Spreading the Gospel

Last Time - Peter takes gospel to the Gentiles  - example Cornelius
Explains how/why this happened to the leadership - Acts 11:18

Now the gospel spreads even further - (BOTH geographically and socially) mainly to the Jews
Acts 11:19 - "scattered" - Acts 8:1,4

But Acts 11:20 - probably = Hellenistic Jews ... (not strong Jewish traditionalists, spoke Greek) - took gospel to NON-Jews ie.  Gentiles.  Went to Antioch - 3rd. most influential city in the Roman Empire

Why??  (1)  excited about the gospel ??
            (2)  Inherent knowledge - (Holy Spirit) that salvation is available to ALL people!!
Acts 11:21 = God Present and active.  Hence  "many turned"

Acts 11:22 - this made a "big splash!:  The news carried  (approximately 225 land miles)
So.... the Apostles send Barnabas to "check it out".  - Compare:  Acts 8:14

Acts 11:23 - Barnabas SAW evidence!! and therefore encouraged them... Acts 11:24 implies even MORE turned because of his presence and ministry.

 PORTRAIT OF BARNABAS

Acts 4:36-37, 9:26-28 = well known, highly respected, TRUSTED!! 
Great influencer!!

BUT...He was NOT a theologian!!  So... Acts 11:25-26 - That's when they go after Paul.

Question:  Why is a theologian needed?
Answer:  "we believe death, burial, resurrection and current reign of Jesus Christ: 
But ... what else???? 
(1)  NO New Testament at this time
(2)  these converts without Jewish (Old Testament) background!!

So..... what kind of Belief and Practice might evolve?  All kinds of heresies could form..

OK.  Why Paul??
(1)  Barnabas knew him!!
(2)  Paul well schooled in Old Testament Hebrew Tradition  (studied under Gameliel)
(3)  also had "liberal arts degree" = therefore could identify with both Jews AND Gentiles (customs, philosophies, etc.)
(4)  personally schooled bu the Risen Christ!!  (2 Cor. 12, Gal. 1)
(5)  (eventually) recognized BY the Apostles as a fellow apostle!!  (2 Pet. 3:15-16)

Acts 11:26b  "Christian" almost certainly not a SELF designation!!  Words used by Christians in the New Testament to describe themselves = believer - Saint - Disciple - Servant - Brethren
The non-Christians in Antioch called them 'Christian' (little Christs)

Suggests... Christians' numbers and influence in Antioch was sufficient to merit a Name tag! 
A designation as an identifiable people group!
Which means ... they were making a Big Splash in Antioch.

APPLICATION
Let's look at....

I.  The process of Gentile Conversion

     A.  They HEARD the Gospel

     B.  They were CONVICTED by the Holy Spirit  

    C.  They BELIEVED  (or not!!)   Paul in Romans Chap. 1 says ALL know!!!  Just a matter of choosing, deciding!!

    D.  They TURNED 
         turned FROM --- not necessarily from great evil!  maybe from indifference, selfishness, self-sufficiency, preferred lifestyle, etc.
        turned TO == this is always the same in Christian conversion.  ie:  turn TO Jesus (as Savior and Lord)

This process has not changed!!  Is always the same.

II.  True conversion has visible results  Acts 11:23
      hence "fruit" - Gal. 5:22-23
and so .. James 2:14, 26 - fruit is result of having been saved.

III.  The early Church needed to embrace Apostolic Authority.  men trained BY Christ Both Before and After Resurrection!!  TO PUT the church on the right track and Keep church on the right track!!

The Church today needs that same Apostolic Authority.  (for the same reasons!!) 
Where is this authority found? 
Answer = Scriptures  Eph. 2:19-20  Doesn't change through time.

Zeal without Knowledge is a recipe for error.  (faith without a head)
However,
Knowledge without zeal is a passionless faith  (faith without a heart)

IV.  THE church today needs BOTH Zeal and Knowledge!!
Zeal to ward off APATHY!
Knowledge to ward off HERESY!!
We NEED BOTH - Pauls and Barnabas's!!

REVISIT:  Not everyone can be a Paul!!
But (nearly) everyone can be a Barnabas!!  Example:  Robert Sheffey - circuit riding encourager

V.  The people who carried the Gospel to Antioch remain unknown, un-named  (to us)

POINT:  You don't have to be known to be influential!  

example = Billy Graham - thru crusades/radio & TV preached gospel to more than 2 billion people. 
Chain of conversion? 
Billy Graham led by Mordecai Ham
Mordecai Ham led by Billy Sunday
Billy Sunday led by Wilbur Chapman
Wilbur Chapman led by D L Moody
All these men = well know and very successful evangelists!

BUT... who led D L Moody?
Answer:  a virtual 'unknown' ie.  a Sunday School teacher by the name of Edward Kimball!!

So... again... You don't need to be known to be influential.  You need only be Faithful to the calling God gives you  to be influential.