This past week, I had the privilege of attending a church revitalization conference. One of the speakers, Dr. Iorg, president of Gateway Seminary briefly mentioned the unknown men who spread the Gospel following Stephen’s death and persecution in Acts 11. If you have ever felt forgotten or invisible this post is for you! Scripture is from Berean Standard Bible available online https://biblehub.com/bsb . Images generated using Night Cafe Studio and Canva Pro. For a substantial list of the unnamed:
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-men-bible/Great-Host-Unnamed-Bible-Men
We find ourselves alone and feeling insignificant when serving in difficult or lonely places. One wonders if anyone will remember.
Those whose names aren’t recorded
Consider that there are numerous individuals in the New Testament who served Jesus, God, and others, but there names weren’t recorded in the Gospels. For our first example, when Jesus comes to Jerusalem for His Palm Sunday entrance to begin His Passion Week,
The Triumphal Entry
(Zechariah 9:9–13; Matthew 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–11; John 12:12–19)
28After Jesus had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
29As He approached Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, He sent out two of His disciples, 30saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”
32So those who were sent went out and found it just as Jesus had told them. 33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked, “Why are you untying the colt?”
34“The Lord needs it,” they answered. 35Then they led the colt to Jesus, threw their cloaks over it, and put Jesus on it.
The owners provide Jesus with the colt (young donkey). This fulfills a Messianic Prophecy, but we don’t know who had this honor. Luke doesn’t give us the name of the widow in Luke 21:1-4. What about the man who provides the upper room for the Last Supper (Luke 22:10-13)?
Blessed are those who bring the Good News with them as they travel along the pathways of life.
Men who first bring the Gospel to Gentiles at Antioch
Acts 11:19-21
The Church at Antioch
19Meanwhile those scattered by the persecution that began with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message only to Jews. 20But some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
For around ten years the church in Jerusalem didn’t spread the Gospel beyond Samaria and Israel. This link will take you to a helpful timeline.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/pnt/pnt02.cfm
Verse by verse commentary on Acts 11
It takes the persecution that began with Stephen’s stoning to start the Gospel moving to other areas. Consider the context of Acts 10 and 11, Luke explains how the Gospel goes to Caesarea and Cornelius (Gentiles). Recall the Great Commission of Matthew 28:
The Great Commission
(Mark 16:14–18)
16Meanwhile, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated. 17When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted.
18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Why doesn’t Luke mention the names of the men who “planted” the church at Antioch? Antioch is one of the most important churches in Acts! Antioch takes up an important offering: Acts 11:27-30
27In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted through the Spirit that a great famine would sweep across the whole world. (This happened under Claudius.) 29So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30This they did, sending their gifts to the elders with Barnabas and Saul.
The famine–other sources
https://www.biblehistory.net/newsletter/acts11_famine.htm
Consider that it’s Antioch who sends out Paul and Barnabas on the their missionary journeys (Acts 13 and later Acts 15). If you read the book of Acts, it’s obvious that there are conflicts and difficulties! Peter is questioned on why he proclaims the Gospel to Cornelius and makes his report in Acts 11:1-18. Paul later reports on his missionary results and the issue of circumcision in Acts 15. Paul and Barnabas have a major disagreement resulting in a “split.” Luke explains: Acts 15:36-41
36Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.” 37Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark. 38But Paul thought it best not to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.
39Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
The young missionary prays over the valley for the families and those he will encounter in his journey.
God uses the unknown and insignificant
Hebrews Chapter 11 closes with the author reminding us that there were many men and women of faith whom God works through:
32And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.
35Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused their release, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
37They were stoned, they were sawed in two,f they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated. 38The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground.
When we serve in places or roles wherein others don’t see, hear, or recognize us, we might feel insignificant. Consider the numerous pastors, deacons, and small rural congregations who gather to worship with less than twenty people in attendance faithfully. What about the faithful members who give, serve, and pray for God to increase their numbers but over years watch the numbers steadily decline. What about those who are faithful, but consistently passed over, ignored, and rejected? This is the reality for many serving in ministry, missions, education, and other worthy kingdom endeavors.
It’s a struggle to write quality articles/posts and when few people read them. It’s difficult to create meaningful, quality posts when they are consistently ignored and few if any responses. I’ve wrestled with this issue for the past years. The discouragement and frustration are consistent.
Our journey of faith is a race. Are you running it well? Stock Photo from Canva Pro.
What Matters?
The author of Hebrews answers this vital question: 3 things
A Call to Endurance
(2 Timothy 2:1–13)
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.
1st, Run the race with endurance–meaning that we pace ourselves and keep moving ahead–always progressing and moving forward.
2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2nd, stay focused on Christ who created our faith and completes our faith! Colossians 3:1-4
3Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
3rd, consider (Literally in Greek contemplate) Jesus’ example for us. Focusing on Christ’s suffering and perseverance keeps us from growing weary and losing heart.
May God give us the courage, hope, and vision to finish strong!
Words of Grace & Hope 