Hi Everyone,

 

I am taking a break from posting over the Christmas Season. Look forward to posting again in the new year!!

Ministry In Antioch And Beyond: Mission P/1

 

                                       

A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                        PART XIII - I

"I, Saul, have come back to Antioch together with Barnabas and John Mark.... We spent some time in Jerusalem where we delivered a financial gift for believers in Judea... However, we have now returned to Antioch so we can continue out teaching ministry among the believers in this city,,, At least that was our plan.... But it seems the Holy Spirit has other plans for us... This morning we, the leaders of the church in Antioch, came together for a time of worship and prayer when the Holy Spirit spoke to us... He made it very clear that Barnabas and I were to leae Antioch for other places.... So that is what we intend to do.".... Please read the attached story to learn how the Holy Spirit directed the church in Antioch....

                     ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                          PART XIII - I

In Chapter 13 of the Book of Acts we read of the church in a city called Antioch. This particular church is first of all mentioned in Acts 11:19-21

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed, travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the Word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

From these verses we learn how the church in Antioch began and that this church consisted of Jews as well as Gentile believers. And we continue to see the guidance of the Holy Spirit in this church in Antioch in Acts 13:1-2

In the church in Antioch there were prophets and teachers; Barnabasm Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

Saul was a part of that church in Antioch. In fact, you can know from Acts 11:25-26 how he came to be there

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 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.

Barnabas had been sent by the church in Jerusalem to Antioch when the leaders of the church there had learned about these new believers in Antioch. And from there on Barnabas had travelled to Tarsus because he believed that Saul would be very helpful in strenthening the faith of these new believers.

However, the Holy Spirit had made it clear in Acts 13:1-2 that it was time for Barnabas and Saul to move on for He had ministry for them beyond Antioch.The leaders, including Barnabas and Saul, could have protested and say, "But, Holy Spirit, look at all the work that still needs to be done here.Surely, You do not mean for Barnabas and Saul to leave all these people they are discipling? And, Holy Spirit, we have a series of meetings planned for the next few weeks. Please see our agenda. It is full with very important meetings such as a meeting by the Finance Committe as well as a meeting by the Evangelism Committee. And Barnabas and Saul are key members of these committees." But that is not what we hear these leaders say. Instead, they obeyed the direction of the Holy Spirit as you can read in Acts 13:3

So after they fasted and prayed, they placed their hands onthem and sent them off.

These leaders knew how important it was to listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit for He was the One Who was in charge of the church and they were not. They were simply servants who obeyed Him in every way and, consequently, their ministry in Antioch had been greatly blessed. And, no doubt, they would miss having Barnabas and Saul in their midst, but they believed that the Holy Spirit would somehow make up for the loss of these two men so that the work in Antioch would continue to be fruitful.

Read Part Two HERE