Acts 11:23
“When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.”
Veni, vidi, vici is a Latin phrase popularly attributed to Julius Caesar. In essence it means I came. I saw. I conquered. The long-lasting result of Caesar’s conquests was a trail of suffering and death.
Barnabas was sent on a mission to Antioch to investigate reports that believers had fled Jerusalem because of the persecution and had started a church in that city. They wanted to send someone who knew what true believers were and one that was a faithful follower of the risen Lord Jesus. Barnabas was their man.
When Barnabas arrived in Antioch he saw that the grace of God was evident in this new church and he rejoiced with them and EXHORTED them. That means he gave them words of encouragement and blessing. We need more of that today!
Not only did he encourage them, he instructed them to remain faithful with a steadfast purpose. It is too easy to get our eyes on minor divisions and lose sight of the calling God has given us to keep our eyes on Him and Him alone. Barnabas’s report to the church back in Jerusalem must have been received with great rejoicing.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil