And They Were Called Christians

The Daily Prayer of the Church continues with the Acts of the Apostles and the story of the infancy of the Church:

 

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they associated with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians’.

 

At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine over all the world; and this took place during the reign of Claudius. The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea; this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:19-30).

 

“It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians’.”  Antioch was founded near the end of the 4th century BC by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great’s generals. Antioch’s geographic, military and economic location, particularly the spice trade, the Silk Road, the Persian Royal Road, benefited its occupants, and eventually it rivaled Alexandria as the chief city of the Near East and as the main center of Hellenistic Judaism.  As a result of its longevity and the pivotal role it played in the emergence of both Hellenistic Judaism and Early Christianity, Antioch was called “the cradle of Christianity.” It was once a great metropolis of 500,000 people, but its significance declined during the Middle Ages because of repeated earthquakes, the Crusaders’ invasions, and a change in trade routes following the Mongol conquests, which then no longer passed through Antioch from the far east.

 

Notice that when there was a famine, the “Christians” decided that they would send relief to the believers living in Judea.  They decided to help their brothers and sisters in need.  This was a hallmark of the “Christians”—they helped those who were in need.  You and I should follow the example that they set for us nearly 2000 years ago.

 

Let us pray:  Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

Paint to the Music: the week of 25 July from 10 am to 1 pm at Bright-Davies Hall, the Art Room.

 

Contemporary Moral Issues: 11:00 a.m. on Sundays.  We will do foundational work for the first 2 weeks and then discuss moral issues by topic.

 

The Seaside Seniors will meet this Thursday for lunch starting at 11:00 a.m. and then there will be dancing from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday evening.

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550