Paul’s second missionary journey once again begins from Antioch. The story takes us to the pointe at Antioch. The church and leadership there were naturally interested in taking the gospel beyond their walls and beyond their city. If the truth were told, the people there lived beyond the walls because they were from such diverse backgrounds. They had families in other parts of the world. Often their businesses were in other countries. Most were educated and had rich heritage from other countries. Their hearts were with others with whom they were bursting to share the good news of the gospel.
There are several lessons we can learn from the focus and diversity of the leadership of the church at Antioch. From the Pointe at Antioch, Christians today should:
- Be quick to support efforts to spread the gospel beyond your own walls. Where is your heart? Allow your treasure, your prayers, your energies, and your efforts to follow in the name of Christ.
- Christianity is filled with moments that are matters of opinion. Do not let those moments divide you, anger you, or even frustrate you. God will continue to work, and may well double your efforts if you disagree in love, rather than fight in bitterness.
- Maturity in Christ always means mentoring someone who is younger and weaker in the faith. While the adage, “No man is an island,” is correct, it is just as meaningful to say, “No one walks the Way alone.” Take someone with you on the Way. Show them the steps it takes to be successful. Faith and doctrine take better roots when they are shared instead of just read.
- The very nature of Christ and a purpose of the church is to break down the walls that divide us. Jesus prayed for the unity of the disciples. In Christ, there is no Jew nor Greek, no slave nor free, and no male nor female (Galatians 3:28).
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