The Acts of the Apostles reports on the continuing expansion of the believers in Jesus until they eventually reached the major city in the Eastern part of the Roman Empire, Antioch. Antioch was very cosmopolitan, many races, peoples and languages mixing together. Entering into that atmosphere caused the believers to re-think who they were. No longer did they consider themselves as a branch of Judaism but as something wholly new. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians. What those first believers were able to convey was that, no matter who you were, you could belong. That is our challenge in creating a culture of evangelization. We need to shift the paradigm that priortized knowing the articles of faith to instead stressing that all are welcome, that you bring yourself as you are in becoming a disciple. You need to feel you are one of the sheep before you can hear the shepherd’s voice.
MAY22023
By Church Staff
