The Holy Spirit Working Through the Scattered Church: First Called Christians 11AM

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! This Sunday we will be engaging with Acts 11. In this chapter we see the ‘scattered’ church at work through the power of the Spirit. During the first part of the chapter Peter gives his testimony about what happened with Cornelius and his family. He gives his explanation about the vision he had, how three messengers from the Centurion come to fetch him as their leader had been visited by an angel. Peter goes over the fact that this Gentile leader, his family and friends were all given the gift of the Holy Spirit upon their conversion.

The followers of Jesus celebrate, upon receiving the Good News. We are then given a description of the Church in Antioch and how the Holy Spirit causes that church to grow strong under the leadership of Barnabas and Saul (Paul). It is in this place that followers of Jesus are first called “Christians.”

As you read this text, be reminded of the powerful truth that Jesus is Lord of the Church and the Holy Spirit empowers the Church to do the work of service, proclamation, and evangelism.