With Purpose of Heart

 June 10, 2025- Meditational Bible Study Lesson from Acts 11 KJV

For:  Mithcah Bible Baptist Church- Bahrain 

Online Morning Group Bible Study and Prayer Fellowship June 11, 2025

 

21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.”

 

Lesson: With Purpose of Heart 

(they would cleave unto the LORD)
 

In Acts 11:1-18, the message from this passage is clear: there should not be contention nor forbidding from among the believers of CHRIST; for nothing is able to stop what GOD instructed to do to whomsoever He called to go.
And nobody should be deprived of the salvation of souls which CHRIST has given His life on the cross; for He died once and for all; whether he or she be Gentile of Jew.

As Apostle Peter reasoned out to those contending Jewish beleivers:

“[17] Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
[18] When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”

We can’t withstand GOD; for whatsoever He foretold, it will come to happen if He lovingly said so.

 

This book of Acts is a story of how the salvation of GOD was extended to the Gentiles from the Jews.
Acts 11:19-26 KJV -
19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Trivia: The disciples of JESUS: the church of CHRIST was first called Christian in Antioch.

From that day Stephen was stoned, the persecution for CHRIST’s believers has been intensely and grievously pursued, that they fled abroad. 

But their dispersion didn’t stop them from spreading the cause of JESUS.
The harder they were being persecuted, the more they grow in number.
For the LORD was with them wherever they went. 
A great reminder for each of us believers: sometimes GOD’s grace disguises in troubles, heartache and difficulties. For His presence and power is revealed in unbearable sufferings. We must take these seriously as the first called out assembly: the churches have been through. 

• Persecution sometimes is GOD’s way to propagate the gospel of salvation. 

• Preaching and teaching of GOD’s words will continue through us through believers whether we are willing or not. 

• Prayers of faith, whether you are saved or not is heard by GOD; and He will speak in His very own way for you to know Him: The True and Living GOD; if you are willing to follow His command.

• Provision for the furtherance of His Gospel is GOD’s concern; therefore, we do not need to worry of the many questions of how, what, where and when GOD’s providential grace will be sustained.
Therefore, when facing persecution, keep in mind the preaching of GOD’s words, and the prayer of faith is powerful enough to direct GOD’s provision. So, do not be disheartened. GOD’s promise still works nowadays.

 

Acts 11:27-30 KJV - 27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar.
29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judæa:
30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Then, this was written for us to know, that from the disciples of CHRIST during their time, stood up a prophet named Agabus; prompted by the HOLY SPIRIT to warn people about the coming famine. Convicted by the HOLY GHOST, they contributed relief to help who are in Judaea; theysent, by the elders of the churches, carried by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Thoughts from these passages:

•  Conviction to give is innate to every believer upon learning about the urgent needs. It is the work of The HOLY SPIRIT who in the heart of all true believers indwell. v.29

•    Calling in the service of the LORD started in giving oneself and the availability to be a courier of relief. Saul went back to Judaea with Barnabas carrying relief, instead of the rulers’ most expected report from him, for his supposed-to-be mission accomplished,persecuting Christian, the which he got theorder letter from the Pharisees.v.30

• Church should be mission- minded. It should be a living organism that is contagiously spreading the love of CHRIST to them who are not yet among the household of faith. Its advocacy is to proclaim the gospel to everyone who should know it. It is also the nourishing home of the hurting and broken in spirit people, So let us avoid contention, but continue to grow in faith, so that all who are around us will be magnetized and will also come to accept, believe and cleave to CHRIST. 

Let us also be encourage that giving of support to the churches and missions are GOD’s instrument to sustain the needs of His people. So when there is conviction to give for the specific needs, whether it is for the organization or for a fellow believers or ministers The LORDburdened your heart and mind to help for their needs, do not withhold. For it is the HOLY SPIRIT who is prompting us to do it.

Always remind ourselves: if we have the ability to give, you are more blessed. And so, with purpose of heart, let us draw ourselves to cleave to The LORD more closer, that others may see the difference.

Good morning

 

Acts 11

King James Version

11 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,

5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.

8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.

9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.

12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:

13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.

21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.