Seismic shifts in Christian mission

From Antioch to Antioch !Acts 13

Seismic shifts in Christian mission

Acts11-13 Change-over from

Peter to Paul

Jews to Gentiles

Disciples of a Jewish Messiah to “Christians”

Jerusalem-centred to an Antioch base

ANTIOCH

ANTIOCH

Syrian Antioch

“Queen of the east,” the third most strategic city in the Roman empire after Rome and Alexandria

Large, 500,000 pop. (many Jews but also Orientals from Persia, India and China)

International cosmopolitan & an Intellectual rival to Alexandria

A moral Cesspool eg Daphne suburb with ritual prostitution, “Daphnici mores” = playboy mentality.

Mission Needs Talkers

Acts 11:19-21 (8:4)“Now those who had been forced to

scatter went around proclaiming the good news concerning Jesus.”

Mission needs Encouragers

Acts 11:22-24“When he arrived and saw the

evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.”

Barnabas

An Encourager A Good man Full of the Holy Spirit Full of Faith (in God and what God

can do through others)

Mission needs Teachers

Acts 11:25-27

Barnabas Knew his limitations Recognised the greater gifts of

others and gave them space to work- gets Paul over to lead the teaching

Mission needs Givers

Acts 11:27-30“So the disciples, each in accordance

with his financial ability, decided to send relief to their brothers and sisters living in Judea.”

Mission needs Prophets

Acts 11:27-30, 13:2“In the church at Antioch there were

prophets ...While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “... ”

Guidelines for discerning prophecy

Essentially a means of guidance

Each may hear and speak

Need to test everything

Hold on to the good

Reject the rest

Mission “sent ones” – Apostles

Acts 13:1-4... “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul

for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

A New generationChange in Apostleship

Apostolos – Greek “a sent one” Missio – Latin for “to send”

Paul & Barnabas start of a new breed of “apostles” = missionaries

Sent by both the Holy Spirit & Church

Jesus The 12 Barnabas

Mission needs the Power of Holy Spirit Intervention

Acts 13:4-12Then Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit,

said, “ ...

Mission needs the telling of the story – preaching the Word

Acts 13:13-43“But God raised Him from the dead ...

Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.”