A Sending Church
Bible Passage: Acts 11:19-31, 13:1-3
As we conclude this series on God’s design for the church, we look at the second of two blueprint churches given in the book of Acts. This church is the one located in Antioch, and it became a launchpad for the spread of the gospel into the Greek-speaking world.
The Gospel Shared Across Boundaries: Up to this point in the story we have seen the spread of the gospel to new places, but the focus has primarily been on reaching Jewish-background people in those places. Although the gospel had already begun to reach Gentiles through Cornelius, Antioch marks the first large-scale mission to non-Jewish people. We are told in verse 20 that some believers here began also sharing about Jesus with Greeks. This is a major breakthrough moment in the advance of the gospel, and provides an example of God’s heart for his church. When we think about sharing the good news we should have in mind not only those people most like us, but everyone in our community, including those who may seem different or far away for whatever reason. Jesus is for everyone, and the call on us is to share the gospel with all people, just like we see modelled here.
A Model Faith: Through verses 22-26 we learn more about the faith of these believers. As Barnabas and Saul arrived in the city they were encouraged because they had seen God working powerfully. We see a lot of the same traits we already noted in the Jerusalem church: there was a devotion as people received the teaching of Saul and were so formed by it that they were first named Christians here, there was also generosity as they gave what they were able to help the poor believers in Jerusalem, and they were growing as a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
A Diverse Team: In 13:1, we read about the leadership team of this church. Five people are listed, and they reflect a remarkable diversity of backgrounds. Scholars suggest that Barnabas was from Cyprus, Simeon was black African, Lucius was from Libya, Manean had a privileged Palestinian upbringing, and Saul was from Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). This was a multicultural church led by a multicultural leadership team, and it shows something of God’s heart. The idea was never for the church to be made up of a single culture, nationality or ethnicity, but for it to be a place the foreshadows heaven, where people from every tribe, tongue and language will be worshipping together around the throne (see Rev 7:9).
A Sending Church: As this church came to God in prayer and fasting, they were prompted by him to send both Barnabas and Saul out. This was clearly a costly and sacrificial thing to do as these men had been instrumental in building the Antioch church. But as they responded to this call, the believers in Antioch had seen that God’s global purposes were bigger than their own local church, and they were ready to send out gifted people to serve the gospel elsewhere. God longs for his church to have a global vision, and we should be seeking his Spirit for how he is calling us to serve his purposes in the nations.
Potential Applications
- Who are the people around us who might seem distant from God that we can cross boundaries to share the gospel with?
- As we think about our own church, does it show the same kind of diversity that we see in Antioch? Does it reflect the diversity of the community in which we are based? And are we intentionally raising up leaders from across the breadth of our church family?
- How are we currently serving God’s purposes for the nations? Are there other things the Spirit is prompting us to do in this area?
What most stands out to you about the church in Antioch, and why do you think Luke includes its story in Acts?
The believers in Antioch crossed cultural and social boundaries with the gospel. Who has God placed in your life that might require you to step outside your comfort zone to share the good news?
The church in Antioch was shaped by God's Word, marked by generosity and committed to God's mission. Which of these characteristics do you most want to grow in personally?
Acts 13 shows the church worshipping, praying and fasting before the Holy Spirit spoke. How can we create more space in our own lives to listen for God's leading?
What does it look like for a church to reflect the diversity of God's kingdom? How can we become more welcoming to people from different backgrounds and experiences?
Antioch was willing to send some of its best leaders for the sake of God's mission. What does it look like to put God's kingdom purposes ahead of our own comfort or preferences?
As a Community Group, how could we better support God's mission locally and globally through prayer, generosity, hospitality or practical involvement?
