10/24/04

Chap.11, verse 19- picks up the narrative from back in 8:1 and 9:31.

Phenice—more likely Phoenicia – a portion of land along the extreme

Eastern Medit. coast between Carmel and Tripoli including Tyre and Sidon. Cyprus- an island on the eastern end of the Medit.

Antioch- the city in Syria, north of Damascus.  It was the most prominent city during the Roman period, third in size(about ½ million) only to Rome and Alexandria, Egypt.  It had a large commercial trade due to its location between sea and desert as well as a reputation for immorality due to the cult of the goddess, Artimis (Diana) nearby.  Olympic games were held there during Augustus’ days.

   “preaching the word…. to Jews only”- these believers are not aware of the events just described in ch.10-11 in the outreach to the Gentiles.  Antioch had a considerable sized Jewish population.

Chap.11, verse 20-21- Cyprus- an island off coast of Palestine in the eastern Mediterranean.  Cyrene- a city on north coast of Africa near Libya.  In Antioch, these believers (see 13:1) attempted evangelism of Grecians or Hellenists [NIV, NASV and RSV translations have ‘Greeks’ due to priority of mss.Aleph, A and D—oddly enough Vaticanus (B) agrees with Majority text but is disregarded by these translations]—recall that Grecians are Greek speaking/cultured Jews of the dispersion.

   “the hand of the Lord”- generally a term found in the OT- see

Luke 1:66.  “believed”-aorist participle—precedes action of the

verb- turned to the Lord- see 14:15; 15:3, 19; I Thess.1:9.

With this number of converts in  Antioch, far from Jerusalem, it is necessary to act to assist these new believers.

Chap.11, verse 22-24-“ears of the church at Jerusalem”-

The leadership, now aware of these converts, desire to provide leadership.  Their choice is excellent—Barnabas, himself a man from Cyprus.  He witnesses what Luke calls “the grace of God”—no doubt the life change evident in these converts.  Barnabas is glad and

exhorted=parakalei- to give comfort/strength—use of imperfect tense to show continued action.  Cleave=prosmenein – infinitive of meno.

In John 15:4 it is translated “abide”.

  Barnabas is called a good (agathos) man- meaning he was a man

good in character and beneficial in effect on others.  “full of the Holy Spirit and faith”- characterizes Barnabas’ powerful walk with the Lord.

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Chap.11, verse 25-26- Barnabas is likely seeking Saul in order to have assistance in the ministry there in Antioch.  It appears that Saul had continued evangelism in the area around Cilicia- Gal. 1:21-24.

Perhaps Barnabas recalls 9:15 that Saul would be a witness to the Gentiles.  Finding Saul in Tarsus, he brings him back to Antioch.

   There they assembled with the believers for a year teaching them.

Note “the church” would be the congregation of believers; what had been only at Jerusalem is now viewed as at Antioch.  The word is not used of a building, but of people gathering together.

   “taught”=didaxai- an infinitive of didasko—to instruct.  It is usually thought of as systematic instruction.

   “called Christians first at Antioch”- the term may be been derisive.  In a good sense, it may indicate an awareness that to follow Jesus is to go beyond traditional Judaism.  Sadly, it has become a cultural term rather than to specifically identify someone as  a believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.  However, here in Antioch  it denoted someone who accepted the God of Israel as revealed in His Son, Jesus, the Christ.

    An often used question is that if you were to go to court where you were charged with being a “Christian”—is there enough evidence to convict you of that charge?  How much like Christ are we?