Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Word
“Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.” (Acts 13:1-2)
Meditation
Today’s meditation is written by Pastor Jeff Cloeter.
I love this short list of names in Acts 13:1-2. They reflect a diversity of people in the early church. Barnabas we know was a major player in the missionary journeys of Paul, although he and Paul would suffer a parting of ways.
“Simeon called Niger” had a Latin nickname that indicated his dark complexion. Lucius is another Latin name, common in the Roman world.
Manaen is the Greek form of a Hebrew word meaning “comforter.” Maneaen is described as a “lifelong friend” of Herod the tetrarch. Some translations say “foster brother.” Herod the tetrarch was the youngest son of ruthless Herod the Great. The younger Herod was famous for beheading John the Baptist. Think about this. Of these two childhood friends, one was a notorious tyrant and the other a leader in the Christian church!
The list of names reveals a growing diversity in the early Christian church. The Christian movement was not monolithic. It did not remain culturally and ethnically Jewish. In the spirit of the first Pentecost, and by the Holy Spirit, it quickly jumped racial, cultural, and language barriers. There was Roman Lucius and dark-skinned Simeon. And there was Saul, the “Hebrew of Hebrews.” There was Manaen of the royal society of Herod, and Peter the labor class fisherman.
Diversity gives greater credence to what we hold in common, one Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If the church was merely a cultural by-product, it could be explained away as a human institution, a construct of social forces.
The ethnic diversity of the church is proof of its power, or rather the power of the One who is the church’s Head. Who else could bind together such a wildly divergent crowd of people? Jesus alone. His mission from the start was for “all nations” (Matt. 28:19-20) and “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Thank God, we are included in his mission.
How can you grow this week in understanding someone different than you? Can you get to know a Christian who is radically different from you? A Simeon, Lucius, or a Manaen?
Prayer: Lord of the Church, help me to see the beauty of the worldwide church. Connect me to brothers and sisters who are different from me. Teach me more about you through them. In your name, Amen.
For the Worldwide Church
- For unity of the one, holy, Christian church. Across borders, languages, colors, and denominations.
- Rebuke the church where she has strayed: Where divided, misguided, in error, or in poor witness. Judge and forgive us.
- Judge and eradicate Christian hypocrisy. Remove false teaching that leads people away from the truth. Make us humble and repentant.
- For Christians in places where they are persecuted or in minority. For boldness, strength, and provision where their lives are at risk for the sake of the gospel.
- For reconciliation where there is division in the Christian church.
Benediction
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Amen. (Rom. 15:13)