in the beginning

The Church in Antioch

Acts 11:19 -26. Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 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. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 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. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

1) There isn't a best or most appropriate time to spread the word of God. The first Christians were dispered and converted under persecution.

2) God was with his disciplines and all who beared witness. These people did not have years and years of theological training or examintion, nor did they bicker about the most accurate theological interpretation.

3) The early Christians witnessed with their lives. Under persecution, the marks of discipleship isn't going to amount to the wealth of knowledge stored up, but to personal testimonies. Perhaps we should apply that even to peaceful circumstances.

NB: The ruins of the ancient city of Antioch resides in current day Turkey. Wikipedia calls it the cradle of gentile Christianity.