Acts 11:23

Who when hee came, and had seene the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleaue vnto the Lord. Acts 11:23 (KJV)

This verse is part of the narrative in the book of Acts that describes the growth and spread of the early Christian Church after Jesus’ ascension, focusing on the believers in Antioch. It follows the account in Acts 10 where Peter received a vision that instructed him to disregard the distinction between clean and unclean animals, a picture of the breaking down of ethnic barriers. As a result Peter preached the gospel to the Gentile centurion Cornelius and his household, and they received the Holy Spirit, demonstrating that God’s salvation was not exclusive to the Jewish people.

Barnabas, a significant figure in the early Church, traveled to Antioch after hearing the news of the Gentile believers. There he saw how God’s grace was at work among both Jewish and Gentile believers. He was overjoyed at this inclusive work of God, recognizing that the grace of God extended beyond the Jewish people. This realization brought him great happiness and strengthened his faith in God’s inclusive plan for salvation.

Motivated by what he had seen, Barnabas exhorted the believers in Antioch to remain steadfast and committed to the Lord. He urged them to cleave to the Lord with “purpose of heart,” to continue in the grace of the Lord with all their hearts, and to hold fast to a sincere and determined devotion. He emphasized that wholehearted devotion was crucial for their spiritual growth and their journey with Christ.

For contemporary believers, Acts 11:23 reminds us of the boundless grace of God, which is available to all people regardless of background or ethnicity. It calls us to rejoice in God’s work in the lives of others, to actively support and exhort fellow believers, and to maintain a purposeful, committed relationship with the Lord. By following Jesus with wholehearted devotion, we hold firm to our faith and seek to grow in our devotion to Him.