BK ST Sep 19 song 78

Chapter 9
“God Is Not Partial”

“A Great Number . . . Became Believers” (Acts 11:19-26a)
     19 Did Jesus’ followers start preaching to uncircumcised Gentiles? Notice what happened later in Antioch of Syria.♦ This city had a large Jewish community, but there was little hostility between Jews and Gentiles. So Antioch offered a favorable atmosphere for preaching to Gentiles. It was here that some Jewish disciples began declaring the good news to “the Greek-speaking people.” (Acts 11:20) This preaching was directed not only to Greek-speaking Jews but also to uncircumcised Gentiles. Jehovah blessed the work, and “a great number . . . became believers.”—Acts 11:21.
19. Jewish Christians in Antioch began preaching to whom, and with what result?
♦ See the box “Antioch of Syria,” on page 73.
[Box on page 73]
ANTIOCH OF SYRIA
  Antioch of Syria was located on the river Orontes, about 18 miles [30 km] upstream from the Mediterranean seaport of Seleucia and some 350 miles [550 km] north of Jerusalem. (Acts 13:4) Seleucus I Nicator, first ruler of the Seleucid Empire, founded Antioch in 300 B.C.E. As the capital of that empire, Antioch soon acquired great importance. In 64 B.C.E., Roman General Pompey made Syria a Roman province, with Antioch as its capital. By the first century C.E., the metropolis ranked third in size and wealth among the cities of the Roman Empire, after Rome and Alexandria.
  Antioch was a commercial as well as a political center. The wares of all of Syria passed through it before being exported to the rest of the Mediterranean basin. “Since it was near the frontier between the settled Graeco-Roman area and the eastern states,” says one scholar, “it was even more cosmopolitan than most Hellenistic cities.” There was a large Jewish community in Antioch, and according to Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, they “made proselytes of a great many of the Greeks” who lived there.

(Acts 11:20) However, out of them there were some men of Cy′prus and Cy·re′ne that came to Antioch and began talking to the Greek-speaking people, declaring the good news of the Lord Jesus.
(Acts 11:21) Furthermore, the hand of Jehovah was with them, and a great number that became believers turned to the Lord.

     20 To care for this ripe field, the Jerusalem congregation sent Barnabas to Antioch. The thriving interest evidently was more than he could handle alone. Who was better suited to help out than Saul, who was to become the apostle to the nations? (Acts 9:15; Rom. 1:5) Would Barnabas see Saul as a rival? On the contrary, Barnabas showed due modesty. He took the initiative to go to Tarsus, look for Saul, and bring him back to Antioch to help. Together they spent a year building up the disciples in the congregation there.—Acts 11:22-26a.
     21 How can we show modesty in fulfilling our ministry? This quality involves acknowledging our limitations. We all have different strengths and abilities. For example, some may be effective in placing literature but have difficulty making return visits or starting Bible studies. If you would like to improve in some aspect of the ministry, why not ask for help? By taking such initiative, you may become more productive and reap greater joy in the ministry.—1 Cor. 9:26.
20, 21. How did Barnabas show due modesty, and how can we show similar modesty when fulfilling our ministry?

(Acts 9:15) But the Lord said to him: “Be on your way, because this man is a chosen vessel to me to bear my name to the nations as well as to kings and the sons of Israel.
(Romans 1:5) through whom we received undeserved kindness and an apostleship in order that there might be obedience of faith among all the nations respecting his name,
(Acts 11:22-26) The account about them got to the ears of the congregation that was in Jerusalem, and they sent out Bar′na·bas as far as Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the undeserved kindness of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all to continue in the Lord with hearty purpose; 24 for he was a good man and full of holy spirit and of faith. And a considerable crowd was added to the Lord. 25 So he went off to Tarsus to make a thorough search for Saul 26 and, after he found him, he brought him to Antioch. It thus came about that for a whole year they gathered together with them in the congregation and taught quite a crowd, and it was first in Antioch that the disciples were by divine providence called Christians.
(1 Corinthians 9:26) Therefore, the way I am running is not uncertainly; the way I am directing my blows is so as not to be striking the air;

Sending “a Relief Ministration” (Acts 11:26b-30)
     22 It was first in Antioch that “the disciples were by divine providence called Christians.” (Acts 11:26b) That God-approved name aptly describes those whose way of life is modeled on that of Christ. As people of the nations became Christians, did a bond of brotherhood form between Jewish and Gentile believers? Consider what happened when a great famine occurred about 46 C.E.♦ In ancient times, famines sorely affected the poor, who had neither reserves of money nor extra food. During this famine, the Jewish Christians living in Judea, many of whom apparently were poor, were in need of provisions. Learning of the need, the brothers in Antioch—including Gentile Christians—sent “a relief ministration” to the brothers in Judea. (Acts 11:29) What a genuine expression of brotherly love!
♦ The Jewish historian Josephus refers to this “great famine” during the reign of Emperor Claudius (41-54 C.E.).
     23 It is no different among God’s people today. When we learn that our brothers—in another land or in our own area—are in need, we willingly reach out to help them. Branch Committees quickly organize the formation of relief committees to look after our brothers who may be affected by natural disasters, including hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis. All such relief efforts demonstrate the genuineness of our brotherhood.—John 13:34, 35; 1 John 3:17.
22, 23. The brothers in Antioch made what expression of brotherly love, and how do God’s people today act similarly?

(Acts 11:26) and, after he found him, he brought him to Antioch. It thus came about that for a whole year they gathered together with them in the congregation and taught quite a crowd, and it was first in Antioch that the disciples were by divine providence called Christians.
(Acts 11:29) So those of the disciples determined, each of them according as anyone could afford it, to send a relief ministration to the brothers dwelling in Ju·de′a;
(John 13:34-35) I am giving YOU a new commandment, that YOU love one another; just as I have loved YOU, that YOU also love one another. 35 By this all will know that YOU are my disciples, if YOU have love among yourselves.”
(1 John 3:17) But whoever has this world’s means for supporting life and beholds his brother having need and yet shuts the door of his tender compassions upon him, in what way does the love of God remain in him?

     24 As true Christians, we take to heart the meaning of the vision that Peter received on the rooftop in Joppa over 1,900 years ago. We worship an impartial God. It is his will that we bear thorough witness about his Kingdom, which involves preaching to others regardless of their race, national origin, or social standing. Let us, then, be determined to give all who will listen an opportunity to respond to the good news.—Rom. 10:11-13.
24. How can we show that we take to heart the meaning of the vision that Peter received?

(Romans 10:11-13) For the Scripture says: “None that rests his faith on him will be disappointed.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for there is the same Lord over all, who is rich to all those calling upon him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.”