“Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.” Acts 11:19-21
Acts 11, …the continuing story of the gospel on the move from Jerusalem to the world. In the previous chapter (10) the good news broke through to the gentiles when Peter was sent to Cornelius in Caesarea on the Mediterranean. Before the breakthrough to the gentiles, Philip preached to the Samaritans (chap. 8) following the strategy Jesus gave the Apostles in Acts 1:8, “…Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. In the above text, Antioch represents the gateway to the “ends of the earth.” And all this happened in about 10 years’ time.
What is of interest in the progression of the gospel is the kind of people God uses. Jesus begins by calling and sending 12 Jews from the Judean/Galilean region of Palestine. They were not religious scholars but Hebrews, faithful to the Law, the temple and ancestral customs. In contrast to Hebrews, are the people group called Hellenists at Antioch.
Our introduction to the Hellenists is found in Acts 6 where the Hellenist widows were being neglected in daily provision. The Apostles remedied this problem by choosing and releasing six men, all Hellenists themselves, to take care of the practical ministry. These six became the first deacons but they became known for more than waiting tables. Stephen, as a mighty witness for Jesus, filled with faith and Holy Spirit power, made a great spiritual impact in Jerusalem and was martyred for his testimony. Phillip, one of the six, became an effective evangelist reaching the Samaritans. Progressively, the Hellenists take the gospel beyond Jerusalem and Judea to Antioch a Hellenist city (now located in the modern Turkey). This is known as the Hellenist Initiative.
What is the significance of Hellenism and the Hellenists in God’s mission to the world?
If you remember your world history, Alexander the Great was from Greece and the chief propagator of Greek culture as his armies conquered the world (334-323BC). The Greek empire was then supplanted by the Roman armies and Empire which ruled most of the known world during the time of Christ and the birth of the Church. Though the Romans ruled through government, law, and military might, much of the culture throughout the Roman Empire remained influenced by Greek philosophy, education and language. This included Jews (Hellenists) who were dispersed throughout the Roman Empire.
The Hebrews were strongly identified with and attached to the holy city, Jerusalem, the Temple and temple worship. Their language was Aramaic (Hebrew). Conversely, a Hellenist was a Jew of the diaspora, more identified with and influenced by Greek culture; particularly the language (Koine Greek) spoken throughout the Roman Empire. The Jewish diaspora existed throughout the Roman Empire. They were more culturally openminded and farsighted then their Hebrew brotherhood. Their existence was much like the Jews who were led into Babylonian captivity. Even under captivity, they thrived, procreated and prospered.
Hellenists were spiritually rooted in Judaism but were culturally adapted in the world. This combination positioned them uniquely for God’s mission. I call them Supranational Sent Ones: supra-national meaning above the interests of, identification and loyalty to just one nation. Hellenists were a transcendent people; A Bridge people. They were not anchored to one culture. They were at home anywhere they went because of their adaptive capacity and resilience.
The Apostle Paul is a clear example of a Supranational Sent One. He was born in Tarsus, a Roman citizen immersed into a Hellenist culture. Yet his spiritual roots were clearly Judaic: a pharisee educated in Jerusalem who excelled above many of his peers. Both his Roman citizenship and the influence of Hellenistic culture prepared Paul to be an Apostle to the Gentiles. He leaned on every advantage in his mission.
As a follower of Jesus, my identity is derived from Him. I am a citizen of heaven, born from above, waiting for the return of my King Who will come soon and set up His everlasting Kingdom. I am not of this world but in it; my allegiance is not chiefly to the country of my natural birth or residence but to the Kingdom of Almighty God. Because of these realities I am able to imitate the attitude of the Hellenists of their time; able to adapt or flex in any culture I may be sent. I can become all things to all men in order to win others to Christ. This is what it means to be a Supranational Sent One.
Due to global migration, advances in technology, and the dominant place of the English language, it is easier now than at any other time in world history to fit in. God has prepared the global context and His people for such a time as this. Let us put on the attitude of a Supranational Sent One and go forth.
