Acts 11

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Acts 11 divides neatly into two halves. The story of Peter and Cornelius ends; the story of the church at Antioch begins. But these two halves provide a nice little study in contrasts, which can be quite instructive for our lives.

The Jewish believers criticize Peter for befriending the Gentiles, which is really a criticism of God who sent his Word and Spirit to them. Although the Jerusalem church ultimately accepted Peter’s explanation of God’s activity, one wonders how wholeheartedly they embraced their non-Jewish brothers and sisters. After all, as soon as the Spirit began to move in Antioch, where more Gentiles came to know Christ, the Jerusalem church sent an elder to investigate. Is it merely ironic that by the end of the chapter Agabus prophesies a famine in Jerusalem? Or is this possibly a consequence of their hard-heartedness? We can’t say for sure, but it certainly wouldn’t be the first time God disciplined faithless, unloving people in such a way. Just read the Old Testament.

So it’s at least possible that we see this downward spiral, this “doom loop,” at work in Jerusalem: criticism of the work of God, which begins to quench the Spirit’s vitality, which leads to further fear and suspicion toward Antioch, which squelches the blessing of God on Jerusalem resulting in famine.

But look at Antioch where the “fly wheel” begins moving (thanks, Jim Collins, for the metaphors!): Faithful disciples reach out with bold love to the Gentiles; God’s hand is with them and many people believe; new opportunities to serve bring dynamic new leaders (Barnabas and Saul); people continue to yield to God’s Spirit, growing rapidly and garnering the nickname “Christians;” when the needs of Jerusalem are presented, people spontaneously give to the further glory of God.

When you net it all out, Jerusalem stagnates, Antioch flourishes. And it all hinges on attitudes toward the Gospel: Are you skeptical, resentful, or critical of it? Or are you open, embracing, and enthusiastic about it?