GOD WILL MAKE A WAY (ACTS 11:19-26)
This year’s Putonghua revival meetings gave me a sharper focus in ministry. On the opening day (March 4, 2019), the speaker (Kiven Choy) gave a touching message on suffering and sacrifice. The previous week before the revival meetings, I had quickly turned down an invitation to interview for more leadership. The sermon told about how missionaries like Hudson Taylor traveled six months by ship just to reach China, how scrawny John Sung was mistaken for a homeless man by the church he was invited to speak at, how Baptist missionary Lottie Moon died a 80-pound weakling on a ship in Japan on the way to America to regain her health, and how early Korean pastors were rejected by like pariahs by their fellow countrymen. Halfway through the sermon I had completely repented and rededicated my life to God.
After the two morning sessions, I had lunch with the Revival Meetings’ organizing committee, Rev. So and the morning sessions speakers Rev. Choy of Hong Kong and Rev. Huang from Singapore. I was seated to the left of Rev. Choy, who was seated to the left of Rev. So. At lunch my first remark to Rev. Choy was, “I’m glad you didn’t come last week to speak, or I’m going to be very busy in the future.” Rev. Choy had no clue what I was talking about, but Rev. So, seizing the moment, said, “The door is still open.” I replied, “No thanks, I’m sure God has a way to open the door for me if I’m needed.” The Singapore pastor Rev Huang chimed in and said, “If you preach this message in Singapore, the hearers will ask, “What suffering?”
The early church was a dynamic, developing and dauntless community. Three thousand people accepted Christ and were baptized on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41). Shortly after, Peter and John were imprisoned, but 5,000 men were added to the church (Acts 4:4). Before too long, the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7).
What defines the church? Why is the church of God more afraid of riches than repression, comfort than challenges, and luxury than lacking? How did persecution affect the church?
Explore Your Options (External Forces at Work)
19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. (Acts 11:19-21)
Open Doors, a ministry to believers in persecuted countries, wrote a four-part Bible study series on persecution and asked these three hard-hitting questions in its opening statement:
Would you go to church if you knew it could be attacked mid-service?
Would you own a Bible if being caught with it could send you to prison?
Would you be ready to give your life up for your faith?
https://www.opendoors.org.au/assets/08-Resources/06-Misc-Resources/ODY-BibleStudySeries.pdf
The verb “scattered abroad” (v 19) or diaspeiro, the verbal form for the noun “diaspora,” made its debut in Acts, fittingly, with Stephen’s death (Acts 8:1) and Saul’s consent. Persecution (v 19) is translated as tribulation (Matt 13:21), afflicted (Matt 24:9), anguish (John 16:21) and trouble (1 Cor 7:28). It is used in three situations in Acts – Israel’s affliction in Egypt (Acts 7:10-11), the Jerusalem church’s persecution in verse 19, and Paul’s future persecutions (Acts 20:23).
Stephen’s death resulted in the spread of the church and not the silence of the church, her growth and not her grave, and her dispersion and not demise. The church grew in leaps and bounds, multiplied, crossed the boundary of land, race and gender. Stephen's martyrdom moved the gospel into Samaria (Acts 8:1) and then spread to Gentile lands, such as the slightly north Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch (v 19). Phenice is local Gentile territory near Syria, Cyprus is an island, and Antioch is extreme north in foreign, some say 280 miles from Jerusalem and the third greatest city in the Roman empire besides Rome and Alexandria. Phoenicia residents are Canaanites while Antioch residents are Arameans, Phoenicia is the northern coast, Antioch is the great Syrian city and Cyrus is the island.
Persecution is a scary word, but it never slowed the church down. The greatest revivals broke out in history in the midst of persecution, whether in Korea, China or east Europe. What are we supposed preach? Preach the kingdom of God (Luke 4:43), the glad tidings (Luke 8:1), the gospel (Luke 9:6), Jesus Christ (Acts 5:42) and peace by Jesus Christ (Acts 10:36).
Gospel only thing to break racial, spiritual, cultural, economic and social barriers and divisions. It was brilliant that the men of Cyprus island were the people who broke the barrier. The Jews from Jerusalem preached to the Jews in Cyprus, but the Jew from Cyprus preached to the Greeks in Antioch. It is easier to build bridges than barriers. It removed barriers, reduced bickering and requires breakthrough.
Examine Your Faith (Internal Forces at Work)
22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. (Acts 11:22-24)
One of most renowned missionary in China was Canadian Jonathan Goforth (Chinese: ????, February 10, 1859 – October 8, 1936), who was the first Canadian Presbyterian missionary to China. Goforth and his wife, Rosalind (Bell-Smith) worked in Hunan, Shandong and Manchuria from 1888 to 1935, a long 47 years. They had eleven children, five of which died as babies or very young children.
Rosalind Goforth explains the “missionary equipment” in the mission fields:
‘A life yielded to God and controlled by His Spirit;
A restful trust in God for the supply of all needs;
A sympathetic spirit, and a willingness to take a lowly place;
Tact in dealing with men, and an adaptability toward circumstances;
Zeal in service and steadfastness in discouragement;
Love for communion with God and for the study of His Word;
Some blessing in the Lord's work at home, a healthy body and a vigorous mind.”
Why did they send Barnabas? Do you know where Barnabas originally come from? The country of Cyprus (Acts 4:36), so sending him to the church in Antioch was a natural since his country folks helped set up the church in Antioch. The first generation of leaders in Antioch were possibly led to the Lord by Cyprus Jews, people just like Barnabas. There were supposedly more Jews in Antioch than in nay city outside of Judaea.
Barnabas was an encourager first of all. His real name was Joses, and his surnamed coined no less by the apostles as the sons of encouragement, but his name means son of prophecy, because prophesy", includes both exhortation and comfort (John Gill). Barnabas was a man of passion, purpose and perseverance.
Most readers might be surprised to know that Barnabas has a joyous heart (v 23). This was a man who gave out of a cheerful heart. In the midst of persecution he was never a man of doom, dejection and disillusionment. Instead he was positive, passionate and perky.
Cleave (v 23, prosmeno) is translated as continue (Matt 15:32), cleave (Acts 11:23), tarry (Acts 18:18) and abide still (1 Tim 1:3). In his missionary journey Barnabas steadfastly persuaded new believers to continue/cleave in the grace of God (Acts 13:43). Very direct, determined. dauntless, decisive and deliberate (infinitive). This message is needed in an ignorant and indifferent and ineffectual, uninformed and untrained.
Three things characterized Barnabas. There are only two persons described exactly as “good man” (aner agathos) in the Bible, Barnabas and Joseph of Arimathea. Joseph was a member of the council who did a politically incorrect thing. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud, and laid him in an unused rock-hewn tomb (Luke 23:52-54).
Relationship with a good person. is like sugarcane.... Break it, Crush it, Squeeze it or. even beat or grind it,. still you will get only sweetness.
To be a good person is not easy. It needs a lot of goodness.
Expecting a trouble-free life because you are a good person is like expecting the bull not to charge you because you are a vegetarian. Jeffrey R. Holland
Being a good person does not depend on your religion, status in life, race, skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how you treat others.
A good person is like a lighthouse. It does not ring bells nor fire guns to call attention. It simple shines.
Be a good person but don’t waste time to prove it.
Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can. John Wesley
Second, he was a man full of the Holy Ghost and of faith. There are only three people in the Bible described as “full of the holy Spirit” – Jesus (Luke 4:1), Stephen (Acts 7:55) and Barnabas (v 24). Not only that, Stephen was the only one with the qualified as “full of faith” (Acts 6:5, 8). Stephen, like Barnabas, is a man consecration, character, courage, Christ-like and care. Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith)
Unity of the Spirit (Eph 4:3, Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.)
Led by the Spirit/ Live by the Spirit Gal 5:16, 25
Learning from the Spirit (John 15:26, 16:13 Spirit of truth – He indwells us, intercedes and instructs)
Fruit of the Spirit Unity of the Spirit Led by the Spirit Learning in the Spirit
Spirit of truth
Administers gifts
Bestow power
C
Search all things
Prays Points to Jesus
Intercedes for us
Restrains evil
Indwells believers
Tell teach the truth
Expand Your Ministry (Fraternal Forces at Work)
25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:25-26)
One of the most unlikely mentor-mentee relationships was that of the gentlemanly former manager of the English national team Bobby Robson and the young Jose Mourinho, who later became a household manager after winning the Champions League eight years later with Porto. When 55-year-old Robson was appointed the manager of Barcelona FC in 1996 after the legendary Johann Cruyff was dismissed, he brought with him his assistant at his previous club, the 33-year old Mourinho, as a translator because Mourinho was not offered the job of his assistant.
Why did Robson bring Mourinho along? What did the inexperienced Mourinho offer? Jose Mourinho would not back down from fiery rival coaches who intimidated his boss. Robson couldn’t read or understand Castilian or Catalan, but Mourinho perfected his Spanish. Barça wanted Robson, but not necessarily the unknown Mourinho, but Robson was loyal to Mourinho, although there was uncertainty about Mourinho’s role.
The stubborn Mourinho would add his own opinions at conferences rather than translate Robson’s words, but protected his boss as well with rival coaches and sharp journalists. What made the partnership work? Robson said, “Jose was to prove a marvelous asset, covering my back and looking after me while building up a good rapport with the players of the three clubs we have been at together. Whenever I needed his support he was there, even though it often meant putting himself in the firing line.” Mourinho admitted, “I owe him for so much. I was a nobody in football when he came to Portugal. He helped me to work at two clubs and he took me to one of the biggest clubs in the world [Barcelona]. We are very different, but I got from him the idea of what it is to be a top coach.”
The verb seek (anazeteo) occurs three times in the Bible only in contrast to the regular word for seek (zeteo) that occurs 117 times in the Bible. The other two times the same verb “anazeteo” appears point to the same event of Jesus’ parents looking for him in Jerusalem:
“But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.” (Luke 2:44)
“And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.” (v 43)
The preposition “ana-zeteo” is from the words “ana-Baptist” and “analyze,” which means ongoing, once more, over and over.
Barnabas was a minister, missionary and mentor. His threefold ministry was to encourage (Acts 4:36), to educate (Acts 13:1) and to empower. His biggest contribution was to be the frontrunner, the sidekick and the open the door for Paul, just as John the Baptist was for Jesus, Robin was for Batman, the supporting actor to the leading actor.
Barnabas was the pioneer missionary of missionaries (Acts 13:2). He was the only person sent by the church in Jerusalem to build the church in Antioch, which is about 300 miles north of Jerusalem. It would take some fifteen days of actual walking if travelers were to complete an averaged 20 miles a day.
Saul and Barnabas were the first missionary team in the Bible. The last we heard of Saul and Barnabas in ministry was that Paul attempted to join himself to the disciples in Jerusalem,: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. Barnabas more than took him, but seized (epilambanomai) him and led (ago) him to the apostles (Acts 9:27). The result was that Saul went in and out among them in Jerusalem before he disappeared to Tarsus (Acts 9:28-30). There was a lot of controversy and disagreement to what happened next. Some said he disappeared ten years, some said eight to ten years (Xenos.org) and some said 14 years (cs.mcgill.ca).
The church in Antioch was a dynamic church growing in leaps and bounds, where a large number of believers turned to the Lord. More help was needed, so Barnabas thought of one person who could do the job and lead the group, maybe take over leadership. Paul was devoted, disciplined, dauntless, distinguished, demonstrative, deep, diligent, dynamic, divisive and dogmatic. Few knew what to do with his talents, temperament and tenacity. The verb “brought” (v 26) is a beautiful verb that characterized Paul and Barnabas twice. Barnabas took a converted Saul him, and “brought” (Acts 9:27) him to the apostles in Jerusalem and later “brought” (Acts 11:26) him to Antioch. They spent one year together (v 26), served the church there and shared their lives together.
Conclusion: Are you sleeping, slacking or stagnating? If persecution comes, would you stay in hiding, leave if possible, or return when safe? Have you prepared yourself to be a good soldier of Christ, a harvester in the field and an unashamed workman? Would you proclaim Jesus wherever you are with the opportunities you have, as a businessman, student, tourist or immigrant. Have you enlisted yourself in service, training and leadership before the day or the hour no one knows? Have you made ready fellow believers, coworkers and church leaders for the task ahead? Let us be the watchman, the witness and the worker God made us to be!
