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Acts 13:1-2. These five elders in the Church at Antioch are named. Barnabas - here he is again - he was a man of faith. He was a man who was filled with The Holy Spirit - a man who was always going around encouraging others. This is the man who knew how to give generously. This is the man who took aside Saul of Tarsus and found out that Saul had really met the Risen Lord Jesus Christ - and then introduced him to the Church in Jerusalem, as being real and genuine.

And now, Barnabas is a leader in a growing fellowship. He is an elder, and there is no higher office in the…  ( Click for more )

In these opening verses of Acts 13, we have a most beautiful picture of leadership in the local Church where we read of five men ministering unto the Lord - five men worshipping the Living God - five men of God meeting together for prayer and fasting.

Here is a picture of spiritual leadership. Here is a pattern, which is an example for anyone who wants to be a leader or teacher in The Church of Jesus Christ.

These are the five leaders of that Christian Fellowship in Antioch, which is emerging as an important centre of The Christian Faith.

We have seen how Antioch…  ( Click for more )

Acts 12:18. The scene is a prison in Jerusalem from which Peter has been miraculously set free during the night. There was quite a commotion in the morning. They had searched the prison for Peter. Every sentry and guard who had been on duty that night, with the responsibility of looking after Peter, was killed.

The scene changes again, north to the coast at Caesarea. Herod moves to Caesarea. He is the grandson of the Herod who murdered all the children of two and under when Jesus was born, and the nephew of the Herod who killed John the Baptist.

Do you see…  ( Click for more )

Acts 12. King Herod is preparing to kill Peter, but it is futile to attempt to oppose the work of Jesus Christ, and Jesus has much for Peter yet to do. All this is going on and Peter is sleeping in a Jerusalem jail.

An angel of The Lord appears and the light of God is shining in that prison.

The angel touches Peter, awakens him, and says, "Quick - get up" - and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. "Dress yourself. Put on your shoes. Follow me." How is that for giving commands! The gates and doors open. Chains and gates are no problem to our God.

Peter…  ( Click for more )

We are in Acts 12 where Peter is in prison. His friend and colleague James has been killed - James (or Jacob, the brother of John) - and famine has been prophesied.

Humanly speaking, things were not looking at all good for The Church of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem. It appeared a bit of a disaster and in one sense it all looked like total failure, as Herod's intention was to pick off the leadership one by one.

But, someone called the Church to prayer. The recognised leader was in jail, and another leader was aware of the precarious situation and called The Church…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 12, we read of James being killed by Herod and Peter being arrested and imprisoned in Jerusalem. When we come close to Jesus, this is part of the deal. This is in the small print of which we are not always aware when we come to faith in Jesus Christ, but there is a Cross to carry, and sometimes it becomes exceedingly heavy. Some will love you - some will hate you.

The first wave of persecution was against the whole Church, and one positive consequence was that it got the Church on the move. But now the leaders are being molested and persecuted with the intention…  ( Click for more )

As we leave Acts 11 and move into Acts 12, from one angle everything appears to be so wonderful, but not so, as we read on.

Back in Jerusalem King Herod unleashes another wave of persecution. After a lull - following a time of peace, Herod had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. That must have caused a shudder to run through the Jerusalem fellowship.

So often in the life and ministry of Jesus, we read of Peter James and John. These three seemed to be closer to Jesus than some of the others among the twelve. These three had been present on…  ( Click for more )

As we come to the end of Acts 11, let's take time to consider how that young Church of Jesus Christ in Antioch was such a model fellowship, and an example for us today.

[list=1]Persecuted disciples of Jesus Christ make their home in Antioch and influence many in the community. They are so eager to hear The Word of God and receive teaching from those who were just a little bit further along the way than the others. They are open to the Holy Spirit - open to prophecy and a word of knowledge. There is an obedience to those in authority. These true believers are willing…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 11:26, these disciples of Jesus Christ were always talking about their Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ, and in Antioch they were first called Christians - 'little anointed ones' - 'little Christs'.

It is a peculiar fact today, that you can bring the name of Jesus Christ even into some Church meetings, and people can become embarrassed and uncomfortable. Not so in Antioch.

Their lives were so different from other people's lives, in so many ways. They were distinctly different - by their love - their joy - their compassion - their openness - the way they…  ( Click for more )

Acts 11:25. For a whole year, Barnabas and Saul (Paul) teach in that Church in Antioch. Many heard and received the teaching.

First - you hear about Jesus - you come to believe - then you need nourishing teaching which will build you up - and enable you to grow and mature.

The Church of Jesus Christ is where men of God teach the Word of God to the people of God. That is one reason why we in Nairn meet on Sundays and Wednesdays. We also meet to Worship - and Pray - and Fellowship.

There is a generation growing up in our land, which hardly knows…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 11:22, some were obviously wondering what was happening and going on up in Antioch, a city which had a reputation for sin! So they sent Barnabas - an excellent choice. He was the man who was always going around encouraging disciples. He was the man who interviewed and introduced the converted and anointed Saul of Tarsus to the fellowship in Jerusalem.

When Barnabas arrived in Antioch, he liked what he saw. What did he see? He saw the evidence of the Grace of God. He saw the love of Jesus Christ and the power of The Holy Spirit in the lives of those new believers…  ( Click for more )

Acts 11. Disciples of Jesus Christ had fled to Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch. They spoke to Jews to begin with, and then it opened up to Greeks, and they heard the good news about the Lord Jesus.

We do not come into all the truth right away - we are always learning - growing - developing - maturing. Some of these scattered disciples thought the message about Jesus was only for Jews - even though it was the Jews which had caused them to flee. Then, others came opening up the Gospel for all. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for you and for those around you - graciously…  ( Click for more )

We have reached Acts 11:19. Let's take time to review and see how The Word of God has been spreading so far.

Recapitulation can be an important aspect of education and learning and understanding.

There had been this most violent wave of persecution against The Church of Jesus Christ, and this caused The Church to grow, in various dimensions.

In these verses we learn some important principles. Saul, being confronted by the risen Jesus, spends these first three days praying and fasting, and receives ministry from a new friend, brother Ananias, and is given…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 11, Peter is answering the questions of the apostles and disciples back in Jerusalem who had been wondering whatever Peter had been up to in the home of a Roman Army Centurion, a Gentile, a non-Jew, in Caesarea. Peter takes time to explain exactly and precisely and calmly what actually happened, and he stuck to the facts. Just as we were Baptised in The Holy Spirit, at the very beginning on the day of Pentecost, so were these Gentiles, in Caesarea, with similar signs following - the same as we experienced.

If God was giving them the same gift as He gave us, who…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 11, the apostle Peter is having his ministry thoroughly examined because of what happened in the home of Cornelius. His fellow apostles back in Jerusalem did not know what actually happened, and it is always unwise to act on mere rumour. Always seek to get at the facts. Get at the truth. Truth is the actual state of affairs, as contrasted with rumour or false report, or myth, or legend. And the truth fits every situation. We can apply that to the whole of the Bible. None of us can afford to build our life upon rumour or myth or legend.

Peter helps these…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 10, Peter had learned to make Jesus head. Initiate nothing. Have we learned the lesson which can be difficult and challenging at times - to allow Jesus Christ the Lord to be Head of His Church!

Peter moved as God led, and not by his wishes or ideas or feelings. Peter had cultivated humility, and had made the decision that he would submit to God, and serve God, no matter what God asked of him.

In Jerusalem, there are those who want to examine everything. That is not always a bad thing. Take time to read what faced him - in Acts 11.

Where did you go? …  ( Click for more )

In Acts 10, both Peter and Cornelius experience God moving in a way neither of them ever thought they would ever experience and see and witness.

Visions lead to men from different backgrounds coming together. Obedience to the revelation of God leads to an outpouring of The Holy Spirit, and a breakdown of barriers and prejudices. While Peter is speaking in that Gentile home those listening to Peter's message are filled with the Holy Spirit. They speak in tongues, and they are baptised in water. Gentiles, people who are not Jews, are 'born again', and the basic essential…  ( Click for more )

Never compromise. Never dilute your doctrine. Never water down your message about God and Jesus Christ. Peter spoke powerfully and with specific essential content in the home of Cornelius, the Roman Centurion. Take time to read the full account of what happened, in Acts 10:34-48.

While Peter is speaking - in the middle of his message - the risen living ascended Jesus pours out The Holy Spirit upon all who are listening. This small group of Jewish believers, who accompanied Peter, are astonished and astounded. They are shocked, that Jesus Christ was pouring out The Holy…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 10:34, Peter begins to address all those who have gathered in the home of Roman Centurion, Cornelius. Do read this passage again. "I have just seen a great truth. God is no respecter of persons. God shows no favouritism." This is quite a transformation in Peter's thinking.

He goes on - and refers to the fear of God - which is a healthy fear. It is like fearing the dangerous traffic - having a healthy respect for fast-moving cars and lorries. If you ignore them or overlook their presence - you could get hurt. But at the same time you don't permit the fear to…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 10:23, we read of Peter and six fellow disciples of Jesus making their way the 20 miles or so from Joppa to Caesarea. Cornelius is waiting for Peter's arrival. He has gathered together all his relatives and friends. He is expecting something to happen. He believed that God is going to move and speak through Peter. Are people still looking for that and expecting that today?

As Peter goes into Cornelius's house Cornelius falls at Peter's feet. But Peter would NOT be worshipped, and he says, "Stand up. I am only a man."

We are NOT to worship men - or bow…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 10, Peter, and some brother disciples of Jesus are in the home of this Roman Centurion, Cornelius. God was dealing with both of these men, in different ways, to achieve different goals.

God was preparing two men who were poles apart, to come together. Cornelius had had a very real spiritual experience, and soon he is to have a mightier experience.

Cornelius and Peter each received a vision from The Lord Jesus Christ, and they both obeyed what God the Lord had said through that vision. For both, it was a hard thing Jesus was asking them to do.

Cornelius…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 10, three men are on their way to meet the apostle Peter, who is waiting before God in prayer, not realising what dramatic events are about to happen.

At that time, the Jews thought of everyone who was not a Jew as common or unclean. Peter had to unlearn what his theology and church and tradition had taught him. To unlearn is almost harder than learning something. This is seldom an easy thing to do.

Have we things to unlearn? Are we holding to prejudices from which God wishes to deliver us and set us free? The Holy Spirit falls upon Peter to perform a new work…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 10 we read of God sending an angel to Cornelius the Roman Army Officer, at the garrison Headquarters in Caesarea. Cornelius needs to meet Peter, and the angel informs Cornelius exactly where Peter can be found.

We have seen this in Chapter 9 - when we need help - ministry - we ask - we send for those whom we know can help. We let the pastors and elders or leaders know that their ministry is urgently required.

It was NOT God's job to let Peter know of the need in Caesarea. It is the job of Cornelius to obey God and send for Peter to come and minister.

When…  ( Click for more )

As we move on into Acts 10, please take time to read the biblical text. It is vitally important to feed regularly upon God's holy Word, and not just thoughts from the Scriptures.

Following the wave of persecution - following the amazing dealings of the risen and living Jesus with Saul of Tarsus - Peter sets out to travel around, visiting those disciples of Jesus who had experienced a sore traumatic costly time. Some would be and pained and wounded. Most would have questions. Emotions would be raw. There would be much to do. Many stories to hear. Many wounds requiring…  ( Click for more )