How does Acts 11:20 challenge our approach to cross-cultural evangelism? An Unlikely Mission Field “ But some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 11:20) Key Observations from Acts 11:20 • Ordinary believers—“some of them”—were the first to bridge ethnic lines, not apostles or formal missionaries. • They “began” to speak; it was an intentional, decisive action. • Their audience was “the Greeks,” a culturally different, previously unreached group. • The message remained unchanged: “the good news about the Lord Jesus.” • Antioch became a launch-pad for worldwide mission (Acts 13:1-3), showing lasting impact. Implications for Our Evangelistic Mindset • No cultural barrier is off-limits when the gospel is at stake (cf. Matthew 28:19). • Initiative belongs to believers, not merely church leadership. • The content of the gospel is non-negotiable; the context of delivery is flexible (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). • God often uses previously peripheral believers (“men from Cyprus and Cyrene”) to spearhead frontier work (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29). • The fruit of cross-cultural outreach enriches the whole church (Acts 11:26; 14:26-27). Practical Steps Toward Faithful Cross-Cultural Witness 1. Pray for eyes to see local “Antiochs”—diverse, strategic communities near us. 2. Cultivate genuine friendships across cultures: share meals, listen, learn. 3. Keep the message clear: sin, substitutionary death, resurrection, call to repent and believe (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). 4. Adjust methods, not the message—use heart languages, cultural illustrations, and varied meeting places. 5. Train everyday believers to share; empower them rather than waiting for specialists (Ephesians 4:11-12). 6. Celebrate multiethnic fellowship in the local church as a foretaste of Revelation 7:9. Strengthened by the Whole Counsel of Scripture • Jesus modeled cross-cultural ministry with the Samaritan woman (John 4:4-42). • Peter’s vision affirmed God’s acceptance of all peoples (Acts 10:34-35). • Paul’s Gentile mission flowed directly from Antioch’s example (Acts 13:2-3). • Scripture unites believers of every background into one body (Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:14-18). Acts 11:20 challenges us to move beyond comfort zones, trust the sufficiency of the unchanged gospel, and joyfully engage every culture God places before us. |
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