How does Acts 11:19 connect with Jesus' command in Matthew 28:19-20? Setting the Scene: Two Mission Statements Side by Side “Meanwhile, those scattered by the persecution that began with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word only to Jews.” “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, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Scattering That Serves the Savior’s Plan • Jesus said “Go”; persecution made the early believers “go.” • What looked like chaos (Acts 8:1, 4) became God’s catalyst for carrying the gospel beyond Jerusalem. • Their travel routes (Phoenicia, Cyprus, Antioch) trace the first steady penetration of Gentile regions, inching toward “all nations.” Parallels Between the Scattered Saints and the Sent Disciples 1. Scope • Matthew 28: “all nations.” • Acts 11:19: believers cross borders—Phoenician coastline, an island, a Syrian metropolis. 2. Message • Matthew 28: “make disciples… teaching them to obey.” • Acts 11:19: “speaking the word,” the seed that produces disciples (Romans 10:17). 3. Method • Matthew 28: baptizing and teaching require personal contact. • Acts 11:19: ordinary believers share face-to-face as they relocate. 4. Promise & Power • Matthew 28: “I am with you always.” • Acts 1:8 fulfilled: “You will receive power… you will be My witnesses.” The Spirit’s presence travels with them. God’s Sovereign Strategy in Persecution • Acts 8:1 shows persecution scattering “all except the apostles,” proving evangelism is not reserved for leaders. • Romans 8:28 underlines how God weaves hardship into His redemptive plan. • 2 Timothy 2:9 reminds us, “the word of God is not bound.” When believers are bound—or bounced out—the word keeps moving. Why Antioch Matters • Antioch becomes the first major Gentile church (Acts 11:20-26). • It turns into the launchpad for Paul’s missionary journeys (Acts 13:1-3), multiplying obedience to the Great Commission. • The name “Christian” is first coined there (Acts 11:26), signaling a distinct, trans-cultural identity born out of Matthew 28 living. Implications for Us Today • Opposition or relocation can be God’s vehicle for advancing the gospel in fresh places. • Every believer, not just formal missionaries, is part of the mission—just like the unnamed disciples of Acts 11:19. • Staying faithful to Jesus’ words in Matthew 28 keeps us alert to opportunities hidden inside disruptions. • The same promise of Christ’s presence that steadied the scattered church steadies us as we carry the word across streets, cities, and continents. |
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