Saint Jerome observed that while secular empires expand through violence, the early church grew through suffering:
“The Church of Christ has been founded by shedding its own blood, not that of others; by enduring outrage, not by inflicting it. Persecutions have made it grow; martyrdoms have crowned it.”
The early believers are the ultimate example of how witnessing—even in the face of intense suffering—fuels the spread of the Gospel. After Stephen’s death, the church scattered. Yet, rather than hiding in fear, they carried their faith with them. Wherever they fled, they boldly proclaimed God’s word in the power of the Holy Spirit.
“The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord” (Acts 11:21).
The early church was undeniably messy. With various theological ideas circulating into the second and third centuries, the leaders in Jerusalem needed to send a trusted representative to ensure these new communities were truly following the Lord’s direction. They chose Barnabas, and he was thrilled by what he discovered.
“When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion” (Acts 11:23).
According to the Jewish historian Josephus, Antioch was the third most important city in the Roman Empire. Recognizing the strategic value of this thriving hub, Barnabas sought out Saul (Paul) and brought him to the city, where they ministered together for a full year.
“Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch” (Acts 11:25-26).
Working Together
Around 47 AD, the Nile River flooded, destroying crops and triggering a severe famine across the region. But before disaster struck, God sent a prophet named Agabus—guided by the Holy Spirit—to warn the church so they could prepare.
Because many followers of Jesus in Jerusalem were poor, they were highly vulnerable to the coming famine. In response to Agabus’s prophecy, the newly formed church in Antioch made a decision: they collected funds, primarily from Gentile believers, to send relief to the church in Jerusalem.
“The disciples determined that, according to their ability, each would send relief to the brothers and sisters living in Judea; this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul” (Acts 11:29-30).
These Gentile believers had been deeply blessed by the rich spiritual heritage of the Jewish people and, most importantly, by a Jewish Messiah. Now, they had the opportunity to return that blessing. They generously provided the funds needed to help their Jewish brothers and sisters survive a desperately difficult time.
Overcoming the Devil’s Schemes
History shows us the devastating cost of division. The Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648) stands as a tragic reminder of what happens when the church fractures. As German Protestants and French Catholics fought for dominance, an estimated 4.5 to 8 million people lost their lives. We can only imagine the devil’s joy as Christians killed fellow Christians over doctrine, politics, and power.
Rather than falling for the enemy’s schemes of division, we must learn from the early church. They faced their own cultural and theological divides. Throughout the Book of Acts, we see Jewish and Gentile Christians doing the hard, messy work of bridging their differences. Ultimately, both groups chose to serve one another for God’s glory.
May we have the grace to do the same today.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I sat down today to discuss the powerful lessons of Acts 11:19-30. You can watch our conversation on YouTube below!
