Ministry is Stronger in Partnership
- Baptist Daily Devotional
- Jun 27
- 3 min read
Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | June 27 2025 | Acts 11:25-26
KEY VERSE: "²⁵Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶ and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” Acts 11:25-26 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
In the midst of revival in Antioch, Barnabas recognised that enthusiasm alone wasn't enough - the church needed strong teaching. Rather than working alone, he partnered with Saul, a gifted teacher. This passage highlights three key lessons: the strength of spiritual collaboration, the importance of grounding revival in sound teaching, and the role of discipleship in shaping true Christian identity.
Barnabas sought out Saul to partner in strengthening the revival in Antioch (Acts 11:25-26a), showing that ministry flourishes through collaboration, not competition. His Spirit-led leadership recognised and valued Saul’s gifts, demonstrating the importance of shared ministry. Then, together, they provided encouragement and doctrinal teaching, anchoring the revival in God’s Word. Their year-long investment in teaching laid firm foundations for lasting growth (Acts 11:26b). This reflects the Great Commission’s call to make disciples, not just converts (Matthew 28:20). Ultimately, true Christian identity is formed through ongoing, intentional teaching and transformation.
In Antioch, believers were first called “Christians” (Acts 11:26c) not because of a label they claimed, but because their transformed lives visibly reflected Christ. Although the term may have originated as a mockery from outsiders, it became a fitting description of their distinct, unified, and Christ-like way of living. Their faith was evident in both words and actions. Unlike today, where “Christian” is often used loosely, true Christian identity in the early church flowed from a life of discipleship and transformation. They lived the life before they were given the name, reminding us that the power of our witness is proven by how we walk, not just by what we’re called.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Do you celebrate and seek out others who can help build what God is doing? Barnabas and Saul exemplified Spirit-filled leadership by embracing partnership without ego, prioritising deep teaching, and living out a Christ-like witness.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, thank You for calling me into discipleship. Help me not just to bear Your name but to reflect Your heart. Teach me to walk with others, grow in truth, and embrace spiritual partnerships. May my life give meaning to the name ‘Christian’ - a true follower of Jesus Christ. In Your name I pray, Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 178: 2 Samuel 12 - Nathan Rebukes David
DAILY word study: CHRISTIANS The term Christian (Christianoi, Χριστιανοί) originates from the Greek title Christos (meaning “Anointed One”) combined with the Latin suffix -ianoi, which was commonly used to describe followers or supporters of a leader. It means “those belonging to Christ” or “followers of the Anointed One.
First used in Antioch (Acts 11:26), the name likely originated from outsiders, much like how people were called Herodians—supporters of Herod. It may have sounded mocking at first, but believers accepted it. The name wasn’t claimed—it was earned. Their Christ-like life made others identify them with Jesus. To be called a Christian meant people saw Christ in you.
Reflection:
Being a Christian is more than a title. It’s a visible life of belonging to Christ—one that others should recognise even before the name is mentioned.
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