How does Acts 11:26 connect with Jesus' Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? Setting the Scene - Acts 11 records the gospel moving beyond Jerusalem into Gentile territory, fulfilling the outward thrust foretold in Acts 1:8. - Matthew 28:19-20 is Jesus’ final directive to His followers: “go…make disciples of all nations…baptizing…teaching.” - Acts 11:26 captures a snapshot of that directive coming to life in Antioch. Key Passages - Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - Acts 11:26: “and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a full year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” Direct Connections - Going to the nations → Antioch, a strategic Gentile city, becomes a hub for outreach. - Making disciples → Barnabas and Saul devote a whole year to intentional, sustained teaching. - Teaching to obey → The focus in Antioch is “met with the church and taught great numbers,” mirroring Jesus’ instruction. - New identity in Christ → The term “Christians” emerges, showing discipleship has produced recognizable followers of Jesus. - Ongoing presence of Christ → The success in Antioch testifies that the risen Lord truly is “with you always.” Components of the Great Commission Reflected in Antioch 1. Extending Reach • Acts 11 follows Peter’s report of the Gentile conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10). • Antioch embodies “all nations,” showcasing the widening circle Jesus intended. 2. Making and Marking Disciples • Baptism is implied by church formation (cf. Acts 2:41). • Discipleship is explicit: “taught great numbers of people.” 3. Teaching Obedience • Barnabas and Saul do not offer a one-time message but year-long instruction—consistent, doctrinal, life-shaping (cf. Acts 2:42). 4. Producing a Distinct Community • The new label “Christians” shows that obedient learners take on Christ’s name and character (cf. 1 Peter 4:16). 5. Empowered Presence • The flourishing in Antioch demonstrates Christ’s promised presence, echoed later by the Spirit’s guidance in sending missionaries from the same church (Acts 13:1-3). Implications for Us Today - The Great Commission is not merely an evangelistic event; it is ongoing relational discipling. - Teaching, doctrine, and community life remain central to Christian identity. - Naming Christ openly—being known as “Christian”—flows from faithful obedience and consistent instruction. - Every local church, like Antioch, can be a launchpad to the nations when it embraces Jesus’ full mandate: go, baptize, teach, and trust His abiding presence. |
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