“The Antioch Commission” Worshiping
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The Antioch Commission Acts 12:25—13:12 Acts 11:29-30; 12:25 (11:29)“So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.” (12:25) “And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.” (ESV) “The Antioch Commission” Acts 13:1-3 “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. 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.” (ESV) “The Antioch Commission” Five Teachers Named • Barnabas, Hellenistic Jew from Cyprus • Simeon called Niger from N. Africa • Lucius of Cyrene • Manaen “a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch” • “syn-trophos”—same mother, nurse, or nanny • “tetrarch”—talk more about this in a moment • Saul, Hebraic Jew “The Antioch Commission” Acts 13:1-3 “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. 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.” (ESV) “The Antioch Commission” Worshiping (leitourgeō) • Perform a service, render their service as worship • The reason they were able to hear the Spirit, is because they were actively involved and listening to the Spirit “The Antioch Commission” The Story Told Acts 13:4-12 Acts 13:4-7 “So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar- Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who …” “The Antioch Commission” Acts 13:7-11 “summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, ‘You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of …’” “The Antioch Commission” Acts 13:10-12 “the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.’ Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.” (ESV) “The Antioch Commission” Tetrarch/Proconsul • Titles of Roman officials. “The Antioch Commission” Three Important Developments • Sergius Paulus is converted • 1st Gentile convert named with no previous religious background in Judaism “The Antioch Commission” Three Important Developments • Sergius Paulus is converted • Saul is called Paul for the first time • “But Saul, who was also called Paul …” (13:9) “The Antioch Commission” Three Important Developments • Sergius Paulus is converted • Saul is called Paul for the first time • The leadership changes from Barnabas and Saul to Paul and Barnabas • “Now Paul and his companions …” (13:13) “The Antioch Commission” The Story Applied In our story we find three helpful applications Application 1) Each person must be reduplicating their ministry and passing on a legacy “The Antioch Commission” Legacies and Ministries • Mothers to daughters, fathers to sons, grandparents to grandchildren • Moving forward: from attender, to member, to “belong-er,” to server • Greeter, usher, server, teacher, sound tech, lawn tech, VBS volunteer, life group leader, mugger! • From server to trainer (reduplicating ministry) “The Antioch Commission” Application 2) Each person actively involved in worshiping the Lord (13:2)—“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said …” “The Antioch Commission” Application 3) Each person willing to release into ministry (to send) or be released into ministry (be sent) “The Antioch Commission” The Antioch Commission A church that was willing to: Reach, Teach, Equip, & Send.