First Called Christians and Christians First

Sunday, August 31, 2025
Pastor Jojo Ma

19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. 27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

This great city located in Syria was an utterly pagan city with no moral compass and no Christian witness…until now, here in Acts chapter 11.

I.          The gospel brings persecution [vv19-20]
II.        The gospel produces faith [vv21-24]
III.       The gospel demands growth [vv25-26]
IV.       The gospel effects generosity [vv27-30]

I.         The gospel brings persecution [vv19-20]
19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

One thing is certain: Being faithful to Scripture and to Christ brings persecution and troubles.

II.        The gospel produces faith [vv21-24]
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

23 When [Barnabas] came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.

We ought to see God’s grace in others and be glad, rejoice, and celebrate. Why? Because it is all by God’s grace and it is all for God’s glory.

III.      The gospel demands growth [vv25-26]
25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

You cannot be saved and live how you want. You are saved to grow. And growing requires teaching, sound doctrine, and biblical instruction. You cannot have Christ and not grow in Christ. 

Heb 5:12-14 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

IV.       The gospel effects generosity [vv27-30]
27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

“This is the first charitable act of this nature in all recorded history --- one people collecting money to help another people.”

26 And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Brothers and sisters, are you a Christian first? Is that the most important thing about you? Do others know you as a Christian, call you a Christian, because you are a “Christ-one”? Is the most joyful thing about your life the fact that you are loved by Christ and belong to him? Is Christ your everything, your all in all?