The Antioch Principle
gtcotr/ws041906
We have been talking about callings. How that God:
* Calls us
* Prepares us
* Empowers us
* Sends us
A calling is an invitation to come and be prepared.
Matthew 22:14 Many are called but few are chosen.
If we want to know what God has called us to do, we can often look behind us to see what He has prepared us to do.
We have thus far looked at the 12 Apostles of the Lamb, the 70 disciples sent out by Jesus in Luke 10 and Philip the Evangelist.
We established that
‘He who calls us is responsible to keep us.’
1 Corinthians 9:7 No man goes to war at his own expense.
Tonight we are going to look at callings by looking at The Antioch Principle.
Acts 11 NKJV
19 ¶ Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.
20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.
23 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.
24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.
26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Notice:
* These who went out from Jerusalem went: (verse 19)
‘As far as Antioch preaching to Jews only.’
* Then in verse 22 Barnabas was sent out by the church:
‘to go as far as Antioch’
Limited callings are valid callings, however, where one church or group draws a line or leaves off the spread of the Gospel, God will raise up another.
The Church in Jerusalem chose Barnabas to go as far as Antioch, then some time later, perhaps 2 to 3 years, having fulfilled his calling and duty to the Jerusalem Church, Barnabas is again chosen to be sent out again, this time by a different church, the church in Antioch, under a different calling and mandate:
Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (NKJV)
The church in Antioch was birthed by lay ministers most likely without credentials.
Lets read Acts 13 NKJV
Acts 13
1 ¶ Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
Essential Elements of The Antioch Principle
Acts 11:26
Teaching and Time
This is the foundation upon which the work of God is birthed
Acts 13:1ff
Ministry to the Lord
Fasting (Speaks of living a spiritual life in genuine pursuit of God)
Listening to God
Fasting (Speaks of sincere engagement in the Holy things of God)
Prayer
Laying on of hands (Public recognition and impartation)
Release
