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Ray Stedman · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Stedman adds that Peter shows us "the way to answer arguments. Just tell what God has done. Recount the actions of God. When these men saw how God had acted, there was nothing further they could say. Peter silenced them by reminding them of the actions of God. That is where faith always rests. It rests on what God has done." (Acts 10:23-11:18 Life For All) Glorified God - Not Peter's careful recitation of the story, but the God Who sovereignly saves sinners from every tribe, every tongue, every people and every nation. Larkin on glorified God - Such praise usually occurs in Luke–Acts in response to a miracle or to news of the Gentile mission (Lk 5:25–26; 13:13; 18:43; compare Acts 2:20; Acts 13:48; 21:20; compare Lk 23:47) Glorified (1392)(doxazo from doxa = glory) in a secular sense means to cause to have a good opinion of someone (cf doxazo in Mt 6:2 = "honored", cf 1 Cor 12:26). In a spiritual sense as in this context it means to praise, honor or magnify God. These Jewish converts critical of Peter now clearly recognized the divine aspect of his "good deeds" in Caesarea and thus glorified God just as Jesus had prescribed in Mt 5:16+. (read Mt 9:8, 15:31, Mk 2:12, Lk 2:20, Lk 5:25, 26, Lk 7:16, Lk 13:13, Lk 17:15, Lk 18:43, Lk 23:47, Acts 4:21, Acts 13:48, Acts 21:20, Ro 15:6, Gal 1:24, 1 Pe 4:16, Rev 15:4, 1 Pe 2:12 = NON-BELIEVERS WILL GLORIFY GOD! NOTE HOW BELIEVERS CAN GLORIFY GOD WITHOUT SPEAKING! = 1 Cor 6:20) Jack Arnold observes that "Their prejudice gave way under the truth. These legalists began to glorify God because of Gentile salvation. One of the obvious marks of a legalist is his sadness of countenance, but here we have them glorifying God. Sadness was turned to joy, and that is the first step in freedom from the slavery of legalism." GOD'S GRACIOUS GIFT OF REPENTANCE Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also - Note that the critics did not just say God had granted salvation to Cornelius and his household to the Gentiles. By saying Gentiles they acknowledged that God had flung wide open the door of salvation to even non-Jews. The repentance that leads to life - Repentance is not a pre-condition as if a man must first by his will determine to repent before he can believe. This passage makes it clear that repentance is not self energized but Spirit energized (God has granted). Men cannot repent relying on their own natural state, for our natural state is adamantly, inveterately opposed to God. In Acts 3:26 Luke record that "God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways” which is an excellent description of repentance. In Acts 5:31) “He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." It was God's gift to Israel even as it is God's gift to the Gentiles. In Romans 2:4 Paul asks (rhetorically) "do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" In Paul's last letter he instructs Timothy to teach "with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,." (2 Ti 2:25) In short, repentance is a gift from God's gracious hand. Jack Arnold on repentance - Repentance, therefore, is a change of mind that leads to a change of heart that leads to a change of action and behavior. Repentance is to do an “about face” in attitude which will affect one’s life style and produce a hatred of sin. We have not preached the whole gospel if we have not preached repentance as well as believing in Christ for one to be truly saved. We must call upon men to repent, to surrender their minds and wills to Christ. This is absolutely necessary for reception of eternal life. The old children's hymn defines repentance this way: “Repentance is to leave The sins we loved before, And show that we in earnest grieve, By doing so no more.” Repentance (3341)(metanoia from meta = after + noéo = to understand) literally means "afterthought" or "to think after" and implies a change of mind. From the NT uses, it is clear that metanoia means however much more than merely a change of one's mind but also includes a complete change of heart, attitude, interest, and direction. Metanoia is a conversion in every sense of the word. Jesus' teaching clearly associated repentance as an intrinsic element of salvation when He declared "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (metanoeo), than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance (metanoia). (Luke 15:7) Bishop Ryle offers this descriptive definition of repentance… Repentance is a thorough change of man's natural heart, upon the subject of sin. We are all born in sin. We naturally love sin. We take to sin, as soon as we can act and think—just as the bird takes to flying, and the fish takes to swimming. There never was a child that required schooling or education in order to learn deceitfulness, selfishness, passion, self-will, gluttony, pride, and foolishness. These things are not picked up from bad companions, or gradually learned by a long course of tedious instruction. They spring up of themselves, even when boys and girls are brought up alone. The seeds of them are evidently the natural product of the heart. The aptitude of all children to these evil things is an unanswerable proof of the corruption and fall of man. Now when this heart of ours is changed by the Holy Spirit, when this natural love of sin is cast out, then takes place that change which the Word of God calls "repentance." The man in whom the change is wrought is said to "repent." (Repentance) (In another article
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Stedman says that "Antioch was a strategic city, the third largest in the Roman empire. It was noted all over the empire as a sports center. Chariot races were a specialty. If you have read Ben Hur, or have seen the movie, you know that it is in Antioch that Lew Wallace places the exciting chariot race which is the prominent feature of that novel....About five miles outside the city was the temple of Daphne, where sex was enthroned and worshipped through priestesses who were really religious prostitutes. "
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Stedman - The result of this first preaching was that a great many Gentile converts came to Christ. This news was a bit disconcerting to the disciples at Jerusalem. They did not know what to do about this movement of the Holy Spirit. Since they were themselves Jews, raised in the tradition that they were God's chosen people, you can imagine what happened. They never thought that God would move to reach the Gentile world and so they hardly knew what to make of it. When word came to them that Gentiles were becoming converts of Jesus Christ, they were utterly astounded. Were these real Christians? Was it possible that Gentiles could actually come to Christ just as a Jew could? These thoughts came to their minds. To settle the issue, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. What a great choice they made! Barnabas is a great individual. He had one of the largest hearts recorded in all of the New Testament. He did not come to attempt to control this new thrust by the Holy Spirit; he came down to investigate it, to see what God had been doing. (Acts 11:19-30 Expanding Horizons) And they sent Barnabas off to Antioch - Again we see the hand of providence. The Jews did not send just any man but a man named Barnabas, a man nicknamed "Son of Encouragement." Although Jewish by birth, he was not enmeshed in the legalism and traditions that dominated the lives of many of the Jews, even Jews who believed in Jesus. We first encounter Barnabas in Acts 4 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), 37and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. William
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Stedman - He gave them a message designed for a new church. It had just two points, but both are extremely important. He exhorted them first to remain faithful to the Lord. He did not say, "Look, you have started out in the Christian life, but there is so much more that you haven't yet received. You need a second blessing. There is a new crisis you haven't come to yet, a new provision from God still ahead that you haven't yet received. I want you to strive on now and seek that." He did not say anything like that. You hear that all too often today. But Barnabas was full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and he would not say a thing like that. What he said was, "Look, you have received the Lord. You have received therefore all that he is ever going to give you once you have received him. You have all there is; there is nothing more for him to give you. It is true you have not laid hold of it all yet. You need, through the years, to develop what you have. But there is nothing to be added. It is all there when you have received Jesus Christ." As Peter puts it, "His divine power has granted us [has granted us] all that pertains to life and godliness..." (2 Peter 1:3a RSV). You do not need anything else. So Barnabas says, "Remain faithful to what you have. Don't go after anything else. You don't need anything new. You have received the Holy Spirit, all that God will give you. You will never be able to use up what you already have, you will never run dry, never touch bottom, as you develop the resources in Christ already yours. Remain faithful to the Lord." But, second, do it intelligently and with purpose. "Remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose." The Greek here means, "according to a set plan." They were not simply to come to church and enjoy the fellowship, and the feelings of glory and excitement that knowing the Lord gave them. They were to remember that they needed to learn more of him. They had to seek the knowledge of God in Jesus Christ intelligently, through the Word of God. That is his provision. Already they had the Old Testament Scriptures which were full of Christ. And the New Testament Scriptures were gradually beginning to come into being. They were to gather and learn to understand what God was doing in Jesus Christ. They were to seek, and read, and study, because the Scriptures reveal Christ. That is what they needed to do. They did not need more beyond him; they needed to know more of him. So Barnabas exhorted them to work intelligently at learning about Jesus. That means reading the Scriptures. It means prayer, seeking his face, learning to pray all through the day in every situation. New Christians need to learn this more than anything else. That is why Barnabas so wisely instructed them along this line. You see, many Christians make a fatal mistake at this point. They come to Christ and enjoy the fellowship and excitement of being a Christian. At first they have their face fixed on Jesus, and it is wonderful. They sense immediately the joy that fills their heart as they come to know this glorious living Lord. But gradually their focus shifts. Instead of seeing Jesus they begin to look at themselves. They start examining how they are enjoying this relationship and how much it is doing for them. They start feeling of their feelings. Did you ever try to grope around inside and feel of your feelings? And, of course, they are like Peter, walking on the water, who, whenever he took his eyes off Jesus and put them on the circumstances, began to go down. This is the story of many, many young Christians. They fail to concentrate on the Lord, to find joy in him and to glory in his presence. They get all occupied with what the Lord does for them. They lose the sense of his presence and fail to seek his face. That is why they sink and oftentimes disappear for awhile from Christian fellowship. That is what Barnabas is trying to help them to avoid. He urges them to remain faithful to the Lord with a steadfast purpose. (Acts 11:19-30 Expanding Horizons) Giving Others A Push — by Anne Cetas Read: Acts 11:19-26 [He] encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. —Acts 11:23 When Jean was a teenager, she often walked through a park where she saw mothers sitting on benches and talking. Their toddlers sat on the swings, wanting someone to push them. “I gave them a push,” says Jean. “And you know what happens when you push a kid on a swing? Pretty soon he’s pumping, doing it himself. That’s what my role in life is—I’m there to give others a push.” Encouraging others along in life—that’s a worthy purpose. Joses, a godly man mentioned in the book of Acts, had that gift as well. In the days of the early church, he sold some land and gave the money to the church to use for the less fortunate (4:36-37). He also traveled with Paul on missionary journeys and preached the gospel (11:22-26; 13:1-4). You may know Joses as “Barnabas,” which is the name the apostles gave to the “Son of Encouragement.” When the Jerusalem church heard that people in Antioch were coming to know Jesus as Savior, they sent Barnabas because “he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (11:24). He “encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord” (v.23). Lord, I would be to others A cheering ray of light, Inspiring them with courage To climb some new-found height! —Bosch A little spark of encouragement can ignite great endeavors. Acts 11:24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. KJV Acts 11:24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. He was a good man Acts 24:16; 2 Samuel 18:27; Ps 37:23; 112:5; Proverbs 12:2; 13:22; 14:14; Matthew 12:35; Matthew 19:17; Luke 23:50; John 7:12; Romans 5:7 full of the Holy Spirit and of faith Acts 6:3,5,8; Romans 15:15 considerable numbers were brought to the Lord Acts 11:21; 5:14; 9:31 AN EXAMPLE TO BE IMITATED The writer of Hebrews encourages his readers (who were being tempted to go back under the law and Jewish traditions) in two passages to be imitators of godly examples... And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that (term of purpose/result) you will not be sluggish, but imitators (mimetes) of those who through faith (LIKE BARNABAS) and patience (makrothumia) inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:11-12+). Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God (THE GOSPEL) to you; and considering the result of their (MEN LIKE BARNABAS') conduct, imitate (present imperative = command to let this be your lifestyle!) their faith. (LIKE THE FAITH OF BARNABAS) (Hebrews 13:7+) Meditate on the life of this godly man Barnabas, asking God's Spirit to enable you to be an imitator of his life, which was in turn an imitation of the life of Jesus Christ while He was on earth. Here are all the passages that mention Barnabas - set aside some time to ponder them in context and purposefully, intentionally interrogating the text. Acts 4:36; Acts 9:27; Acts 11:22; Acts 11:30; Acts 12:25; Acts 13:1; Acts 13:2; Acts 13:7; Acts 13:42; Acts 13:43; Acts 13:46; Acts 13:50; Acts 14:12; Acts 14:14; Acts 14:20; Acts 15:2; Acts 15:12; Acts 15:22; Acts 15:25; Acts 15:35; Acts 15:36; Acts 15:37; Acts 15:39; 1 Co. 9:6; Gal. 2:1; Gal. 2:9; Gal. 2:13 THOUGHT - Other than reading the Bible itself, one of the most rewarding, fruitful things you can read is Christian biographies, which give you wonderful examples of how other saints lived out a Biblical life, as you see the highs and lows in their lives. Other than memorizing Scripture, this has been one of the most rewarding practices I have ever undertaken in the past 35 years. And of course the best place to begin is with the biographies of men and women in the Bible. So if you have never read a Christian biography, I challenge you to take some time away from Facebook, etc, instead substituting Barnabas' (Biblical) "Facebook" page which will challenge you, stimulate you and enable you to grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to Whom be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Pe 3:18). The Spirit of Truth will richly reward your living and holy sacrifice! Pastor Steven
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Stedman - I saw a wonderful incidence of this type at the meeting I spoke of in Southern California. The large home just off the UCLA campus had a sun porch that ran the length of the house. On the porch when I came in was a group of Christian World Liberation Front people who had set up an assembly line. They were all working diligently at producing something. I saw, hanging on a clothesline they had rigged up, a lot of blue denim work shirts. Then I saw that they were printing something in white paint on the backs of the shirts, using a silk-screen process. They were printing these words: I AM ANOTHER JESUS FREAK I understood then what had happened. On the Berkeley campus they had been witnessing for Christ. Others, observing them, called them "Jesus freaks." Freak, a common word in the hippy culture, denotes someone who is a devotee of a certain practice or power or drug. There are heroin freaks, speed freaks, and various other kinds of freaks. It means that someone is intimately associated with the subject of the label. So when they were heard witnessing about Jesus, they were called "Jesus freaks." These Christians were not offended in the least. They thought it was a great compliment. And now they parade the avenues with this proudly emblazoned across their backs: "I am another Jesus Freak." (Acts 11:19-30 Expanding Horizons) Gaebelein notes that "Antioch was famous for its readiness to jeer and call names; it was known by its witty epigrams.” Guzik on the name Christian - Christians was sort of like saying “Jesus-ites,” or “Jesus People,” describing the people associated with Jesus Christ. Boice thinks the idea was that they were called “Christ-ones.”. Also, soldiers under particular generals in the Roman army identifed themselves by their general’s name by adding ian to the end. A soldier under Caesar would call himself a Caesarian. Soldiers under Jesus Christ could be called Christians....Eusebius, the famous early church historian, described a believer named Sanctus from Lyons, France, who was tortured for Jesus. As they tortured him cruelly, they hoped to get him to say something evil or blasphemous. They asked his name, and he only replied, “I am a Christian.” “What nation do you belong to?” He answered, “I am a Christian.” “What city do you live in?” “I am a Christian.” His questioners began to get angry: “Are you a slave or a free man?” “I am a Christian” was his only reply. No matter what they asked about him, he only answered, “I am a Christian.” This made his torturers all the more determined to break him, but they could not, and he died with the words “I am a Christian” on his lips. (Eusebius, Church History)."
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Stedman on prophecy - Unfortunately this word, and therefore the gift of prophecy, have become associated only with the ability to predict the future. But that is not the primary meaning. Primarily it means, "to cause to shine." It is the ability to illuminate the Word of God and to make it shine. Peter speaks of this: "We have a more sure word of prophecy which shines as a light in a dark place..." (2 Peter 1:19 KJV). These were men who could take the Word of God, the Old Testament -- or who were given the words by the Holy Spirit of what became the New Testament, before it was written -- and could make it shine. They illuminated the darkness in people's lives with the truth of God. Occasionally they were also able to illuminate the future and that is done here. This is not the whole gift of prophecy but it is a part of it. (Acts 11:19-30 Expanding Horizons) Related Resources: What is a prophet in the Bible? Are there prophets in the church today? (Excerpt) - Are there true prophets today? If the purpose of a prophet was to reveal truth from God, why would we need prophets if we have the completed revelation from God in the Bible? If prophets were the “foundation” of the early church, are we still building the “foundation” today? Can God give someone a message to deliver to someone else? Absolutely! Does God reveal truth to someone in a supernatural way and enable that person to deliver that message to others? Absolutely! But is this the biblical gift of prophecy? No. Whatever the case, whenever a person claims to be speaking for God (the essence of prophecy) the key is to compare what is said with what the Bible says. If God were to speak through a person today, it would be in 100% complete agreement with what God has already said in the Bible. God does not contradict Himself. 1 John 4:1 instructs us, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21declares, “Do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good.” So, whether it is a “word from the Lord” or a supposed prophecy, our response should be the same. Compare what is said to what the Word of God says. If it contradicts the Bible, throw it out. If it agrees with the Bible, pray for wisdom and discernment as to how to apply the message (2 Timothy 3:16-17; James 1:5). Is God restoring the offices of apostle and prophet in the church today? Prophecy in the New Testament - Bob Utley In fairness, for another view from the perspective of the respected non-cessationist, Dr John Piper see The New Testament Gift of Prophecy - Definition, Theses and Suggestions Acts 11:28 One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. KJV Acts 11:28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. there would certainly be a great famine Genesis 41:30,31,38; 1 Kings 17:1-16; 2 Kings 8:1,2 the reign of Claudius Luke 2:1; 3:1 FAMINE FORETOLD One of them named Agabus stood up - While Luke does not specifically state where this prophecy was uttered, the words "stood up" (anistemi) suggest that this prophecy was uttered in the assembly of the disciples. Notice that the next verse speaks of what appears to be an almost "reflex response" by the disciples to offer aid, which would also suggest this utterance was in the gathering of the disciples. Luke mentions Agabus again in Acts 21:10-14+ "As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 1 1And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit (cf "by the Spirit" here in Acs 11:28) says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12 When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!” And began to indicate by the Spirit - This prophecy was initiated and enabled by the Holy Spirit in Agabus. The imperfect tense indicates Agabus continued to make this prophecy (possibly to other disciples who had not heard it originally).