Acts 1-2: AD30 Acts 11 begins about
Point: Cornelius needed to be (v.14)
Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually. – Acts 10:1 -2 (NASB95)
Godly people when is revealed (v.18)
Why Pagan/Gentiles were attracted to the Gospel (vv.20-21)
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God… – John 1:12 (NASB)
(v.22) Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”)… – Acts 4:36 (NIV)
(vv.23-24)
When he arrived and saw what grace (favor) God was bestowing upon them… – Acts 11:23 (AMPC)
Grace: charis – grace, favor (OTESD)
Antioch was the first Gentile
Barnabas considered the Antioch church as
What good men, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, : (vv.23-24)
…because he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and a significant number of people were brought to the Lord. – Acts 11:24 (NET)
Will at what God (v.23)
Will new believers (v.23)
Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.
– 2 Corinthians 1:24 (NASB95)
Will point new believers to (v.23)
…was exhorting all with purpose of heart to cleave to the Lord… – Acts 11:23 (YLT)
(vv.25-26)
Saul/Paul becomes a believer (Acts 9)
Spends 3 years in the desert (Acts 9:22-23)
Barnabas goes to Tarsus to find Saul/Paul
Saul/Paul goes to Antioch
Paul spends about in obscurity
…to seek (anazeetoo) Saul… – Acts 11:25 (KJV)
Seek: anazeetoo – to seek out, search through, make diligent search (Thayer’s)
So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking (anazeetoo) Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple… – Luke 2:45-46 (NKJV)
Characteristics of a healthy church: (vv.24-29)
(v.24)
Emphasizing (v.26)
Listening to the (vv.27-28)
Partnering with God (v.29)