We were told in chapter 8 of how the Holy Spirit led the believers, who were scattered abroad by persecution, to announce the gospel wherever they went. For the most part, this was confined to the Jews, but some of these were bold enough to preach the glad tidings to the Grecians. The Lord blessed the Word and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. News of this work of God reached the ears of the assembly in Jerusalem, and they sent forth Barnabas, to go to Antioch, and see what was doing; who, when he came, and had seen so many trophies of the grace of God, rejoiced, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. It was good advice, and surely needed, not only for that day, but for us also.
Cleaving to the Lord, is abiding with Him. This good man, being full of the Holy Ghost, knew what was needed to keep the heart right. How important it is, in these days of much head knowledge, to maintain ourselves in the fresh enjoyment of the love of Christ, and to cleave to Him earnestly, diligently, with spiritual energy; as this word would here put before our souls.
At this time a great crowd was added unto the Lord. It was not through the apostles, but by means of those already saved, though not marked out here as being specially gifted. “The hand of the Lord was with them,” and that was the secret of their success. The love of Christ in their hearts, and desire for His glory, claimed others for Him.
Barnabas, good and kind and earnest and full of the Holy Ghost, seems to feel that the work is beyond him, and he goes away to Tarsus to bring Saul to help in this wonderful work of grace. They spent a whole year in Antioch teaching in that assembly. Barnabas had introduced Saul to the assembly at Jerusalem for their fellowship; now he gets his assistance as a teacher of the truth. It was here in Antioch that the disciples were first called distinctively “Christians,” a term which is adopted by the Spirit of God, and used to denote those who know redemption, and are thus the true followers of Christ. (1 Peter 4:1616Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. (1 Peter 4:16)). The word “disciple,” does not seem to be used in the epistles.
Interest in Jerusalem is stirred by prophets coming down, and one of them, Agabus, told of a great famine coming on the world, and this came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar and this led the disciples to do what they could to send relief to the brethren in Judea, which also they did, sending it to the elder brethren by Barnabas and Saul. This was some of the fruits of love, and a sweet acknowledgment of their debt of love to those by whom the gospel came to them (Rom. 15:2727It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. (Romans 15:27)).