Bible Study - Glue (2) - Stick with Encouragement - Acts 9:26-28: 11:21-16 - May 3, 2015

Bible Study – Glue (2) – Stick with Encouragement – May 3, 2015

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Like Glue: Making Relationships Stick.”

Our focus scripture is Acts 9:26-28; 11:21-26.

Encouragement strengthens relationships.

Our lesson focuses on Joseph of Cyprus or we know him better by his nickname “Barnabas” which means “son of exhortation” or “son of encouragement” and on early years of the Apostle Paul after his salvation experience.

We studied a few weeks ago Saul/Paul and his encounter with JESUS. Paul had a special encounter with JESUS on the road to Damascus. Paul was on his way to Damascus to arrest the followers of JESUS and take them to Jerusalem to be tried before the Jewish religious leaders. These early Christian believers were called “the Way.” It was later, as we will learn in this lesson, that they were called “Christians” which the non-Christians labeled them.

After Paul’s conversion from Judaism to being a follower of JESUS, JESUS called a disciple in Damascus named Ananias to go to Paul. Ananias knew Paul’s reputation and was reluctant but Ananias was obedient to the LORD’S command and laid hands on Paul and prayed with him. Something like scales fell from Paul’s eyes and he was anointed with the filling of the Holy Spirit.

Paul immediately began preaching the gospel of CHRIST in Damascus and many people, especially Jews became followers of CHRIST. This upset the Jews and they plotted to kill Paul. Those wanting to kill Paul posted people, day and night, at the city gates of Damascus to be on the lookout for Paul. But the followers of CHRIST knew of their plot and slipped Paul out of Damascus at night by lowering him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

Scripture reads as if Paul went directly to Jerusalem from Damascus at that time but he actually went to Arabia for three (3) years. The Apostle Paul wrote about this in Galatians 1:15-24:

15 But when God, who from my birth set me apart and called me by His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me, so that I could preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me; instead I went to Arabia and came back to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know • Cephas, and I stayed with him 15 days. 19 But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 Now I am not lying in what I write to you. God is my witness. 21 Afterward, I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 I remained personally unknown to the Judean churches in Christ; 23 they simply kept hearing: “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.

After three years, Paul went to Jerusalem and spoke to the Apostle Peter and James, JESUS’ brother. I think Paul was gathering intimate details of all they knew and had experienced regarding JESUS.

We read in our scripture that when Paul arrived in Jerusalem he tried to associate with the disciples of JESUS but the reputation of his life before his salvation proceeded him. Was Paul trying to appear to be a follower of JESUS just to identify those who were followers of JESUS in order to arrest them? Christians must beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. Paul’s life had been changed by his encounter with CHRIST. Let’s go on a journey and explore!

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Let’s read Acts 9:26-28:

·       26 When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to associate with the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple. 27 Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that He had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He conversed and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they attempted to kill him. 30 When the • brothers found out, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Incidentally, Jerusalem was 175 miles from Damascus.

The disciples rejected Paul as a follower of JESUS because they were afraid of him. As stated earlier, they thought he had ulterior motives.

As Christians, do many of us have ulterior motives when we become a part of a certain Christian fellowship – such as business, social, ego and the list goes on?

GOD has a plan and purpose for every Christian. Here we have the opportunity to witness GOD’S plan and purpose of Barnabas and Paul in these early days.

Barnabas had to have the reputation such that when he vouched for Paul, the other disciples would listen and take to heart the words of Barnabas regarding Paul.   

Barnabas vouched for his conversion experience on the road to Damascus as evidenced by his life following his salvation, which was the Spiritual fruit that was being produced through his life. This was evidenced by Saul’s walk and talk.

The authenticity of Paul’s encounter with CHRIST on the road to Damascus needed to be confirmed. JESUS’ disciples knew the truth as taught to them by JESUS and they needed to confirm that Paul was speaking and living these truths.

That is why Christians must know the truth, as taught by JESUS and should they encounter someone not speaking or living that truth to know that could be wolves in sheep’s clothing. So beware! But the key is that you know the truth so you can discern the truth. Discernment is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

The disciples allowed Paul to minister with them while keeping a close eye on him and the gospel he was preaching. In time, their confidence in Paul was satisfied.

Once the disciples were convinced that Paul’s encounter with JESUS was real, they accepted him into their midst by the phrase “Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the LORD.”

Once accepted by the disciples, Paul seems to switch into high gear and debated with the Hellenistic Jews. Saul spoke “boldly.” When we are convinced of truth and know truth, we have a burning desire to let others know that truth. If we knew a person was dying of a terrible disease and we knew the cure, we would want him or her to know the cure. The sick person would then have to discern if he or she would take the cure.

Paul had been a Hellenistic Jew. He had been trained in the best Jewish schools and he knew Judaism like the back of his hand but now he knew the truth regarding the coming of the promised Messiah, JESUS.

Hellenistic Jews were Jews who grew up outside of Jerusalem and generally spoke Greek. Paul debated with them and his bold presentation managed to tick them off and they plotted to kill him. But GOD watches out for HIS own and Paul’s fellow JESUS followers found out about the Hellenistic plot to kill Paul and took Paul to “Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.”

Why Tarsus? Simply, that was Paul’s home area. He should be safe in that area and with the passion he had for spreading the gospel of CHRIST, it would be a ripe area for him to preach and minister.

I know, I can look back at my life and see the hand of GOD moving me from one area to another for my good and to learn more about HIM.

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Let’s Read Acts 11:20-24:

·       20 But there were some of them, Cypriot and Cyrenian men, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Hellenists, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 Then the report about them was heard by the church that was at Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel as far as Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with a firm resolve of the heart, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And large numbers of people were added to the Lord.

The Apostle Paul was ministering in his home area of Tarsus. The gospel of CHRIST was spreading in other areas as well, specifically Antioch. It was roughly 100+ miles by land from Antioch to Tarsus and about 490 miles from Jerusalem to Antioch.

Antioch was a melting of people and cultures and would become the base for spreading the gospel of CHRIST to the Gentiles.

Jews and Gentiles alike were responding to the gospel of CHRIST. The disciples in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch to check out what was happening in Antioch. When Barnabas arrived in Antioch, he witnessed the “LORD’S hand at work.”

GOD’S desire is for every human on the face of the earth to become a Christian and HE works to bring their salvation about. But since HE made mankind with the freedom to choose, the decision whether or not to accept CHRIST as their Savior is left to them. GOD’S hand or power intervenes in each person’s life to bring him or her to a saving knowledge of JESUS. GOD works in the most secret place of each person and that is the “eyes of the heart.”

Notice the word “turned.” “Turned” is an action. When GOD’S Spirit touches the life of a person, he or she has a choice. Those who accept CHRIST as his or her Savior experience a life changing moment. Such an event was taking place in Antioch which resulted in the Christian church leaders in Jerusalem hearing about it. The Jerusalem Christian church leaders wanted to know more about what was taking place there, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch to evaluate the situation.

The church leaders chose Barnabas because he had been a Hellenist Jew. A Hellenist Jew is a Jew who lived outside of Jerusalem and often spoke Greek. He could deal with the struggle the Jews had in understanding the relationship between Christianity (grace) and Judaism (law). The Christian leaders in Jerusalem gave full authority to Barnabas to settle any issues because they had confidence that he would settle them responsibility and in accordance with early Christian church doctrine.

When Barnabas arrived in Antioch, he saw the “grace of GOD” at work in the lives of the JESUS followers. He encouraged them to keep doing what they had been doing and to stick with what they were being taught. His basis was that he witnessed the Holy Spirit at work in the lives of those JESUS followers. He saw fruit being produced in the lives of those Christians. If it works and is ministering, then leave it alone.

Barnabas had the credentials. He was an obedient Christian, “full of the Holy Spirit and of the faith.” He witnessed large numbers of people being added to the Lord.

Others being added to the Christian faith is good but putting our faith into action is a vital step. Christianity is more than seeing large numbers of people come to know JESUS as their Savior. Salvation is just the beginning of a life long journey with CHRIST. It is all about building the right relationship with JESUS and, in turn, GOD. Knowing CHRIST is the path to knowing GOD. JESUS said it best in John 14: 6:

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

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Let’s read Acts 11:25-26:

·       25 Then he went to Tarsus to search for Saul, 26 and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.

Barnabas saw opportunity in Antioch and thought of his Hellenist friend Saul. So Barnabas leaves Antioch and went to Tarsus to search for Saul. He found him and brought Saul to Antioch, where they ministered for a year.

To be chosen to minister for CHRIST and to be able to use your Spiritual gifts is always such as blessing. Sometimes Christians have to take a time out before GOD can use us. Being in timeout does not mean we do nothing but often that is where we gain perspective. Could Saul being in Tarsus be giving him a timeout to gain the proper perspective and learn? But how encouraging it is when Christians who have run into a rough spot have an opportunity to serve and are chosen to continue their work for the LORD JESUS. I am sure Saul was ready to serve.

It was in Antioch where the disciples were first called Christians. It is interesting that the followers of JESUS did not call themselves “Christians” but the non-Christians called them “Christians.”

The word “called” means “were called after their business.” Thus a baker, baked and the shoemaker, made shoes, the carpenter built things, etc. The non-Christians watched the CHRIST followers, they described them based upon what they observed thus “Christians.”

“In the Gentile world the name “CHRIST” was thought to be the proper name for JESUS.” (Page 126, Leaders Guide, spring 2015, published by LifeWay.) The term “Christ Ones” also distinguished the “followers of CHRIST from the Jewish sect.

Before Antioch, Christian movement was referred to as “The Way.”

When others observe us, what message do we send? Christianity is more about what we do and what we say. It is vital that our talk match our walk. Do we measure up? No! Christians realize that we are saved by the shed blood of JESUS and we are empowered by the Holy Spirit but we also fail because of the rule of the flesh. But that is where GOD’S grace comes in and our confession of the wrongs we do against our fellow man and GOD. Confession and repentance equals restoration.

1 John 1:9:

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Look back over our scripture and identify those who were encouragers beginning with GOD.

As Christians do we encourage others and come to their defense when church leaders turn against them? I am not saying that Christians a turn a blind eye to sin and wrong doing. But do we investigate to know the truth? Blessings!!!