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Category: Acts for a 21st c. Church

Acts of the Apostles + a History of Christ’s Church

Acts of the Apostles 1-28

Acts of the Apostles:
+ The first century Church SHARED Christ while suffering severe persecution.
+ Luke records a historic account of the Church which gives 21c Christians a context to SHARE the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others.

Read more about the Early Church & add your COMMENT on Scripture.

ACT now.

+ SHARE the Gospel history witnessed in the CURRENT chronological SERIES from ACTS of the APOSTLES.

James – a Greater Thunder and a lesser king
We know this about Jesus’ Apostles: twelve followed the Lord Jesus for three years .. everywhere. One of the twelve betrayed Him, but three Apostles were closer to Jesus than any man or woman born of this world

Peter, James the Greater, and John

– an inner circle of the Twelve.

You probably already know this about James and John:

and James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, “Sons of Thunder”)
Gospel of Mark 3:17 Legacy Standard Bible

Thunder, Wild Horses & Swords

We know little about James the Greater, the older son of Zebedee, but as one of three leaders appointed by the Lord Christ Jesus, Herod will soon set his sights on all three of these Apostles.
- Peter led the Apostles and the Church after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.
- John was the youngest Apostle and the younger brother of James; perhaps by a year, five years or maybe more; but John outlived them all until about A.D. 100.
- James and John had also both been disciples of John the Baptist before Christ took them in as part of His inner circle.
Now about that time Herod the king [Agrippa I] laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to harm them.
Acts 12:1 :: Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)

Today we look back at a context of Acts 12 with an old connection to John the Baptist and Herod.

The Gospels, of course, proclaim the Good News that is to come out of all this conflict.

Ἡρῴδης – Herod – ‘a hero’
- †Ἡρώδης Hērṓdēs, hay-ro’-dace; compound of ἥρως hḗrōs (a “hero”) and G1491; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings:—Herod. – source: Lexicon :: Strong’s G2264 – hērōdēs
Let’s bring to mind some recent history etched in the minds of the Jews and the Herod’s; an awareness of John the Baptist and his disciples James and John, a relevance of national significance I will contemporize from this first century context.

Ἀγρίππας – [Herod] Agrippas – “Hero like”
- Apparently from ἄγριος (G66)
  - of men and animals in a moral sense, wild savage, fierce
- and ἵππος (G2462); a horse
To the Jews, Herod Agrippa is a ‘hero-like wild horse’, wielding a Jewish king’s sword against Rome (but also his enemies) with a desperate hope of restoring the glory of David’s kingdom a thousand years before, as his grandfather (Herod the Great) had begun to rebuild.

a 21st c. look at James the Greater
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Never forget that ALL Twelve of Jesus' Apostles (a Greek word of the common language of the Roman Empire) were Jews. Even in Galilee and Samaria Jews looked for a Messiah and hoped for a return of their kingdom. 

Faithful worshipers of the LORD knew Scripture in an anticipatory sense. Jews chosen by the One God in every captive Roman outpost of the A.D. first century looked longingly for their Messiah (Christ, in Greek) who will finally establish the Kingdom of the Lord in all the heavens and earth.
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ANY man who might stand against ANY king Herod (who is NOT the Messiah) or Caesar (who faithful Jews would not call, Lord) is a threat to the Roman Peace attained by Judea’s first family.
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Once again we will look at events preceding ACTS 12 as if it is today's date, in the year of our Lord, A.D. 2022. 
[All first century dates are approximate from various sources.]- RH
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- 2022 – Beginning of Acts 12
  - AD 44
- 2018 – Peter shares the Gospel with gentiles in Caesarea (James & John presumably would have continued to lead the church in Jerusalem during Peter’s mission trip.)
  - AD 40
- 2017 – Herod Antipas of Galilee, who had John the Baptist beheaded about ten years earlier, died.
  - AD 39
- 2015 – Saul of Tarsus comes to the Apostles after his conversion.
  - AD 37
- 2010 – Stephen, a leading disciple of The Way, sentenced by the Sanhedrin to death by stoning, after which Herod and the Jews authorize relentless persecution of disciples of Jesus’ Apostles.
  - AD 33
14 Years ago + An Eventful Year.
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A.D. 30 would have been fourteen years ago and might linger in the collective memory of the church like these contemporary memories:
Actual Events of 2007: iPhone announced;  Mitt Romney, Rudi Giuliani, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Joe Biden and many others are running for President of the U.S.; 
or Actual Events of 2008: President Bush signs the $700 billion bailout / Rescue package bill; Fidel Castro steps down as president of Cuba; Iraq war costs $3 trillion.
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- 2008 + Jesus Christ interrogated by the Sanhedrin and scourged by Romans, crucified on a Cross, raised from death, left a sealed tomb and appeared to the Apostles and hundreds of other disciples!
  - The risen Lord Jesus also sent the Holy Spirit to believers on Pentecost.
  - Peter and disciples of Jesus proclaimed the Gospel in the Temple and
  - Accompanying signs and miracles sent by the Lord confirmed their teaching.
  - Therefore many Jews follow the Apostles’ teachings and believe in Jesus as the Messiah of God.
  - ALL this in ~AD 30!
James the Greater, of course, was in town [Jerusalem] to witness all of this recent history along with the other Apostles.

During JESUS’ earthly ministry:
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~AD 2006-2008 in our contemporized scenario:
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- 2006 – A great new prophet John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River. Then Jesus calls Twelve Apostles to “follow Him.” James and John, already disciples of John the Baptist, follow Jesus.
  - AD 28 {3 years before Jesus was crucified}
Luke 9:

And calling the twelve together, He gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. And He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. .. And departing, they were going from village to village, proclaiming the gospel and healing everywhere.

Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead..

And Herod said, “I myself had John beheaded, but who is this man about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see Him.
Gospel of Luke 9:9 LSB – Herod inquiring about miracles of the Messiah Jesus and his Apostles

JESUS was confrontational in the mind of Herod, just as John had been before the king had the Baptist beheaded.

James the Great vs. an unbelieving Samaritan village

[Some disciples of Jesus] ..entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. But they did not receive Him..

And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But He turned and rebuked them..
Gospel of Luke 9:54-55a LSB

Why would James the Greater believe that he could command such judgment on an entire village?

Because Peter, James and John had witnessed that Jesus IS God in flesh and blood!

James the Greater, like Peter or like King Herod for that matter, is the kind of imposing man who wants to take charge.

Gospel of the Apostle Matthew 20:

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.”
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Mark records in his Gospel:
Then James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying to Him, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.” - Mark 10:35
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But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.” He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”
Matthew 20:22-23 LSB – Jesus’ answer to the sons of thunder..
Remember our Lord’s assurance to James the Greater and to John: “My cup you shall drink..”

James the Greater – a closeness to Jesus

Peter and James and John all held close their friendship of Jesus, their Lord and Master Teacher, during those three years of Christ’s earthly incarnation.

The Gospel of Luke 9:

Now it happened.. that taking along Peter and John and James, He went up on the mountain to pray.
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Mark adds some detail in his Gospel: *brought them up on a high mountain alone by themselves. 
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And it happened that while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and [flashing like lightning].
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James, John and Simon Peter were the only mortal men on that mountain with the Lord.
But then:
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And behold, two men were talking with Him, and they were Moses and Elijah, who, appearing in [splendor], were speaking of His [exodus] which He was about to fulfill at Jerusalem.
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Note here a similar failing of the flesh of Jesus' three closest friends, their inattention to the prayers of this Son of Man even as they would later fall asleep in Gethsemane. After the Lord's death and resurrection the three Apostles would confess their mortal limitations on both occasions.
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Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep, but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him.
Gospel of Luke 9:32 LSB
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Jesus, with a face like lightning! The Prophet Elijah and Moses the LORD's shepherd of the Hebrews during their forty year exodus from slavery in Egypt appear with Jesus! 
All witnessed by Peter, John and James.

As if that wasn't enough GOOD NEWS on the mountaintop, similar to the sign at Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist, the LORD speaks!
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.. a cloud [occurred] and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.
Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!”
Gospel of Luke 9:34b-35 LSB
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James the Greater, along with his brother and Simon, kept silent about this in those days, Luke records later. 
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Fulfillment of Fourteen Years in Jerusalem

In the minds of the Jews (including Herod) James was a likely successor to Jesus.

Ἰάκωβος – James

Did you know that James is a common name in Israel? i.e. James the Great AND James the Less are both Apostles

It’s the same as Ἰακώβ, which even in Greek looks like the name of its Hebrew root:: יַעֲקֹב

Jacob, who the LORD renamed, Israel.

Along with Simon Peter (when he was not on a journey of his own) and his brother John, James the Greater proclaimed the Gospel of the risen Christ Jesus in Jerusalem.

James proclaimed the Gospel in the Temple courtyards and streets of Jerusalem and led the daily lives of so many new followers of The Way. He worked in the leadership of the Twelve, which now included Mathias in place of Judas Iscariot.

“Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”
Luke 9:54b – [likely the words of James the Greater]

And this Greater Apostle of the inner circle of the Messiah of Israel would have recalled the rebuke of the Lord in a newfound daily humility in serving his risen Lord, the Christ Jesus.

But He turned and rebuked them, and said,

“You do not know what kind of spirit you are of,

for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”

And they went on to another village.

.. whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me;
for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.”
Gospel of Luke 9:48b – invitation of Jesus Christ & humility in following Him

Acts of the Apostles 12:

Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to harm them.

And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword.
Acts of the Apostles 12:2 LSB – Herod Agrippa I executes James the Greater

To be continued…
August 9, 2022
Predictions of Prophets and missions of gods
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Cover photo: statue of Emperor Claudius as the Greek god Jupiter.
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Some Prophets from Jerusalem

Now in those days, some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
ACTS 11:27 Legacy Standard Bible

A believer in Christ, follower of a false prophet, worshiper of an ancient god or iconic contemporary might easily miss the significance of these four verses from ACTS of the Apostles.

As you may recall from our previous look at ACTS 11:26, we have been in Antioch for a year now.

https://talkofjesus.com/an-antioch-blueprint-of-church-evangelism/
Antioch was 3rd largest city in the Roman Empire, a commercial center of trade with all the world

‘Christians‘ – a label by outsiders

The followers of Jesus were so different from the culture around them.. Clearly the followers of the
Way’ .. people of all cultural backgrounds, weren’t Jews. Gentile observers called them, “little Christs.”
Tony Merida – Christ-centered Exposition – Exalting Jesus in Acts [p. 162]

As we observed last time these events took place around A.D. 40 just a few years after the resurrection of Jesus. But these are also tumultuous times for the Roman Empire ruling over a largely Greek-speaking world once ruled by Alexander the Great just three centuries earlier.

Conquering Roman leaders would march their captives into Rome and be worshiped as gods. These mere men likened themselves to the many idols of Rome and gods of ancient Greece and eastern lands where Jews were also led as captives centuries before.

“Only gods may choose new gods.
Claudius, as he refused the request of Alexandrian Greeks to dedicate a temple to his divinity
Tiberius Claudius Nero Caesar Drusus (1 August 10 BC–13 October 54), originally known as Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus, was the fourth Roman Emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, ruling from 24 January 41 to his death in 54. – source

Claudius

On 24 January 41, Caligula was assassinated in a broad-based conspiracy involving Cassius Chaerea – a military tribune in the Praetorian Guard – and several senators..

The Senate quickly met and began debating a change of government, but this eventually devolved into an argument over which of them would be the new princeps. When they heard of the Praetorians’ claim, they demanded that Claudius be delivered to them for approval, but he refused, sensing the danger that would come with complying.

Source: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Some historians, particularly Josephus, claim that Claudius was directed in his actions by the Judean King Herod Agrippa..

[Who we will meet later in Acts of the Apostles during upcoming missions of the Apostle Paul.]
Claudius was the first emperor proclaimed on the initiative of the Praetorian Guard instead of the Senate [of Rome]
source [more below]

Claudius was concerned with the spread of eastern mysteries within the city and searched for more Roman replacements.. He expelled foreign astrologers, and at the same time rehabilitated the old Roman soothsayers (known as haruspices) as a replacement..

Claudius forbade proselytizing in any religion, even in those regions where he allowed natives to worship freely. [Freedom from {other} religion – sound familiar?}]

It is also reported that at one time he expelled the Jews from Rome. [SEE ACTS 18]

In the world you will have tribulation..

Claudius restored the status of the peaceful Imperial Roman provinces of Macedonia and Achaea as senatorial provinces.

Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. – Acts 11:1

“And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ – Acts 11:16

Acts 11 continued

27 Now in those days, some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and indicated by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius.

The bold prophesy of future desolation

Who has ever heard of this prophet?

And what brashness to predict some future disaster coming to all the inhabited world!

A POWERFUL prince may predict what disaster he will bring upon the lands he will invade or a lord of legions may cause the devastation of his own citizens, but who can say what the Lord God will do to the whole world?

And who would believe it anyway?

(What can mere mortal men do even knowing of such disasters yet to come?)

Ἄγαβος? (Never heard of him.)

Agabus is a Christian prophet.

Luke’s account of this prediction reveals the power behind Agabus’ prediction of famine is none other than the Holy Spirit of God, Who has already intervened with some frequency in Acts of the Apostles.

From their own history the Jews know that God will certainly do what he reveals through his prophets.

دانيال (Daniel) 5 :: Open New Arabic Version (NAV)

When Belshazzar tasted the wine, he said to bring the gold and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem.. They drank the wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.
Suddenly the fingers of a man’s hand came out and began writing opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, and the king saw the back of the hand that did the writing.
.. Then Daniel was brought in before the king..
“This is the interpretation of the message: ‘MENĒ’—God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it.
Daniel 5:2a,4-5,13a,26 LSB

Joseph – a similar prophecy from Scripture

Even though you may not know of Agabus you likely know the preparation of Egypt due to the prophesy of Joseph. The Church, too, will take Agabus at his word through the Spirit and prepare itself from the famine yet to come.

التكوين (Genesis) 41 :: Open New Arabic Version (NAV)

Now it happened at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had a dream.. And the ugly and [lean of flesh] thin cows ate up the seven sleek and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke.
..seven ears of grain came up on a single stalk, plump and good. And behold, seven ears, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up after them.
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, but no one can interpret it; yet I have heard it said about you, that you hear a dream and that you can interpret it.”
Genesis 41:1a,4,5b-6,15

Joseph, Daniel, Agabus & the true Prophets of God

What is it that ALL these true Prophets of the Lord God have in common?

Daniel had reminded Belshazzar son of Nebuchadnezzar how the LORD had given his father power to rule.

“[lit. You king] O king, the Most High God granted the kingdom, grandeur, glory, and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar your father.
Daniel 5:18 LSB

Joseph, Son of Israel (Jacob) gives Pharaoh a similar answer:

Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will answer concerning the welfare of Pharaoh.”
Genesis 41:16 LSB

The prophesies of the true prophet of God are neither self-serving nor words of their own AND the prophesy of the LORD will always take place as the Lord has revealed to his prophet.

Then Pharaoh named Joseph Zaphenath-paneah [the god speaks and he lives; treasury of the glorious rest; savior of the age]
Genesis 41:45a; link above to Strong’s H6847

The hundreds of disciples of the risen Christ who had received the Holy Spirit all knew that the prophesy of Agabus would be fulfilled, just as prophesies of saviors of their past had come true.

THEREFORE

Like Joseph, the disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (whom some present had witnessed after the Lord’s resurrection) obediently prepared for their certain future.

And as any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the service of the brothers living in Judea.
Acts 11:29 LSB

.. and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Acts of the Apostles 11:25b NASB

These men and women joined in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit believed this prophesy of Agabus that a famine was about to come upon the whole Roman world. They must support the Apostles of Jesus and fellow followers of The Way in Jerusalem. For these men would be blamed more than most and persecuted as Christians have already suffered even more so in these days to come.

And as for their contribution for fellow saints in Judea:

And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.

These are politically troubling times not only in Jerusalem but in Rome and throughout the Roman Empire.

King Herod (as we have just learned) is all caught up in the politics and religion issues with Claudius, Emperor and lord Caesar of the whole world; which, of course, includes Jerusalem.
To be continued.. NEXT: in Jerusalem
August 1, 2022
An Antioch Blueprint of Church Evangelism
Antioch – a Crossroads Church of the Gospel

And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
Acts of the Apostles 11:26 ESV – [CLICK HERE for other versions]

‘Christians’ – an all-too-familiar label ‘christians‘ don’t understand

Hundreds of disciples of Jesus Christ were first mocked in Antioch as ‘Christians.’ The Church now claims this defining label as our connection to Christ.

You know this Scripture concerning the label ‘Christians.’ But do you know the significance of Antioch, this place where the church was first called ‘Christians?’

Gentiles and Jews Regenerated in the Holy Spirit

IF you have been following our series in Acts from Luke’s historical account of the first century Church you will have noticed a new testament of the Holy Spirit beyond Jerusalem.

The resurrection of Jesus becomes a New Testament of Good News to the world; grace to gentiles in various places — fellow sinners who now identify in Him and by the power of the Holy Spirit with a regenerated remnant of faithful Jews who worship their Messiah Jesus.

Let us continue in Acts of the Apostles where we left off as Peter defends his actions in Jerusalem.

Can anyone withhold Baptism from Gentiles?

“..who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” – defense of Simon Peter in ACTS 11:17b NASB

Acts 11: continued in Antioch
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Listen to a very Jewish glance at this same response of Simon Peter to the Jews. (Of course Peter is a jewish disciple of Yeshua [יְהוֹשׁוּעַ].)
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17 “If then Hashem gave the same matanah to them as also to us after believing in Moshiach Adoneinu, who then was I to stand in the way of Hashem?”
Gevurot 11:17-30 [LINK to: NASB;KJ21;OJB;SBLGNT]
Orthodox Jewish Bible
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Did you get that, you goyim 'christians' who did not know the significance of Antioch in calling you Christians along with our remnant saved by our Messiah? 

JESUS came in Person, was sacrificed on a gentile Roman Cross and rose from the grave in Body and Spirit for YOU as well! 

You gentiles are also CHOSEN! Simeon Petros has witnessed this amazing new sign.

So from Antioch -- we too proclaim Christ to the Nations and your world as well.
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When they heard these things they fell silent.

And they glorified God, saying,

“Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
Acts of the Apostles 11:18 ESV
Ἀντιόχεια (Antioch)

A Roman crossroads of cultures

Antioch was third largest city in the Empire, behind Rome & Alexandria

It’s population is estimated to be a half-million people (some free and some slave)

Comparabl population to 21st c. Atlanta GA US or

Latur India 501,664

Xuancheng China 500,734
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This Ancient Roman road connected Antioch and Chalcis.
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Diaspora, (Greek: “Dispersion”) Hebrew Galut (Exile)

Seleucus founded a number of new cities during his reign, including Antioch (300 BC), Edessa and Seleucia on the Tigris (c. 305 BC), a foundation that eventually depopulated Babylon. (source: wikipedia)

The Jews of Israel (Samaria) culturally had changed since its defeat eight centuries Before Christ.

The Jews of Judah (Judea) also changed culturally when forced east six centuries before Christ.

Before Rome, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Egypt and especially various Greek empires influenced Jews living throughout the world.

Kingdoms of Alexander the Great
356-323 Before Christ included:

Macedonia, Egypt, Persia & Asia
Cultural History of 323 BC

This is RECENT HISTORY to the JEWS of every land, including Hasmonean Judea under the rule and control of the powerful military of Rome. The tolerance of culture in Antioch looked back to the golden age of Alexander much in the way as any city in the US would look back to our recent cultural history, including those with similar populations such as: Atlanta, Kansas City, Mesa, Sacramento, Omaha, Colorado Springs, Raleigh and Virginia Beach.

Put your witness as Christians into this parallel context to Antioch:
- AD 40 – Peter in Antioch (AD 2022)
- Jesus earthly ministry (AD 2010’s)
- 323 BC – Death of Alexander (AD 1600’s)
  - (The 1600’s in the US include familiar cultural history like: Jamestown VA Colony (of England), Hudson River exploration by Dutch; various wars between European empires and local native nations; several colonies and cities founded; Harvard University founded by a Congregational minister; Salem witch trials by the Puritans)
Antioch, at the crossroads between the nations, stood as the place where Christians could take the Gospel in any direction into all the world.
Talk of Jesus .com

The Church in Antioch

.. and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Acts of the Apostles 11:25b NASB

The Cultural Richness of Antioch

ACTS 11:

19 So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia [21st c. Lebanon], [island of] Cyprus, and [in 21st c. Turkey] Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone.

20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene [coast of 21st c. Libya], who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks [Hellenists or Greek-speaking, racially and culturally gentiles traditionally separated from jews] as well, preaching the good news of the Lord Jesus.

21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.

The Antioch Blueprint

An Antioch-like church gets involved with people. We must learn how to live with and speak winsomely to unbelievers.
Tony Merida – LOVE YOUR CHURCH + 8 Great Things about being a Church Member
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Due to the doctrinal importance of this Antioch model for the Church, I will quote extensively at this juncture from LOVE YOUR CHURCH [also linked above] and CHRIST-CENTERED Exposition - EXALTING JESUS IN ACTS also by Tony Merida. - RH
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- Gospel Intelligibility – verse 20
“We don’t read here about ‘Christ Jesus,’ ‘Messiah Jesus,’ or ‘the anointed King Jesus.”

Why? This isn’t a Jewish crowd. This is a Gentile crowd, unfamiliar with the promises that God made.. to send his anointed Messiah King.
Tony Merida – LOVE YOUR CHURCH; p. 146
- The title kurios,Lord, was commonly spoken in Antioch
  - The titles Messiah or anointed King (Christ, in Greek) only spoke to Jews familiar with Scripture.
- The Lord’s Sovereignty – verse 21
The Lord Jesus is the hero of the (gospel) message.. and the source of power.. Jesus was building his church right in hedonistic Antioch.
CHRIST-CENTERED Exposition – EXALTING JESUS IN ACTS; p. 159 – Tony Merida
- Accountability – verse 22
22 The news about them reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch.
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Note that accountability comes before encouragement in the Apostolic model of the Church.
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- Encouragement – vs. 22-24
They weren’t Jewish. Antioch had no Apostles to lead them. So the Apostles sent Barnabas, a trusted and faithful disciple of the Apostles’ teaching to Antioch and he could verify the faith of these gentile believers of the Lord Jesus.

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; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and faith.

And considerable numbers were added to the Lord.
- Instruction (Teaching or Doctrine) – vs. 25-27
25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.

Barnabas, a Levite familiar with priestly Jewish Law and resident of nearby Cypress, seeks out Saul, an expert in Jewish Pharisaical teachings of the Law and Prophets who he had earlier encouraged after Paul encountered the risen Jesus on his way to persecute disciples of The Way in Damascus.

And for an entire year they [Barnabas & Paul] met with the church and taught considerable numbers of people
Acts 11:26b – NASB

Jews discipling Gentiles! In Antioch, a huge hedonistic Roman city!

Teaching is a critical component of disciple making. Listening to music alone will not disciple new believers. Neither will merely attending church services. Christians need to know and learn how to apply Scriptures. Each of us needs faithful instruction in God’s Word.
Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary, p. 162

ALL came to know that these growing crowds of Antiochians who gathered with Barnabas and Saul spoke of the Lord Jesus. Yet these new gentile disciples came to understand this Lord as the same Christ Jesus, King of the Jews (as Pontius Pilate had said).
- Fruit – v. 26
‘The saints in Antioch so identified with Jesus that fellow Gentile observers called them, “little Christs.”
- Does anyone, my fellow follower of Jesus, call you a ‘little Christ?”
Tony Merida points to this key ‘turning point’ in history: [p.162–3]

The followers of Jesus were so different from the culture around them that citizens had to develop a third classification of people — something new beyond the Jew or Gentile distinction..

The church in Antioch was like an embassy of the kingdom of God.
Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary, p. 163

ACTS 11:26c
..and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
July 2, 2022