Acts 13 records the first intentional mission trip of the Bible.
Let me clarify that. It records the first time the Church was intentional about sending missionaries out to proclaim the Gospel in new lands . . . or in the language of Acts, “to the ends of the earth.” Up to this point, God has very intentionally, by the work of His Holy Spirit, been moving people out of Jerusalem and Judea, into areas like Samaria, out to the ends of the earth.
How did it happen?
Recall that the church was growing into non-Jewish territories, and the church in Jerusalem had sent Barnabas to check it out. He, in turn, went and found Saul, who is now going by the name Paul, and brought him back to Antioch to help teach these new believers God’s Word and give them a solid foundation for their faith. It was here that believers were first called Christians, the name we bear today.
As the church in Antioch gathered in worship, they were fasting and praying and God led them to send Barnabas and Paul. So, gathered in prayer, and as they were fasting, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. (It is worth taking a look at a map to see the route they took, and to ponder the courage and faith it took to undertake this trip. You can find one in most Bibles, or by googling, “Paul’s First Missionary Journey.”)
This kind of leadership in the church is rather foreign to me, and I can’t help but wonder if this isn’t part of our heritage we need to return to. I’ve been to many a meeting where we’ve opened with prayer and then got down to business discussing the work God has given us to do. But what if prayer is the business we are called to get down to and God will lead us through it? (If we had more leadership by prayer and fasting, we’d probably have skinnier pastors and lay leaders!)
Don’t get me wrong, I believe God gives people gifts, wisdom, talents and abilities in order to properly lead the church. But to lead in the church one must be a follower, and the One we follow guides us through the Word and prayer. All that wisdom, talent, etc. is guided by the Holy Spirit as we seek God’s will together.
I am learning over and over again that decisions in the church should not always be made by rationally weighing the facts and coldly making decisions. Perhaps rather decisions should be made through prayer, gathered together, uniting our hearts, asking God, “Where are You leading us? What is Your will?” After all, where two or three are gathered together, Jesus promises to be in their midst. Maybe this needs to be a greater priority for us. Think and pray about that.
I have to point out that once again in v. 31, the word “witness” pops up. I can’t help but think that our witness is tied to our time in the Word and Prayer as well.
Father in Heaven, help me to learn to come to you in prayer for all that I need. I pray for the leaders of my church; my pastor, the Elders, Council, Teachers, and everyone You lead us through. Bless them with wisdom, courage, faith, love, clarity and direction from You. Help us to be effective witnesses through their leadership. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Let me clarify that. It records the first time the Church was intentional about sending missionaries out to proclaim the Gospel in new lands . . . or in the language of Acts, “to the ends of the earth.” Up to this point, God has very intentionally, by the work of His Holy Spirit, been moving people out of Jerusalem and Judea, into areas like Samaria, out to the ends of the earth.
How did it happen?
Recall that the church was growing into non-Jewish territories, and the church in Jerusalem had sent Barnabas to check it out. He, in turn, went and found Saul, who is now going by the name Paul, and brought him back to Antioch to help teach these new believers God’s Word and give them a solid foundation for their faith. It was here that believers were first called Christians, the name we bear today.
As the church in Antioch gathered in worship, they were fasting and praying and God led them to send Barnabas and Paul. So, gathered in prayer, and as they were fasting, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. (It is worth taking a look at a map to see the route they took, and to ponder the courage and faith it took to undertake this trip. You can find one in most Bibles, or by googling, “Paul’s First Missionary Journey.”)
This kind of leadership in the church is rather foreign to me, and I can’t help but wonder if this isn’t part of our heritage we need to return to. I’ve been to many a meeting where we’ve opened with prayer and then got down to business discussing the work God has given us to do. But what if prayer is the business we are called to get down to and God will lead us through it? (If we had more leadership by prayer and fasting, we’d probably have skinnier pastors and lay leaders!)
Don’t get me wrong, I believe God gives people gifts, wisdom, talents and abilities in order to properly lead the church. But to lead in the church one must be a follower, and the One we follow guides us through the Word and prayer. All that wisdom, talent, etc. is guided by the Holy Spirit as we seek God’s will together.
I am learning over and over again that decisions in the church should not always be made by rationally weighing the facts and coldly making decisions. Perhaps rather decisions should be made through prayer, gathered together, uniting our hearts, asking God, “Where are You leading us? What is Your will?” After all, where two or three are gathered together, Jesus promises to be in their midst. Maybe this needs to be a greater priority for us. Think and pray about that.
I have to point out that once again in v. 31, the word “witness” pops up. I can’t help but think that our witness is tied to our time in the Word and Prayer as well.
Father in Heaven, help me to learn to come to you in prayer for all that I need. I pray for the leaders of my church; my pastor, the Elders, Council, Teachers, and everyone You lead us through. Bless them with wisdom, courage, faith, love, clarity and direction from You. Help us to be effective witnesses through their leadership. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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