Transcript Characteristics Of An Apostolic Resource Community Acts 13 Wesley Campbell, Aug. 2nd , 2015

Characteristics Of
An Apostolic Resource Community
Acts 13
Wesley Campbell, Aug. 2nd , 2015
Intro
Look at the humanity around us, ask
yourself a question…
“How did we get here” ?
Difference cultures, religions, beliefs,
economies, etc.
Tony Campolo states, “That for better or
worse, America has become the lead
culture for this world!
How was North America Built?
North America was built upon Judeo-Christian
belief and practise
The immigrants came from Christian Europe.
That culture came from Acts 13.
One could say we are all connected to this
historical story of Acts 13.
What the 1st century church did as an Apostolic
Resources Community massively affected our
world, and the whole wide world.
It was EXPANSION AND INCREASE
New Life Church Vision Statement
“To be an Apostolic Resource
Community;
Encountering God;
Loving People and
Advancing His Kingdom”
I. Apostolic Centres are Five
Fold Ministry Centers Led By
Apostles and Prophets
13 1 Now in the church at Antioch there were
prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon
called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who
had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch)
and Saul.
2 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.” 3 So after they had fasted
and prayed, they placed their hands on them
and sent them off.
A. The Church at Antioch
This is a very famous church.
It rivaled Jerusalem in importance.
1. The city of Antioch
•
•
•
•
•
Antioch was a great center of government
and civilization, and the Christian religion
spread there almost from the beginning.
“It was at Antioch that they were called
Christian for the first time,” Acts 11:26.
It was at Antioch that we first know of
Gentiles being initiated into the church.
It was from Antioch that Paul set out on
his first missionary journey.
It was at Antioch that Matthew’s Gospel
was written.
It was at Antioch that the hierarchy —
deacons and presbyters under an
episcopos — took shape.
It was at Antioch that the new religion
was given form, which would change the
world irrevocably.
Antioch was beautifully positioned on the
Orontes River, surrounded by mountains
and close to the sparkling Mediterranean.
A highway connected it to ancient cities of
the orient.
It had all of the amenities of Greek cities at
that time:
• the theater (the Greeks thought this
essential to one’s mental health);
• the gymnasium (the school);
• the forum (the business of the town was
conducted here);
• public baths (where the town fathers
gathered to exchange pleasantries) and
• temples to the various gods (run by the
priests who offered sacrifice that they
believed kept the social order going).
• To the south was the opulent suburb of
Daphne where many Jews lived. A great
temple to Apollo was built at Daphne and
the Olympic games were held here.
Antioch grew rapidly and soon had a
population of half a million.
Christians Arrive c. AD 35
By the time Christians arrived in Antioch circa AD
34, Antioch was the third most important city in
the Empire (population 500,000), behind Rome
and Alexandria. It was regarded as the center of
science, religion and commerce in the Near East.
Jews had lived in Antioch from the beginning.
It has been estimated that as many as 25,000 to
45,000 Jews lived in Antioch in the middle of the
first century. These Jews retained close ties to
those in Jerusalem, and would doubtless have
gone there for the three pilgrimage feasts each
year. There were probably several in Jerusalem
for the feast of Pentecost who heard Peter’s
speech and we know the name of at least one
(Nicolaus) who was made a deacon.
2. The Birth of the Antioch
Church
Acts 11:19 Now those who had been scattered by
the persecution that broke out when Stephen was
killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and
Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews.
(then a space of 8 years)
Acts 11:20 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. 21 The Lord’s hand was with
them, and a great number of people believed and
turned to the Lord.
3. The Gentile Church of Antioch
Eight to ten years later a second missionary
team arrived in Antioch, who preached not to
the minority Jews, but to the majority
Gentiles. Acts tells us about “men from
Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had
come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists [i.e.,
the Gentiles –ed.], preaching the Lord Jesus.
And the hand of the Lord was with them, and
a great number believed and turned to the
Lord” (11:20–21).
The problem? The Gentile men were not
circumcised and they did not keep the Jewish
law. The word of this complicating turn of
events got out to the church in Jerusalem,
which, of course, was all Jewish.
B. Barnabas
Acts 11:22 News of this reached the church in
Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God
had done, he was glad and encouraged them all
to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.
24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and
faith, and a great number of people were brought
to the Lord.
Acts 4:36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the
apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of
encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and
brought the money and put it at the apostles’
feet.
B. Barnabas Countinued…
• This was the new paradigm, and Barnabas
turned out to be favorable to what was
happening: “When he came and had seen the
grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged
them all that with purpose of heart they should
continue with the Lord” (11:23).
• Gentiles, according to Barnabas, could be
believers without being circumcised! “The
disciples were first called Christians in Antioch”
(Acts 11:26)!
C. Saul/Paul
Barnabas knows that this new group needed
is teaching. He made a side trip to Tarsus get
Paul.
Luke tells us that the two remained in that
city for a year, instructing and teaching.
Acts 11:25 Then 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.
The Antioch church, one of the five great
apostolic centers led by a five-fold ministry
mainly apostles and prophets
Ephesians 4:11-12
4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles,
some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and
some to be pastors and teachers, v. 12 to prepare
God's people for works of service, so that the body
of Christ may be built up. (NIV)
All words are function based words, not titles.
Paul and Barnabas were apostles
who led the church in Antioch.
How do we know?
Acts 14:3-4 So Paul and Barnabas
spent considerable time there,
speaking boldly for the Lord, . . . 4
The people of the city were divided;
some sided with the Jews, others
with the apostles. (NIV)
Paul and Barnabas were apostles.
Acts 14:11 When the crowd saw what Paul had
done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language,
“The gods have come down to us in human form!”
12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called
Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13 The
priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the
city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates
because he and the crowd wanted to offer
sacrifices to them.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul
heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed
out into the crowd, shouting:
1 Thess. 2:6 We were not looking for
praise from men, not from you or
anyone else. As apostles of Christ we
could have been a burden to you, (NIV)
Who is the we?
In Acts 16 we know that it was Paul,
Silas, Timothy and Luke.
They were called apostles – plural.
Peter Wagner Writes:
In the New Apostolic Reformation churches take
seriously the scriptures that state:
Ephesians 2:20, which tells us that the household
of God (the church) is “built on the foundation of
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being
the chief cornerstone.”
And also, “And God has appointed these in the
church: first apostles, second prophets, third
teachers . . .” (1 Cor. 12:28).
Apostles, properly related to prophets, are those
who are intended to govern the church and to
have the final authority.
II. Apostolic Resource Centers
Minister to the Poor- Famine
Relief
Luke’s Summary tag: Acts 12:24 But the
word of God continued to spread and
flourish.
Growth – numerical growth, leadership
growth,
Acts 12:25 When Barnabas and Saul
had finished their mission, they
returned from Jerusalem, taking with
them John, also called Mark.
What Mission?
Acts 11:27 During this time some prophets
came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up
and through the Spirit predicted that a
severe famine would spread over the entire
Roman world. (This happened during the
reign of Claudius.) 29 The disciples, as each
one was able, decided to provide help for
the brothers and sisters living in Judea.
30 This they did, sending their gift to the
elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Gal. 2:9 James, Peter and John, those reputed to
be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand
of fellowship when they recognized the grace
given to me. They agreed that we should go to
the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. 10 All they
asked was that we should continue to remember
the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. (NIV)
Paul continued to do this.
Rom. 15:25 Now, however, I am on my way to
Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people
there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were
pleased to make a contribution for the poor
among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. 27 They
were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to
them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’
spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to
share with them their material blessings.
III. Apostolic Centers are
sending and Receiving
centers- It’s a RESOURCE
Center
-SOMEONE IS ALWAYS COMING
AND GOING-
III. Sending and Receiving
Centers
In Acts 11:25 the Apostolic/Prophetic, and
Apostolic Teacher comes.
Acts 11:25 Then 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.
More prophets come.
Acts 11:27 During this time some prophets came
down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
Acts 13- Barnabas and Saul are
back. 1
ACTS 13: Now in the church at Antioch
there were prophets and teachers:
Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of
Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up
with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.2 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.” 3 So after they had
fasted and prayed, they placed their hands
on them and sent them off. 4 The two of
them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit,
went down to Seleucia and sailed from
there to Cyprus.
III. Sending and Receiving
Centers
Apostles - a delegate, set apart and sent on a
mission; one set free to go on a mission
Apostolos ^652^ is, lit., "one sent forth" (apo,
"from," stello, "to send").
Antioch was the sending center of the ancient
world.
NLC has always been a sending and receiving
apostolic base.
Missions – as many as 200 in a year.
Itinerate prophets and teachers who go out to
establish and strengthen – 50 to 100 conferences
a year.
IV. Apostolic Centers Include
a Ministry to Israel
Acts 13:5 When they arrived at Salamis, they
proclaimed the word of God in the
Jewish synagogues. John was with them
as their helper.
IV. . . . A Ministry to Israel
In Pisidian Antioch
Acts 13:13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions
sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left
them to return to Jerusalem. 14 From Perga they
went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they
entered the synagogue and sat down. 15 After
the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the
leaders of the synagogue sent word to them,
saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of
exhortation for the people, please speak.”
Acts 13:16 Standing up, Paul motioned with his
hand and said: “Fellow Israelites and you
Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! 17 The
God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors;
IV. . . . A Ministry to Israel
Acts 14
In Iconium
Acts 14:1 At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as
usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they
spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews
and Greeks believed.
Summary Statement:
Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered
them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God
to you first. Since you reject it and do not
consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we
now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the
Lord has commanded us:
This is the continual pattern over and over and
over.
IV. Apostolic Centers Include a
Ministry to Israel
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the
gospel, because it is the power of God that
brings salvation to everyone who believes: first
to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Even the mercy missions was motivated by the
principle, “to the Jew first!”
Rom. 15:27 They were pleased to do it, and
indeed they owe it to them. For if the
Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual
blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with
them their material blessings.
IV. Apostolic Centers Include
a Ministry to Israel
Rom. 11:11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as
to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather,
because of their transgression, salvation has
come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.
12 But if their transgression means riches for
the world, and their loss means riches for the
Gentiles, how much greater riches will their
full inclusion bring!
All Israel Will Be Saved
Rom. 11:25 I do not want you to be ignorant of
this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you
may not be conceited: Israel has experienced
a hardening in part until the full number of
the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way
all Israel will be saved.
Matt. 23: 37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who
kill the prophets and stone those sent to you,
how often I have longed to gather your
children together, as a hen gathers her chicks
under her wings, and you were not willing.
38 Look, your house is left to you desolate.
39 For I tell you, you will not see me again
until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the
name of the Lord.’
V. Apostolic Centers Move in Power
Ministries
Act 13:6 They traveled through the whole island
until they came to Paphos. There they met a
Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named BarJesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul,
Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man,
sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to
hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer
(for that is what his name means) opposed them
and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.
9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with
the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said,
10 “You child of the devil and an enemy of
everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of
deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting
the right ways of the Lord?
Acts 13:11 Now the hand of the Lord is
against you. You are going to be blind
for a time, not even able to see the light
of the sun.” Immediately mist and
darkness came over him, and he groped
about, seeking someone to lead him by
the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw
what had happened, he believed, for he
was amazed at the teaching about the
Lord.
Rom. 15:19 by the power of signs and
wonders, through the power of the Spirit of
God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to
Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of
Christ.
VI. Apostolic Centers Preach
The Apostolic GospelAny other gospel than we have received.
Gal. 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven
should preach a gospel other than the one we
preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!
Rom. 15:17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my
service to God. V.18 I will not venture to speak of
anything except what Christ has accomplished
through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God
by what I have said and done—19 by the power
of signs and miracles, through the power of the
Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to
Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of
Christ. Acts 13:
VI. Apostolic Centers
Preach The Apostolic
GospelActs 13:13 From Paphos, Paul and his
companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia,
where John left them to return to Jerusalem.
14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian
Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the
synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading
from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of
the synagogue sent word to them, saying,
“Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation
for the people, please speak.”
VI. Apostolic Centers
Preach The Apostolic
GospelActs 13:16 Standing up, Paul motioned with
his hand and said: “Fellow Israelites and you
Gentiles who worship God, listen to me!
17 The God of the people of Israel chose our
ancestors; he made the people prosper
during their stay in Egypt; with mighty power
he led them out of that country; 18 for about
forty years he endured their conduct in the
wilderness; 19 and he overthrew seven
nations in Canaan, giving their land to his
people as their inheritance. 20 All this took
about 450 years. . . . (throught to v. 37)
Acts 13:38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you
to know that through Jesus the forgiveness
of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him
everyone who believes is set free from every
sin, a justification you were not able to
obtain under the law of Moses. 40 Take care
that what the prophets have said does not
happen to you:
41 “‘Look, you scoffers,
wonder and perish,
for I am going to do something in your days
that you would never believe,
even if someone told you.’”
VII. Apostolic Centers Are
Breakers That Start and
Establish New Things.
Acts 13:42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the
synagogue, the people invited them to speak
further about these things on the next Sabbath.
43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of
the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed
Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and
urged them to continue in the grace of God.
Acts 13:44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole
city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled
with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul
was saying and heaped abuse on him.
Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered
them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God
to you first. Since you reject it and do not
consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we
now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the
Lord has commanded us:
“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the
earth.’”
48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad
and honored the word of the Lord; and all who
were appointed for eternal life believed.
49 The word of the Lord spread through the
whole region.
The Church was established in new territory.
VIII. Apostolic Centers
Always Experience The
Turbulence of Growth and
Movement
Acts 13:50 But the Jewish leaders incited the
God-fearing women of high standing and the
leading men of the city. They stirred up
persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and
expelled them from their region. 51 So they
shook the dust off their feet as a warning to
them and went to Iconium. 52 And the
disciples were filled with joy and with the
Holy Spirit.
This is tough stuff. Not for the faint of heart.
VIII. Apostolic Centers
Always Experience The
Turbulence of Growth and
Movement
John Mark actually quit because of the
turbulence, turmoil, and opposition.
Acts 13:13 From Paphos, Paul and his
companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia,
where John left them to return to Jerusalem.
He quit, he just said, “. . . I’m out! I fold!”
Acts 15:37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also
called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not
think it wise to take him, because he had
deserted them in Pamphylia and had not
continued with them in the work.
VIII. Apostolic Centers Always
Experience The Turbulence of
Growth and Movement
Prov. 14:4
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean:
but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
Prov. 14:4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is
empty,
but from the strength of an ox come abundant
harvests.
Roberts Liardon and the message of Aimee Semple
McPherson