June 14, 2015: Acts 11: 19-30, 13:1-13

Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-3

¹⁹ Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. ²⁰ But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists^[a] also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. ²¹ The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord.²² News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. ²³ When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; ²⁴ for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. ²⁵ Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶ and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with^[b] the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called “Christians.”

²⁷ At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸ One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine over all the world; and this took place during the reign of Claudius. ²⁹ The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers^[c] living in Judea;³⁰ this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the ruler,^[a] and Saul. ² While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Reflection: 
The church at Antioch was the foremost of the churches in the Mediterranean. It was the church from which Paul and Barnabas were sent out and founded at least 14 other church communities. Antioch was a church with what we would call today, an eye for its mission field. They saw the struggles of communities around them set out to meet those needs. They noted the gifts of those within their community and sent them forth to share their gifts with the world. This is the true nature of the church: to be simultaneously inward and outward focused. Focused inward on growing disciples and fostering gifts. Focused outward on meeting needs and bringing people to Christ. What we see in Antioch is a balance of these two things. A balance that proved to be powerful in creating the church as we know it today.

Reflection Questions:
Morning: How do you define the Church? What are its goals and missions?
Noon: What gifts do you bring to your community of faith?
Evening: Frederich Buechner said, “God calls you to the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” What deep hunger do you see in the world? Where does your gifts and your gladness seek to fulfill that hunger?