By the time we read this in Acts there has been a harvest unexpected in Samaria through the deacon's work, an Ethiopian has heard Isaiah explained that he might return to his country with Good News, Saul the hater of Christ and persecutor of the church has become the persecuted, Cornelius the first European convert has witnessed all at his house gathering baptized, Barnabas has been to Antioch in Syria which became a seedbed for far-ranging efforts. Look at what God hath wrought by His Spirit inspired, empowered, accompanied Word! The Word has continued to grow enrapturing more and more to its heavenly melody. It has multiplied and will yet more. For at this point in Acts, Luke has just told us that the Antioch Christians were different than those in Jerusalem. While some only spoke to Jews about the Messiah's coming, at Antioch a refreshing Gospel breeze was distilled in the air and wafted to the Gentiles, the Greeks, "men of Cyprus and Cyrene (God bless them), who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord." This was the beginning of something big. With chapter thirteen we begin to read of Paul's missionary journeys. In ever widening circles the enlivening Gospel breeze swept. |
