What scriptural connections can be made between Acts 11:22 and the Great Commission? The Text in Focus “News of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.” (Acts 11:22) Hearing and Going—The Immediate Echo of “Go” • Matthew 28:19 records Jesus’ charge: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” • In Acts 11:22, the Jerusalem church literally hears and immediately goes—Barnabas is dispatched north to Antioch. • The pattern repeats the Great Commission rhythm: God’s people do not stay still once they hear of gospel progress; they move toward it to strengthen and expand it. Making Disciples, Not Mere Converts • Jesus’ Commission includes “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). • Barnabas arrives in Antioch and, according to Acts 11:23, “encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with heartfelt devotion.” He disciples, exhorting steady obedience. • This shows the Commission’s holistic scope—conversion followed by grounding in truth. “All Nations” Confirmed • Mark 16:15: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” • Antioch is a Gentile‐majority city. By sending Barnabas, the Jerusalem believers embrace the ethnic breadth Jesus proclaimed. • Acts 10–11 has just demonstrated Gentile inclusion through Cornelius; 11:22 displays the church’s quick alignment with that divine revelation. The Church as Sending Agency • The Commission is given to disciples collectively (Matthew 28:16-20). • Acts 11:22 shows the assembled church discerning and commissioning a worker—an early portrait of organized missionary sending. • Later, the same Antioch church mirrors this when it lays hands on Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:2-3), multiplying obedience to the same mandate. Barnabas—A Living Illustration of Great Commission Qualities • His nickname means “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36); encouragement is part of teaching disciples to obey. • “He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:24). Spirit‐filled labor is essential because Jesus promised, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). • His actions embody both the message and the manner Christ commanded. Key Takeaways for Today • When news of gospel advance reaches us, Scripture calls for an active response—praying, going, sending, or supporting. • Disciple-making involves encouragement toward continued faithfulness, not merely initial evangelism. • Ethnic and cultural lines never limit the scope of our obedience; the Antioch moment normalizes cross-cultural mission. • Local congregations remain central in discerning and dispatching workers, reflecting the Jerusalem model. |
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