WILL YOU CHANGE

HISTORY?

Acts 11: 19 - 30

EVERYWHERE TO ANYWHERE!

• Last week: Quantum Leap Change: Israel chosen to

be the world’s priests (Ex 19) – now Believers

committed to Jesus are called “the Priesthood of

believers” I Peter 2

• You are the priests/pastors of your family, your friends,

and your Deaf Community! Their duties & role were to

represent Jesus to the people and represent/present

the people to Jesus…

• Acts 11: 19 – 30 introduces

us to several important cities:

• Jerusalem

• Phoenicia (Lebanon area)

• Antioch of Syria (Turkey)

• Tarsus – P/Saul’s home

• Cyprus – Barnabas’ home

• Cyrene – Libya (N. Africa)

• V19 – Persecution after Stephen’s death caused believers to

scatter throughout the Roman Empire (diaspora)

• They traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch –

spreading the Word only to the Jews

• V20 – however, some came from Cyprus and Cyrene who

went to Antioch and spoke in Greek to the Greeks – sharing

the good news about Jesus

• V21 – Missio Dei (the heart of God)! The Lord’s hand was

with them, and a great number believed and turned to the

Lord!

• Cyrene – Matt 27: 23 “Simon

of Cyrene” a Jewish convert

in Jerusalem to celebrate the

Passover and Pentecost –

forced to help Jesus carry the

cross

• Father of Alexander and

Rufus (who most likely were

there and saw their dad

forced help Jesus carry the

cross) – Mark 15:21 & Acts

16:13 (Rufus = Church leader)

Something Miraculous Happens

When Confronting the Cross

A LOOK AT ANTIOCH OF SYRIA

• 300 bc Greeks ruled – Greek

language became the common

language

• 64 bc Roman Empire ruled and

became the 3

largest city in the

Roman Empire (Rome, Alexandria/N.

Africa, and Antioch)

• Peter is called the founder of the

Antioch Church

• 47 – 55 ad Paul’s headquarters

• Acts 11 – first place “Christians” used

• Remember the missio Dei? So many were saved,

Jerusalem leaders heard!

• V22 The Jerusalem Church sent Barnabas (born in

Cyprus)

• V23 When he arrived, he saw what the grace of God

had done

• V23 He encouraged them and taught them to remain

true to the Lord with all their hearts

• V24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit, and a

great number of people accepted Jesus into their

hearts

GAME CHANGER!

• V25 Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for P/Saul,

• V26 and when Barnabas found P/Saul, he brought S/Paul to

Antioch

• Approximately 15 years passed between Acts 9 to Acts 11

Paul’s stay and escape from Damascus, 3 years spent in the

Syrian desert, returned to his home in Tarsus – Barnabas

brought him to the Disciples in Jerusalem, then P/Saul

returned to Tarsus and again, Barnabas brings P/Saul to

Antioch – ministered 1 year there and many were saved

• This is where they were first called “Christians”

THE CHURCH TAKES ACTION

• Vv27 & 28 – We meet Agabus – a Spirit-filled Christian

prophet (we will see him again in Acts 21:10)

• He prophesies there will be a serious famine that will spread

though the entire Roman Empire – Luke tells us the famine

did happen during the reign of the Roman Emperor

Claudius (reigned 41 ad to 54 ad)

• The Antioch Church decided that they would be

committed to helping the Churches throughout Judea

TWO BIG PICTURES IN THESE VERSES:

P/Saul

Persecution and

Conversion

Barnabas’

Relationship

Brought them to

Antioch

Christians grow

Church reaches

beyond their

walls

Simon of

Cyrene

Forced to carry

Jesus’ cross

2 Sons: Alexander and

Rufus

becomes a

Church leader

Generations

effected…

Deaf School,

Mainstream,

Oral program

Accepted

Jesus in

your heart

Relationships

Your Life’s

Impact?

Born Deaf/Hard

of Hearing

YOUR LIFE?

What will your

story be?

Will your life

change

someone’s

history?