Visible Grace

He was glad…Acts 11:23

After the execution of Stephen, Acts 7, the church was scattered, Acts 11:19. Their persecution did not stop them from preaching the gospel of the risen Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord, verse 21.

This is not surprising. For the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, Romans 1:16. We should never be surprised when people respond to the gospel. However, the news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they set out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch, verse 22. They wanted verification. This is natural. We often want proof. We often want evidence of conversion. But they were not ready for what Barnabas was going to see.

Verse 23: When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. Barnabas saw grace! He saw the grace of God. Seeing God’s grace made him glad. How does one see grace? Well, how does one see the wind? We witness what the Spirit of God does when He sheds the grace of God in the hearts of those who believe. That was the testimony of Barnabas.

But there is more. From Antioch Barnabas traveled to Tarsus to seek out Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch, verses 25 & 26.

This is the power of God’s grace. The one who held the coats of those who stoned Stephen, causing the scattering of the disciples to Antioch, is now a disciple making disciples of Christ Jesus! Disciples who are now being called Christians. So, we Christians, hundreds of years later, are glad. Glad that we can see the grace of God still transforming lives; making disciples who make disciples. Amen.