The Christian Church Series

Acts 11:19 - 30 The Christian Church

1. The Growth

Her Expulsion - 19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch,

Her Expression - preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

Her Expansion - 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.

Her Explosion - 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them:

and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

2. The Grace In -

The Commission - 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.

The Celebration - 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad,

The Communication - 23 and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

The Consolation - 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith:

The Cultivation - and much people was added unto the Lord.

The Coordination - 25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

The Plot - Then departed Barnabas,

The Place - to Tarsus,

The Plan - for to seek,

The Ploy - for to seek Saul:

3. The Graft

The Challenge - 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch.

The Church -

And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church,

The Charge - and taught much people.

4. The Group - And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

– They had been called disciples (Acts 1:15).

– They had been called saints (Acts 9:13).

– They had been called believers (Acts 5:14).

– They had been called brothers (Acts 6:3).

– They had been called witnesses (Acts 5:32).

– They had been called followers of the Way (Acts 9:2).

– They would be called Nazarenes (Acts 24:5).

– Now they would be called Christians.

In Latin, the ending ian meant “the party of.”

A Christ-ian was “of the party of Jesus.”

A soldier under Caesar would call himself a Caesarian.

Soldiers under Jesus Christ could be called Christians.

A Nickname that stuck - the disciples were called Christians.

(They didn't call themselves Christians)

5. The Gratitude

The Regulation - 27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

The Revelation - 28 and there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. (AD 45)

The Resolution - 29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

The Recognition - 30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

In Recognition of -Their Deliverance, Their Difference, Their Duty, and Their Debt.