winning souls, transforming lives, and turning the world rightside-up for Jesus. Meditate on Matthew 11.12 and Luke 16.16. What will it take for us to begin realizing more of the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom in our day?

Closing Prayer
Those who trust in the LORD
Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the LORD surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
On the land allotted to the righteous,
Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity.
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,
And to those who are upright in their hearts.
As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways,
The LORD shall lead them away
With the workers of iniquity.
Peace be upon Israel!

Psalm 125

T. M. Moore

Each week’s studies in Acts are bound together into a free PDF that you can download for personal or group use (click here). Each week also features a video related to the studies of the week, which you may find helpful as you work through our studies in Acts.

Acts is the record of Christ’s ongoing work as King and Lord. This is the work of bringing the Kingdom of God to earth as it is in heaven. Read more about the implications of this work in our new book, The Kingdom Turn (click here).

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