A STUDY GUIDE ACTS 11:19-30
1. A Study Guide
a) A study guide of Acts of the Apostles. It is intended to be expository — to explain and bring out the meaning of the original text. You may use this for your personal bible study or even group bible study.
2. Acts 11:19-30
a) The verses tell the establishment of a new church in Antioch Syria, and the involvement in this work of Paul and Barnabas.
#1) Acts 11:19-20
19 So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
i) Worldwide church planting. Following the killing of Stephen, persecution scattered the Jerusalem congregation (Acts 8:1-4). This did not kill the church. On the contrary, over several years churches were planted, and became established, in Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. The disciples, and their message, also began spreading to other places. Luke here records the spread north along the coastlands into Syria and its neighbouring island Cyprus. In a major advance, a church was established in Syrian Antioch, one of the world’s biggest cities. The preaching was still limited mainly to the Jewish community, but that was all now changing.
ii) Two Antiochs. Acts mentions two cities called Antioch, one in Syria and another in Pisidia.
#2) Acts 11:21-24
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. 23 Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; 24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.
i) The hand of the Lord. We see, in this passage (Acts 10:21-24), the synergy between the disciples and God. God is working, blessing, and empowering; but the disciples are engaging themselves with God. People were believing and turning to God, making a decision. Preachers were going out converting and encouraging. We observe not only God’s work with them, but the human agency, their purpose of heart in co-operating with God.
ii) Barnabas. We have already met Barnabas. He was the one who helped Saul to be accepted by the church in Jerusalem (Acts 9:22-28). Barnabas was not one of the 12 apostles nor one of the seven deacons. Nevertheless, he was an active, capable, and trusted worker in the church. You don't need title and position to be such.
#3) Acts 11:25-26
25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
i) Barnabas finds Saul. Saul had gone to his home town Tarsus, not too far from Antioch. Paul and Barnabas became devoted companions in evangelism, beginning with a year working together in the Antioch church.
ii) First called “Christians.” Up to this point, converts to Christ were referred to in terms such as as believers, saints, and disciples. The name “Christians” originated in the city of Antioch. It was a name, not a nickname, and Peter says that we "glorify God in that name" (1 Peter 4:16).
#4) Acts 11:27-30
27 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. 29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
i) Prophets came down. In the beginning of the church there were not only apostles, but also prophets. These were preachers who were moved to speak by the Holy Spirit, rather than preaching only what someone else had taught them. One of the abilities of a prophet of God is prediction. Agabas predicted a famine which later came to pass during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius circa AD 41-54. If a prophet predicts something, and it doesn't happen, he or she is a false prophet (Deuteronomy 18:21-22).
ii) Sending of gifts. Knowing that a famine would hit Jerusalem hard, the Christians in Antioch made a plan to send aid. This gift was delivered by Barnabas and Saul. It reflected the fellowship which the disciples in Jerusalem themselves practiced (Acts 2:44-45). Antioch took this fellowship to a new level —one church helping another church. This was an ongoing work. Other churches participated, and Paul picked up and delivered some of their gifts in his missionary journeys (e.g. 1 Corinthians 16:1-4).
iii) To the elders. This is Luke’s first mention of elders in the church. So far in our study of Acts we have seen apostles, prophets, deacons, and evangelists at work in the church. Elders also had an important place in a congregation’s polity. Peter exhorts the elders in the churches to "shepherd the flock of God among you" (1 Peter 5:1-4). Paul did the same: "Shepherd the church of God which he purchased with his own blood" (Acts 20:28).
iv) The church needs trustworthy people. Agabus was trustworthy: his prophecy came true. The Christians at Antioch were trustworthy: they made good their promise to give aid. Barnabas and Saul were trustworthy: they delivered the money. The elders in Jerusalem were trustworthy: they administered and distributed the funds. The church members in Jerusalem were trustworthy: they didn't misrepresent their need or take more than their due. Without trustworthiness, the church cannot function.
a) A study guide of Acts of the Apostles. It is intended to be expository — to explain and bring out the meaning of the original text. You may use this for your personal bible study or even group bible study.
2. Acts 11:19-30
a) The verses tell the establishment of a new church in Antioch Syria, and the involvement in this work of Paul and Barnabas.
#1) Acts 11:19-20
19 So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
i) Worldwide church planting. Following the killing of Stephen, persecution scattered the Jerusalem congregation (Acts 8:1-4). This did not kill the church. On the contrary, over several years churches were planted, and became established, in Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. The disciples, and their message, also began spreading to other places. Luke here records the spread north along the coastlands into Syria and its neighbouring island Cyprus. In a major advance, a church was established in Syrian Antioch, one of the world’s biggest cities. The preaching was still limited mainly to the Jewish community, but that was all now changing.
ii) Two Antiochs. Acts mentions two cities called Antioch, one in Syria and another in Pisidia.#2) Acts 11:21-24
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. 23 Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; 24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.
i) The hand of the Lord. We see, in this passage (Acts 10:21-24), the synergy between the disciples and God. God is working, blessing, and empowering; but the disciples are engaging themselves with God. People were believing and turning to God, making a decision. Preachers were going out converting and encouraging. We observe not only God’s work with them, but the human agency, their purpose of heart in co-operating with God.
ii) Barnabas. We have already met Barnabas. He was the one who helped Saul to be accepted by the church in Jerusalem (Acts 9:22-28). Barnabas was not one of the 12 apostles nor one of the seven deacons. Nevertheless, he was an active, capable, and trusted worker in the church. You don't need title and position to be such.
#3) Acts 11:25-26
25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
i) Barnabas finds Saul. Saul had gone to his home town Tarsus, not too far from Antioch. Paul and Barnabas became devoted companions in evangelism, beginning with a year working together in the Antioch church.
ii) First called “Christians.” Up to this point, converts to Christ were referred to in terms such as as believers, saints, and disciples. The name “Christians” originated in the city of Antioch. It was a name, not a nickname, and Peter says that we "glorify God in that name" (1 Peter 4:16).
#4) Acts 11:27-30
27 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. 29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
i) Prophets came down. In the beginning of the church there were not only apostles, but also prophets. These were preachers who were moved to speak by the Holy Spirit, rather than preaching only what someone else had taught them. One of the abilities of a prophet of God is prediction. Agabas predicted a famine which later came to pass during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius circa AD 41-54. If a prophet predicts something, and it doesn't happen, he or she is a false prophet (Deuteronomy 18:21-22).
ii) Sending of gifts. Knowing that a famine would hit Jerusalem hard, the Christians in Antioch made a plan to send aid. This gift was delivered by Barnabas and Saul. It reflected the fellowship which the disciples in Jerusalem themselves practiced (Acts 2:44-45). Antioch took this fellowship to a new level —one church helping another church. This was an ongoing work. Other churches participated, and Paul picked up and delivered some of their gifts in his missionary journeys (e.g. 1 Corinthians 16:1-4).
iii) To the elders. This is Luke’s first mention of elders in the church. So far in our study of Acts we have seen apostles, prophets, deacons, and evangelists at work in the church. Elders also had an important place in a congregation’s polity. Peter exhorts the elders in the churches to "shepherd the flock of God among you" (1 Peter 5:1-4). Paul did the same: "Shepherd the church of God which he purchased with his own blood" (Acts 20:28).
iv) The church needs trustworthy people. Agabus was trustworthy: his prophecy came true. The Christians at Antioch were trustworthy: they made good their promise to give aid. Barnabas and Saul were trustworthy: they delivered the money. The elders in Jerusalem were trustworthy: they administered and distributed the funds. The church members in Jerusalem were trustworthy: they didn't misrepresent their need or take more than their due. Without trustworthiness, the church cannot function.
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