Rebirth International

Acts 11 - A little heaven on earth!

Posted on August 20th, 2008 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.

In the first book of the Bible, God’s stated redemptive plan was - “to bless all the nations.” In the last book of the Bible, a vision is given of persons from every nation, tribe and tongue gathered around Him in united worship. Jesus’ final prayer for us was that we might be one. When we are we invite a little heaven to earth.

Human kings, prime ministers and presidents will be shoulder to shoulder with the poor, the unpolished and the vagrant (that would be me) - eyes fixed on Christ, loud praise and uninhibited joy from the lips of even Presbyterians!

In chapter 11 of Acts we see the spirit of God’s mission fulfilled in a small way. And we, some 2,000 years later, have the privilege to build upon what was accomplished there.

What happened at Antioch was a big redemptive WOW! The event was unprecedented in prior history and was a milestone of the Spirit’s new work. What was the big deal? The big wow was the simple fact that Jews and Gentiles were allying themselves in common worship, teaching and mission. In so doing, not only did they break a well-established social contract, they witnessed fulfillment of God’s original plan in their midst, and experienced a foretaste of God’s eschatalogical dream.

Up to that point, the movement of which we are a part, was called The Way - a name that never quite caught on. Though we called ourselves members of The Way - the world would have utilized a different word to describe us. They would have called us Jews.

You see, up to that point, we were perceived as a Jewish sect - and that is what we were. Because we were Jews ministering to Jews. But at Antioch a radical change occurred. Jews and Gentiles became one - forming a new bond in Christ.

There was another closely related historical event at Antioch. It was in Antioch that we were first called Christians. “Why?” - you might ask. Not because of what some well-intentioned exegetes have suggested - that we had become like “little Christs.” That’s not it - that’s not even close.

You see, we were called Christians, because at Antioch our movement lost its ethnic identity and distinction. We could no longer be called Jews because we were half-Gentile. But we also were not exclusively Greeks, Romans, Egyptians or Africans. So what was the world to call us?

As the world looked at this new development - this multi-ethnic movement - they gave us a new name. They called us Christians! At Antioch we became a new race. A race from all the races who were united in Christ as a new humanity - thus the theology of Paul in Ephesians 2.

And when we assemble, because of our common belief in Christ and our commitment to His ongoing mission, we have the unique opportunity not only to add to the legacy begun at Antioch but also to taste what is to come.

Those who spend a lifetime worshiping in a racially monochrome, monolithic, mono-cultural church, miss the greatest opportunity we have on this side of the Jordan - to bring a little heaven to earth.

I’m excited to be pastoring Centerpoint Church, which intends through its mission of outreach to reflect the full racial, cultural and socio-economic composition of the city. I’m telling ya…I haven’t been there long, but I’m excited about the challenge and the reward of being there, laboring for His Kingdom to come!

I hope you will pray with me toward that end.

1 comment.