Digging Deeper – Persecution in the Suburbs
19 Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. 20 However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. 21 The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord. 22 When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. 24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. 26 When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.) 27 During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.) 29 So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. 30 This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.
Acts 11:19-30
PERSECUTION IN THE SUBURBS
North Star is experiencing some pretty impressive growth at the moment. In many ways, NSC mirrors the church at Antioch we just read about. For a church to grow—and not just numerically—it must have several key elements fueling that growth. This week, let’s take a look at what, and who, it takes to sustain a healthy “Antioch-like” church.
These elements include: Persecution (or trials), People, Place, Perspective, and Partnership.
Today’s Focus: Persecution
In the NW Cobb area of Atlanta, we do not experience the kind of persecution described in Acts 11—at least not yet. There has not been an all-out attack on Christians like the one that followed Stephen’s stoning. But that doesn’t mean our neighbors aren’t feeling the weight of life in ways that can feel like persecution.
Whether it’s job difficulties, marriage stress, physical infirmities, or psychological struggles, we live in a world filled with detours and difficulties. In reality, many in our own church family are walking through these very trials.
What did the believers who fled persecution do? They fled—and they shared. They sought safety, but they also shared the good news of Jesus wherever they went.
It sounds simple, doesn’t it? Yet we know it’s not always possible—or even biblical—to escape the heat of a fiery trial. More often than not, God’s will is for us to walk through the fire so our souls may be purified. Jesus promised we would have peace in trials because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).
Even so, we can flee spiritually. We can run to Jesus, our refuge, who offers rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28–30). But that rest is not an escape from mission. Those who fled Jerusalem went on to share the message of Christ. Some even crossed cultural lines, speaking to the Greeks—and revival broke out.
These persecuted believers didn’t hunker down in safety. They shared the hope within them—and God showed up.
So, when trials come, when persecution persists:
-
Flee to the One who is our peace.
-
Persevere through the storm.
-
When you see others suffering, come alongside them and point them to Jesus.
That is why we are in our own “Antioch” today.
Tomorrow, we’ll look at the second necessary element: People!
Quite simply, Dave Griffith loves getting to know Jesus better by studying His Word daily and is passionate about teaching his siblings in Christ how to study His Word as well. He is passionately in love and like with his helpmate, Jackie; and is most fulfilled when he is hanging with his 10 kids (3 of his, 2 of Jackie’s, 3 are married, 2 more spiritually adopted) and 9 grandkids. He is a small group leader and a men’s group leader. He is a serial entrepreneur owning or having owned numerous businesses. He also enjoys naps!