In Acts 13 we glean even more insight about the infamous Antioch Church. In three very brief verses (Acts 13:1-3) we learn so much about what made this church so unique and special. A culture was created in which diversity was not only allowed but celebrated as the church leaders came from completely different ethnic backgrounds and we read about them being united together worshipping the Lord, "Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch and Saul" (Acts 13:1). Furthermore, we see that they not only were from different ethnic backgrounds but they had a diversity of gifts as well. Some present were gifted as teachers and others as prophets. Paul (Saul) was of course appointed as an apostle. Paul and Barnabas clearly had the missionary gift and calling. No two individuals are alike nor does the Lord distribute the same gifts to every individual. All are given different gifts and are commanded to use them according to the measure of grace they are given (Rom. 12:3, 6).
Paul and Barnabas were the missionaries that came to the church at Antioch. They were the "experts" who had been to this rodeo before and they were there to instruct the church in what they know and have learned. Clearly they were the most seasoned and qualified leaders at the church. Notice, though that they did not suffer from a case of "spiritual elitism" in which they viewed themselves as the only leaders in the group. In fact they submitted themselves to the leadership at the church! The church at Antioch sent them out on their next missionary journey (Acts 13:3). Paul and Barnabas presented themselves as servants to the church and lifted others up to exercise their gifts for the glory and honor of God.
The Antioch Church claimed their stake in the annuls of church history as a church focused outward and can properly be called a sending church, "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off" (Acts 13:2-3). I am sure that after serving the Antioch Church for a year that the people had a deep love and affection for them. It would have been profitable for the church to keep Paul and Barnabas around. A culture of true Kingdom building was created in the midst of this church. Notice I said "true" culture of Kingdom building. All churches seem to have a focus on kingdom building. The problem is that many focus on building their kingdom rather than His Kingdom.
This mindset adopted by the Antioch Church is the proper one to have. It is our calling to have a vision for being a sending church and to set aside times to worship to seek out the Lord's calling. John Piper says that there are three types of people that exist in every church, "Those that send, those that are sent, those that are disobedient." The question is which category to you fall in? Let's model our lives and ministry after the Antioch Church and be sent ones and senders for the glory of God.
DID YOU KNOW: The city of Antioch was held by Muhammed Ali for a period of about 9 years. Well, this was not the boxer but Muhammed Ali of Egypt who lived in the early to mid eighteen hundreds.
Awesome brother. Amen I want Antioch to be real! What that means to me is a culture of meeting people were they are and loving them unconditionally. Really being apart of their daily lives. I want it to be Bible saturated Jesus loving scripture following people that have a love for one another that is authentic and visible to the community.
ReplyDeleteWhat strikes me is the "unity in diversity" that was, and can only truly be, accomplished in Jesus that was displayed in the church then. how beautiful, and how really glorifying to God it is when we can sincerely neglect to take into account each other's backgrounds, levels of education, ethnic culture, or whatever differences we may have, and see and treat each other for what we really are - fellow sinners saved by God's grace and mercy. it's so liberating to forfeit any competition we may feel with each other, and know that His value of us isn't effected by how we are evaluated by others. i think when we allow the Holy Spirit to show us how deeply dependent we are on His power to do anything good, how incapable we are in ourselves, it won't be difficult to have that sincere humility and selflessness that Paul and Barnabas had.
ReplyDeleteI think it should be a seeker friendly church, and what I mean by that is we should seek out the lost, hurt, and displaced in the community, not build it and they will come but go get them! Luke 14:23 "And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled."
ReplyDeleteJames, You really capture the essence of "incarnational living" which is living like Christ amongst the people. You really exemplify this in your life and it is my prayer that we all will be inspired to live that same lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteBecca, your post is truly inspiring and reveals what a church body should live like. You have a way of identifying the principle and then stating it in a simple understandable way. This is a great gift! My next post is going to be about this concept of "unity in diversity." I am actually going to quote a few things you said in here...if you don't mind:)
James I was just discussing those verses on Sunday with my Pastor. The original members who were invited to the banquet made silly excuses in Jesus' parable. Thus because the master wanted guests, they had to go get others. BUT the others knew "cultural etiquette", therefore they would refuse to come because they wouldn't feel worthy. Thus they had to be COMPELLED to come in. So yes, we have to go out and GET them and COMPEL them to come to church. Effort.
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