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missionary work

Acts 11:19-30 (JDV)

Acts 11:19 Now those who had been scattered as a result of the trouble that started because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.
Acts 11:20 But there were some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.
Acts 11:21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.
Acts 11:22 News about them reached the congregation in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel as far as Antioch.
Acts 11:23 When he arrived and saw the favor of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts,
Acts 11:24 because he was a good man, full of the Sacred Breath and of faith. And large numbers of people were added to the Lord.
Acts 11:25 Then he went to Tarsus to search for Saul,
Acts 11:26 and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the congregation and taught large numbers. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
Acts 11:27 In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
Acts 11:28 One of them, named Agabus, got up and predicted by the Breath that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world. This took place during the reign of Claudius.
Acts 11:29 Each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers and sisters who resided in Judea.
Acts 11:30 They did this, sending it to the elders by means of Barnabas and Saul.

missionary work

The elements of missionary work are highlighted in this passage.

• Notice the cross-cultural evangelism (19-21);
• the encouraging exhortation of the new believers in Antioch by Barnabus (22-24);
• the comprehensive instruction from Barnabas and Saul (25-26);
• and the fund-raising for disaster relief (27-30).

All over the planet there are places where these ministries are needed. God is still calling people to do these things. The era of the missionary is not over. It will not be over until the Lord we proclaim returns.

Lord, show us where we fit in to your mission to rescue this planet.

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