The Holy Spirit and the Church at Antioch

By Andrew Williams – March 25, 2021

THE BEGINNING

Some of the believers who were scattered by the persecution which took place when Stephen was killed went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, telling the message to Jews only. But other believers, who were from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and proclaimed the message to Gentiles also, telling them the Good News about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s power was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. The news about this reached the church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw how God had blessed the people, he was glad and urged them all to be faithful and true to the Lord with all their hearts. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he took him to Antioch, and for a whole year the two met with the people of the church and taught a large group. It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians. About that time some prophets went from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and by the power of the Spirit predicted that a severe famine was about to come over all the earth. (It came when Claudius was emperor.) The disciples decided that they each would send as much as they could to help their fellow believers who lived in Judea. They did this, then, and sent the money to the church elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 11:19‭-‬30 GNT

Summary of the Birth and Establishment of the Church

• Started by persecuted Jews who went to Antioch and proclaim the message to gentiles (vs 19-22)

• News went back to the Jerusalem Church and they sent Barnabas to Antioch (vs 22)

• Barnabas went for Saul in Tarsus and took him back to Antioch and they stayed there for a year and taught (vs 25)

• It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians


So based on the background passage we see that Paul and Barnabas were integral in strengthening and helping to build the church after it was started by others. They spent at least a year with the new church. We note that other believers from varied backgrounds were there also from both Jewish and gentile birth.


BARNABAS AND SAUL ARE CHOSEN AND SENT

In the church at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon (called the Black), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (who had been brought up with Governor Herod ), and Saul. While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul, to do the work to which I have called them.” They fasted and prayed, placed their hands on them, and sent them off. Having been sent by the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul went to Seleucia and sailed from there to the island of Cyprus.
Acts 13:1‭-‬4 GNT

It is from this that we can see what the leadership in the church at Antioch was composed of:

• Barnabas (an early Jewish follower of Jesus who was sent from Jerusalem to encourage and strengthen the church in Antioch)
• Simeon
• Lucius from the area of Cyrene
• Manaen (a friend or compatriot of Herod Antipas, who was ruler of Galilee), and
• Saul (a former Pharisee, former persecutor of the church, a relatively new Christian).

Let us look and see what the passage (Acts 13:1-4) says and what we can learn from it.

Verse 1 says that these guys were prophets and teachers. So we know that these guys were the ones who were discipling the church at Antioch.

Verse 2 states that, ” while they were serving ( worshiping) the Lord and fasting”…

For me this has always been an important statement because it shows that the leaders took time by themselves (as leaders) to worship the Lord, and seek Him so that they would know what God wanted them to do and when to do it.

Also in verse 2 it says that, “ the Holy Spirit said to them”…. it is the Holy Spirit who speaks on behalf of the FATHER and the Son. He is the active member of the Godhead residing here on Earth with us.
We know that it was while they were serving and fasting that the Holy Spirit spoke. Prayer is communication, and as these men spoke to God they also listened for God to speak to them , and HE spoke !

Note the specific instruction, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul, to do the work to which I have called them”. This tells me that:
The Holy Spirit is God,
It is the Holy Spirit who speaks on behalf of the godhead here on Earth since Jesus left,
the Holy Spirit directs us when we go to God In Prayer,
the Holy Spirit assigns the work to be done, and
the Holy Spirit calls us to a SPECIFIC work.

I cannot overemphasize the importance of communication between God and man and that during times of prayer God speaks, but, are we willing to wait on Him and listen to Him.

Verse 3 states, “they fasted and prayed, place their hands on them, and send them off”.

I wonder sometimes, did they just agree to send them away or was there some resistance by the leaders. Remember that Barnabas and Saul were pillars in the Antioch Church. BUT, the verse said, that they continued to fast and pray, and then they Blessed them and sent them off.

What obedience to the Spirit of God! I love this passage! For years I’ve looked at some of the churches that have attended, and I’m ashamed to say that I have never seen this among the established leadership.

Yes, there’s prayer and fasting services, but NEVER for the leaders alone. The meetings that i have attended are always business meetings, with a few moments of prayer and then decisions are made by those who are in the meeting. It’s never a case where they just fast and pray and wait for God to answer.

Is it a wonder that these churches are dying, lukewarm or dead. Sigh! When will we spend time seeking God until HE speaks !!
WHEN WILL WE STOP TO LISTEN AND THEN BE OBEDIENT IMMEDIATELY!
When will we be happy to fast, pray for, and bless others when God calls them to a greater work ?

SENT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

Verse 4 states, “having been sent by the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul went to Selucia and sailed from there to the island of Cyprus”.


Missionary work is one that is designed, directed, ordained and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We need to be in relationship with God and be listening to Him and following Him when we consider missions. We are NOT sent by our local church, we are sent by God!
As we look to serve in various types of ministry we need to consider the following questions:

1. Who is directing us – our “church” or God ?

2. Who are we listening to – our “church” or God?

Barnabas and Saul went out on this missionary journey based on the call and leading of the Holy Spirit. As we seek to serve the Lord , let us follow the example of these leaders in the Church at Antioch and seek God for His direction and His perfect timing. Let us be obedient to His voice and go make disciples wherever He sends us.



Prayer : Father God, help us to seek You until we find You, to knock until You open doors, and ask until You give . Help us to obey promptly, and as we listen to Your Holy Spirit, help us to leave our comfort zones and to go out and do as You have commanded, in Jesus’ Name, amen.