Acts 11

Acts 11:19

Acts 11:19

OF A Act_11:26 Franklin Camp, “ God’ s Definition of A Christian” , Old Truths In New Robes, p. 9

Introduction:

1. There is an old story about a young son asking his father, “ What is a Christian?” and the father tries to explain it to the young boy, who then asks, “ Have I ever seen one?” a. What does a Christian look like?
2. Let’ s look at what the disciples at Antioch did that warranted them being called Christians by the Lord. a. We will have a Biblical understanding of what a Christians should be, and we can see what he wants us to be.

Acts 11:19-21

1. A Christian is one that has heard the gospel and believed it. A. Why were there no Christians in Antioch prior to this time? Simply because there were not any that had heard the gospel and believed before this. B. Only those that believed the gospel became Christians - Acts 11:21. There were no more Christians in Antioch than there were people that believed the gospel. – What was true in Antioch is true in our community today. Acts 11:20
2. A Christian is one that is indebted to others. A. Someone had to bring the gospel to them. Acts 11:20 B. If those who came to Antioch had always stayed in Jerusalem there would have been no church in Antioch. C. If those who came to Antioch had remained silent there still would have been no church in Antioch. D. In every place where there is a congregation, the people that constitute that congregation are indebted to someone somewhere for bringing the gospel to that community. E. The people in Antioch should have been, and no doubt were, grateful to those who brought the gospel to them. F. We Should never forget those who have who have made it possible for us to have the gospel. Acts 11:20
3. A Christian is one that wants to share the gospel with others. A. Acts 11:20 B. This is one of the characteristics of Biblical Christianity. C. The Book of Acts is not just a book of conversions, but a book about people sharing the gospel with others. Think, who are the main characters? Though the principles of conversion are found in the book, this is because we see the church sharing the gospel with the lost. We have seen what to do to be saved, but not what is means to be saved. D. One that is not interested in sharing the gospel with others is not a Christian as defined by the Bible.

Acts 11:19 4. These Christians at Antioch were people who talked the Bible. A. Acts 11:19

1. Notice that what they talked about was Jesus Christ. B. The word translated preaching in the KJV is translated “ speaking” in the RV. The idea is that they simply talked, or their conversion was about the Word of God. C. We talk about each other, about politics, the weather but how often do we talk about the Bible? D. Even Christians, when together, very seldom discuss the Bible. Acts 11:19-20

5. A Christian is one that is not concerned about who get credit for good that is done. A. Acts 11:19-20.

1. The only name mentioned in this verse is Stephen and he was not among those that started the church in Antioch. B. Who started the church in Antioch? We don’ t know. No name is given. C. Yet this is the outstanding congregation in the Book of Acts. D. Is not the very silence of the Bible as to the names of those that started the church in Antioch a rebuke to preeminence loving brethren today? E. Really God got the credit for the beginning of the church in Antioch and he is the only one we should be concerned about getting credit anyway. F. These men may not have their names in the history books, but they have them in the Book of Life. Acts 11:23

6. A Christian is one with a supreme purpose. A. Acts 11:23 “ Who when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” B. There is power if a “ purpose.” There is power in knowing why you are living, and what you are living for. To have goals. C. The meaning of Mat 6:33 is not that one never does anything but attends services, but rather everything that he does contributes toward this end. D. This is the meaning of Paul’ s statement in 1 Corinthians 2:2. Everything related to this over-riding motive. E. Paul said, “This one thing I do” (Phil. 3:13). Not that Paul just did one thing, but everything he did was ruled by this principle. F. Our serving, and our giving is to be done with “ purpose.” G. Christ is the center of the Christian’ s life. Acts 11:23
7. A Christians is one who cleaves to the Lord. A. Acts 11:23 “ . . . that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” B. Though not the same word in the original, we have the same English word (cleave) in Matt. 19:5, in the context of the husband and wife cleaving together, and not forsaking one another.. C. A Christians is married to the Lord – Romans 7:1-4. D. Can’ t get divorce for any little old thing. Yet how many want to divorce the Lord for any little thing that happens. E. Marriage is for life, so is becoming a Christian. Taking on the name of the Lord. Acts 11:23
8. A Christian is one where the Grace of God is visible in his life. A. Read Acts 11:23 again. B. Barnabas may have wondered as to what effect Christianity had in the lives of the Gentiles. If so, when he saw their life he was convinced. C. Paul could see the effect of God’ s grace in the Macedonians – 2 Corinthians 8:1. Acts 11:24
9. A Christian is a good person. A. Barnabas among those named Christians at Antioch. B. A mean Christians is a contradiction of terms. There is no such thing. C. One cannot be a mean father, mother, son or daughter and be a Christian. D. One cannot be mean to his brethren and be a Christian. Think of the spirit of the elder brother in Luke 15. E. Yet how many treat their brethren about like the elder brother treated his brother, and still claim to be a Christian. Acts 11:26
10. A Christians is one who assembles with the church. A. The Christians at Antioch assembled – Acts 11:26. B. The Christians here in our community assemble three times each week. C. Much people were taught – are we teaching many? Acts 11:29
11. A Christian is one concerned about the welfare of his brethren. A. Acts 11:27-30 A famine, or dearth, affected the Judean brethren greatly. B. A Christian is willing to accept some responsibility in trying to help brethren who are in need. C. Notice the words – “ every man” – “ determined” – “according to his ability.” D. They did not seek to do as little as they could, but as much as they could. E. Many seem to think today that a Christian is one who does as little as he came. A Christians does not shirk responsibility.

1. Today, it seems that often the idea is, How little can I get by with?
2. We think of a line being drawn - if we cross over the line we’ re not a Christian, and we see how close we can walk to that line. Acts 11:26

12. A Christian is one who is in the Lord’ s church – Acts 11:26 A. There were no Christians in Antioch who were not members of the church. B. There were no Christians in Antioch that were members of any other church. C. “ I will give within mine house and within my walls . . . a name” – Isaiah 56:5. D. The church is God’ s house – God’ s family – 1 Timothy 3:15. Conclusion:
13. These are some characteristics of Biblical Christians, how do you measure up to them?
14. If someone were assigned to write down the characteristics of a Christian today, they followed your life, what would they be writing down about what a Christian is? a. How would they describe Christianity today, based on your life?
15. One more characteristic I would like to notice, and it comes again from v.19. “ Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.” a. Note the words “ scattered: and “ persecution” . b. They knew the value of being a Christian. It was worth any price. c. Compare this with what little things will cause Christians to quit today. d. Then you could not find anything that would cause them to quit; now just about anything will cause some to quit serving the Lord.

Acts 11:26

Acts 11:26 See Acts 11:19 for sermon on Characteristics of a Christian