God’s Guiding Word: Discipleship
Introduction
Acts 11:19–30: Today’s reading focuses on the expansion of the gospel beyond Palestine. The church in Jerusalem sends Barnabas to Antioch (in Syria), and Barnabas invites Saul to join him. They spend a year in Antioch, meeting with and teaching the people, and in Antioch the believers are called Christians for the first time.
Scripture Reading
19 Some of the believers who were scattered by the persecution which took place when Stephen was killed went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, telling the message to Jews only. 20 But other believers, who were from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and proclaimed the message to Gentiles also, telling them the Good News about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s power was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
22 The news about this reached the church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw how God had blessed the people, he was glad and urged them all to be faithful and true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and many people were brought to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul. 26 When he found him, he took him to Antioch, and for a whole year the two met with the people of the church and taught a large group. It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.
27 About that time some prophets went from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and by the power of the Spirit predicted that a severe famine was about to come over all the earth. (It came when Claudius was emperor.) 29 The disciples decided that they each would send as much as they could to help their fellow believers who lived in Judea. 30 They did this, then, and sent the money to the church elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Today’s Key Verse: Acts 11:21
The Lord’s power was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
Reflect
Today’s reading tells us more about Barnabas, who became an important leader in the early church. He is first mentioned in Acts 4:36, and he appeared in Acts 9:27 as one who spoke up for Saul (see the reading from January 26). His name means “One Who Encourages.” How is Barnabas described? In what ways do you encourage others in their faith journey?
Pray
Lord God, empower me with your Holy Spirit and help me to tell the Good News about Jesus. Like Barnabas, teach me to encourage others to be faithful and true to you. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Acts 12:1–19: King Herod persecutes members of the church.