SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 11:20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 22 News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.
OBSERVATION: God was keeping to his plan of reaching Gentiles, but it was new to the Jews of that day. How would the Gentiles fit in to the Jewish church. As the body of Jesus was being formed in a Jewish virgin, so the church was started among Jewish believers. Mary could no more contain the baby in her womb, than could the believing Jews contain the church. It was going to break out. It happened at Cornelius’ house in Acts 10 and now in the city of Antioch.
The evidence in Acts 10 was that the Gentiles spoke in other languages just like the Jews did on the day of Pentecost. Now, Barnabas sees evidence of the grace of God and knows that God is indeed working in their lives. The Bible does not tell us what the evidence was, but it was recognizable!
APPLICATION: Grace cannot be seen, but its evidence cannot be missed! If I am a recipient of God’s grace, everyone will soon know. The evidence will show in many ways.
PRAYER: Lord, I want my life to be full of evidence of Your Presence. May your characteristics be worked into my personality. May I become like You, Jesus. In Your Name I pray, Amen.
Pastor Leon
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