Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. (Acts 11:25, 26)
The gospel spreads and Jerusalem catches up with the news that the good news has reached the Gentiles through Peter’s experience. It’s interesting, however, that in the dispersion after Stephen’s death, folks who went to Antioch already had the urge to share the news with Gentiles.
As Jerusalem hears of what’s going on in Antioch, the exploration by Barnabas – the son of encouragement – motivates him to encourage them in their efforts. Not only that, but he goes out to find Saul. Now why does he do that? Why doesn’t he just get on with the job of teaching on his own, or identify a capable teacher in the area?
What I love about reading this episode is Barnabas rekindles the relationship he developed with Saul and rather than hogging the work to himself, sees a great opportunity to encourage someone capable of doing great works for Christ. Barnabas sees this as an opportunity to support the development of someone else. He makes the most of that to practice partnership teaching, which has such an impact on the life of the believers in Antioch that the folks get a nickname that has turned into the name they refer to followers of Jesus today.
What does that say about the impact of the believers’ lifestyle in Antioch? What does that also say about the teaching the church received by Barnabas and Saul? It was evidently not a feel-good, ego-massaging, theory based teaching. This was teaching that enabled believers to be like Little Christs.
What a great example of these Christians in action when they hear the prophecy of the famine scheduled to hit. Before Bob Geldof, the believers saw the need and generously gave of themselves to meet it. Meeting the need by sending support through the two men who had taught them the giving nature of Christ.
Such encouraging partnership approaches to teaching can benefit us today. We can experience a similar impact that influences those looking on. As we hear and see the needs of brothers and sisters around the world, we can meet them because of the good news of Jesus Christ that makes us family.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 