Church Planting

The Great Commission is a call to plant new churches.

And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.’

Luke 14:23

The good news—the Message of the kingdom—will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come.

Matthew 24:14

The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Luke 18:27

And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.’

Luke 14:23

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Romans 10:14–15

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.

Zechariah 4:10

And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.’

Luke 14:23

What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

1 Corinthians 3:5–7

The good news—the Message of the kingdom—will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come.

Matthew 24:14

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Galatians 6:9

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Philippians 1:6

STUDY MATERIALS PURPOSE

The purpose of these study materials is to help, strengthen and educate the Persecuted Church around the world.

People have contacted us from very remote and persecuted areas of the world. These resources are not available to them and/or if they are seen with them they can be persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. Some people can only look at these resources for a brief moment on their cell phones. This library is dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ and to those with fierce determination are following Him.

The books, media and information on this website are a library service and for educational purposes only. This is a lending library for the persecuted church around the world. Please look inside the back of each book or look up the authors name on the internet to obtain more information and more resources from these great ministries. Also, please financially support their ministries as they bring the good news of Jesus Christ to billions of people around the world.

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Let the Church Planting Begin!

Let it Be Done For the Kingdom!

The church planters are coming, the church planters are coming, the church planters are coming! And they are here! And You’re one of them!

If it is in your heart to plant a church - God put that church in your heart! You didn’t put it there! Follow Him, Grab His hand and let Him lead you step by step! - Go for it!

I say France Will Be Won For Christ! - I say Your City Will Be Won For God!

Let’s get to work! Let’s Go!!!!!!

Thank you Jesus!

Much love and blessings to as you begin to build for Him,

• Pastor David : )
  

The Antioch Church - the New Testament Church Pattern for Today!

Notes: Pastor Bill Scheidler & Pastor David Breed

Introduction

Let’s study the most successful church in the New Testament , The Church of Antioch.

In one sense we could say that the church in Antioch was the first church that Paul started. Even though the church actually began prior to Paul coming to assist Barnabas, it was Paul's persecution of the church that caused the scattering of the Believers from Jerusalem to the city of Antioch, (Acts 8:1)

Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time, a great persecution arose against the church, which was a Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

As these Believers were scattered, they went everywhere preaching the Word and sharing their faith (Acts 8:4). They primarily preached to other Jews, (Acts 11:19), but some of these Believers who original roots were in Cyprus and Cyrene openly to preach the gospel to move to a more diverse crowd (Acts 11:20). As they preached many people turned to the Lord (Acts 11:21).

Now those who were scattered after the persecution that rose 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 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 turn to the Lord.

Soon the news of this revival reach the church at Jerusalem, and the leaders of the Jerusalem church decided to send leadership to Antioch to formulate this loose-knit group of converts into a local church (Acts 11:22).

But whom should they send? Who would be a likely candidate to bring order and some structure to this move of the spirit that was taking place among the Hellenists in Antioch?

The Jerusalem leaders, selected Barnabas, a good man, who was full of the Holy Spirit and Faith, who had been a faithful man in the local church for many years (Acts 11:24 with Acts 4:36-37. Not only was Barnabas, a good choice based on his faithfulness in character, but he was also a good man as a man of Cyprus, who would be familiar with the culture of those in that region (Acts 11:20 with Acts 4:36).

When Barnabas arrived, the first thing that he noticed was that he had his work cut out for him. He experienced a great wave of evangelism as he preached the Word. He realized that he was going to need some help establishing and growing these converts in the faith, and shaping them into a pattern church.

Where would he go to find such help? As he prayed about it, he remembered a man that he had befriended a long time ago by the name of Saul, (See Acts 9:27) he was a man who was thoroughly schooled in the Scriptures and would be able to teach the Word of God to these converts. Barnabas went looking for this man, Saul (Acts 11:23, 25-26).

23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encourage them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord… 25 then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Paul, 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 then disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.

Barnabas and Saul became a team and for the next few years they intensely taught the people. Not only would they work as a team in this church plant, they would become the first missionaries to be sent out from this church as Saul and Barnabas went on to fulfill their apostolic call (Acts 13:1-3).

History and Background of the Antioch Church

This is how the church at Antioch got started. This church was destined to become a very influential church for well over 500 years. Some of the Giants among the early church fathers pastored this great church, including Ignatius of Antioch, who was most likely the third lead pastor of this church.

Prior to, but especially after, the destruction of Jerusalem, the Antioch church became a real hub of Christianity, and a true pattern church for the world especially and it's missionary spirit and doctoral purity. It became the launching pad for Christianity to be spread among the Gentile peoples of the world.

This church began like all other churches. It started out as a small church with little or no influence in that city. However, because the foundation of this church was strong and the nature of the lifestyle the people had made up this church was truly Christian, the church grew strong and became quite influential. In fact, this church at its height grew to a place of over 100,000 in membership with over 3000 people on paid staff. (McClintock and Strong, Cyclopedia of Biblical Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, Volume one, page 268).

Because of the Jewish nature of the Jerusalem Church, and because of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., it is fair to say that the church at Antioch became the first church to really model true New Testament Christianity, and it became the PATTERN CHURCH for the world. It still serves us today as a pattern for the apostolic church.

The church of Antioch had been birth out of an apostolic ministry and it went on to fulfill an apostolic call as a congregation. The key elements in the foundation of this church, as it is described in the book of Acts, served as a model for apostolic churches in the world today.

What were these key elements that established the Antioch Church as an apostolic church? What are the characteristics of an “Antioch church”?

12 Characteristics of the Antioch Church

The Antioch church was:

1. AN EVANGELISTIC CHURCH (Acts 11:19-20

The Antioch Church was started by Believers who were fleeing for their lives, but who could not cease to share the good news, wherever they went. These people who had been delivered from the kingdom of darkness, and they were ready to risk their lives to bring others into that same experience of freedom. The Antioch Church was birth in a spirit of evangelism.

The spirit of evangelism continued under the ministry of Barnabas, and Saul. So often churches that begin evangelistic, lose the evangelistic edge as they get to a certain size. Much of the church growth in the north America today simply consists of Believers moving from one church to another.

Fortunately, there were no other churches in Antioch when Barnabas came to that city. If the church was to grow, it was going to have to grow through evangelism. An apostolic church is the church that is able to keep the fires of evangelism alive, even though the church may be many years old. Reaching our own “Jerusalem” is still the first commission of the church (Acts 1:8).

2. A TEACHING CHURCH (Acts 11:26; 13:1)

The Antioch Church was a church committed to the intense training and discipleship of its membership. Paul and Barnabas taught intensely. They believed in and practiced the commission that Jesus had given in Matthew’s account (Matthew28:18-20). When new converts came into the church, there was a discipleship track for them to run on. If a congregation of people is ever going to get to a place where they are touching the world, they are going to have to be composed of people who have become “disciplined ones”.

Disciplined ones are believers we have done more than prayed a simple prayer at their conversion. Discipline ones are ones who have sold out to the Lord ship of the Jesus Christ, and who have made a radical change in how they live. Discipline ones are those have put the purposes of God ahead of their own purposes, who have left houses and lands for the sake of the gospel.

Members of the Antioch Church must be true disciples who have come to the cross, repent of their sins, excepted the life of faith, been baptized in water and the Holy Ghost, and you have distinguish themselves from the sinful generation in which they live (Acts 2:37-40) The members of an Antioch church will be expected to make personal sacrifices to see the harvest become a reality.

Paul and Barnabas focused on teaching as they laid the foundation of this great church. They taught for change and they witnessed a change in the lives of the people. The character of Jesus was produced in these people who are called “Christians” because their life reflected character and nature of Christ, not because they merely attended church services on Sunday (Acts 11:26).

As Barnabas and Paul were faithful to teach, other teachers were raised up. In fact, by the time Barnabas and Paul were ready to be sent out as the first missionaries of the church, they have replace themselves. Acts 13:1 and two tells us that there were certain profits and teachers in Antioch. Where did these leaders come from? They came out of the teaching ministry of Paul and the prophetic ministry of Barnabas.

History records that leaders from the Antioch church were used to help maintain doctrinal purity in the emerging church, and theat it establish the theological seminary for the training of church leaders for many years to come. (McClintock and Strong, Volume one, page 269 ).

3. A MULTICULTURAL CHURCH (Acts 11:20; 13:1)

As you look at the complexion of the leader ship team at the Antioch Church, it is immediately apparent that this church was a blending of races and cultures, much more than Jerusalem could've ever been. Those who founded this church had a very inclusive vision, and extended the gospel beyond the Jewish community, including men of Cyprus and Cyrene (North Africa). Their leader ship included Lucius of Cyrene.

This kind of diversity does not unusually just happen in church planting. Too many church planters and church builders limit the scope of their vision, feeling that they must have a narrow target, (usually people with money). Actually, the more diverse the church is the more powerful and influential it will become. We want the church to be just as diverse as the great multitude of people gathered before the throne of God in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 7:9).

After these things I looked, and this is what I saw: a vast multitude which no one could count, [gathered] from every nation and from all the tribes and peoples and languages [of the earth], standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Christ), dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands…

The various races and ethnic backgrounds represent our Samaria (Acts 1:8) that needs to be the focal point of ministry outreach. God's heart is for all peoples of all Nations and He does not want our heart to be any smaller (Deuteronomy 10:17-19).

Building a church with wide ethnic diversity actually paves the way for touching the nations of the world. How can we expect to love the peoples of the world that we see every day in our own communities? We love everyone and need to reach everyone!

4. A TEAM MINISTRY CHURCH

Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who is called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with the Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

The Antioch Church believed in the five fold ministry and practiced team ministry. The leadership of the church was a broad-based leadership team where all the leadership gifts were present. The evangelistic gift, the prophetic gift, the teaching gift, the pastoral gift, and the apostolic gift were all evidenced and in operation in the church.

As a result, all of the Ministries of the Body of Christ had a point of identification, and the various gifts among them could be adequately, equipped, and released. Team ministry makes it possible for the leadership to reproduce after its own kind. Churches that do not have a healthy pipeline of up-and-coming ministries will have a difficult time sending ministries forth into the harvest fields of the world. It was because Paul replaced himself, and Barnabas replaced himself that they could themselves be sent out by the Antioch church without fear that the mother church would be in peril or run into difficulties. A solid ministry team was in place.

5. A SPIRIT ANOINTED CHURCH (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.”

The Antioch Church believed in and practiced the gifts of the Spirit. The gifts of the spirit mentioned in first Corinthians 12 are clearly defined supernatural gifts given by the Holy Spirit to assist the church in accomplishing the mission. The gifts of the spirit flow along with the power promised in conjunction with the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).

If Jesus is truly going to be the head of the Church, there must be a way for Him to communicate to His people. One of the ways that the Spirit speaks in the church is through the prophetic word. The prophetic word came to the church at Antioch, “Now separate to Me, Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

This was not just a word for Barnabas and Saul; it was a word for the Church as well. The church was going to have to pay the ultimate price to be an apostolic church. They were going to have to be willing to send out the apostolic ministry to function in their own calling. They were going to have to be able to send out the Barnabas and Saul “the best of the best.”

6. A PROPHETIC CHURCH (Acts 11:27-30; 13:2)

The Antioch church made a strong place for prophecy in the church. Jesus was the head of this church, and His voice through prophecy was important in guiding and directing the mission of the church. As a result, it became a place where prophets were raised up and a place where the prophets ministry was respected.

When Agabus visit this people, he had liberty to share his prophetic gift. As he shared a future prediction about a famine, which was to come some years later, there was an immediate responsiveness to the word which he spoke. The church sent relief to Jerusalem for a famine that would not actually happen for five to seven years in the future (Acts 11:27-30).

And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 this they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

The members of Antioch had what is sometimes referred to as the 20/20 (6/6) prophetic vision based on second Chronicles 20:20.

“Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” 2 Chronicles 20:20b

What a credit it is to Paul and Barnabas and their discipleship of the group of believers. They respected the word of the Lord, and we're willing to do whatever the Lord asked of them no matter how costly. That is the spirit of the Antioch Church - instant obedience.

7. A GENEROUS CHURCH (Acts 11:30; 13:3)

The Antioch Church was a giving church. They had truly entered into the scripture, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). An apostolic church must have a generous spirit. Missionary work, planting churches, reaching out in evangelism and providing training programs for future leaders all cost a lot of money.

It is so much easier just to sit, relax and be a nice little community church that “hangs on” until Jesus comes. But if a church is going to be a city influencing church, a nation influencing church, and a world influencing church, it will have to be a church filled with people who love the people of the world more than their own money, their own comfort, and their own pleasure.

In Antioch Church is a church with a high level of commitment among its membership. It is a church where people are willing to expend their time, talents, and resources. It is a place where they are willing to give the best that they own to others.

In my own experience over the years, I have been part of a leadership team that believed in and practiced church planting. During this process I have lost many of my very closest friends to the mission field as they followed the call of God on their lives. It was a painful and yet glorious experience. At least now I can go almost anywhere in the world and get free lodging.

There is a cost of being an apostolic church. The cost includes the sacrifice of time, talent, and finances. It includes saying goodbye to friends and family who will join others in team outreaches around the world. It includes being willing to let go of pastors and church leaders that you have grown to love and appreciate. It even means seeing your senior pastor move out of his or her position and become more apostolic. It means be willing to share your leader ship with the world.

8. A WORSHIPPING CHURCH (Acts 13:2)

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”

The Antioch church was a church that understood their function as priests unto God. They knew how to minister unto the Lord. The ministry and the Lord in this passage, undoubtably refers to an atmosphere of worship. As priests under God one of our primary function is ministering to the Lord. We minister to the Lord through our sacrifices of praise and worship.

New Testament priests who understand their God ordained function to position themselves in worship are also the kind of people who can be led and directed by the Holy Spirit. Our posture of worship places us in a position to hear the voice of the Lord more clearly.

If Jesus is going to be the builder of the church, the people of the church must be in a place of humility before the Lord so they can receive His instruction. Our posture of worship is a continual reminder that Jesus is the Lord of the church.

9. A PRAYING CHURCH

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.  Acts 13:2-3

The Antioch Church made it a priority to set aside seasons of prayer and fasting to hear the voice of the Lord to the church. Prayer is the pipeline of the Spirit and was a major key to the success of the Church in the Book of Acts. A praying church is a powerful church.

An apostolic church must be composed of people who know how to touch God in their personal prayer life, who know how to get the mind of the Holy Spirit in different seasons of prayer. They are seasoned enough to know what is God’s voice and what is not God’s voice.

An apostolic church also fosters a corporate prayer life among its members. This would include regular prayer times among the elders and leaders of the church, corporate prayer times in the regular life and activities of the church and special seasons of prayer, fasting and waiting on God.

It is in the seasons of prayer and fasting that God often speaks to the church as a whole and gives the church His direction and agenda.

10. AN EQUIPPING CHURCH

The Antioch Church believed that the primary function of leaders was the raising up, equipping, and releasing of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12). They believed that every member had a function and they were committed to seeing every believer reach their destiny.

Leaders of apostolic churches cannot be jealous leaders who suppress other leaders in the church. They need to have confidence in their own calling in God and be willing to acknowledge the gifts and ministries in other people. They find joy in seeing others reach their own ministry, goals and destiny.

The Antioch Church believed in the laying on of hands for commissioning. They also believed in prophetic gatherings for the confirmation of a persons calling.

11. A WORLD/GLOBAL MINDED CHURCH

I am sure that the Antioch church had a vision for the city, but they also had a vision for the world. Antioch became the center for world missions and church planting teams. The Book of Acts only gives us the record of one of these teams, but we know that there were other teams doing the same thing. Paul and Barnabas began the first team. Later they split up and there were two teams, Paul and Silas and Barnabas and John Mark (Acts 15:39-40).

Apostolic churches use Acts1:8 as their pilot verse. They have a vision for Jerusalem or for their city. They have a vision for Judea or their region. They have a vision for Samaria, which includes ethnic groupings in their areas of influence. But they also have a vision for the world. They believe in world missionary activity that takes the gospel to the uttermost parts of the Earth (Acts 1:8, Psalm 2:8).

12. A RESPECTED CHURCH

The Antioch church became respected as a model for New Testament Christianity. It became a pattern for other churches to follow. It became a place where church disputes were settled. Several church councils were held in Antioch, and it was considered one of the top five churches in the world for many centuries to follow.

What a tremendous church! How does a church get to this place of prominence and influence? How does a church become an apostolic church?

The Foundation of the Antioch Church

A tremendous church must be built on a good foundation. The foundation of the Antioch Church must be in a place if any church is going to powder themselves after this early church.

The foundation of the Antioch Church followed five things. All of these things showed the quality of Christianity that was experienced between the believers who formed the membership of this great church.

The greatness of a church is not measured by the quality of its leaders, but by the quality of the average member who belongs to the church.

And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:21-26)

1. A turning to the Lord (Acts 11: 20-21)

When converts were added to the Lord in the Antioch church, there was a true turning. There was a turning away from sin and a turning onto the Lord. The Bible refers to this process as repentance. Repentance involves 180° turn. You can't turn to the Lord, unless you turn from something else. The New Testament Christianity involves turning from darkness to light. Turning from serving self to serving the living God.

Turning to the Lord, also involves coming into the right relationship with Jesus Christ, is the Lord of our lives. The Believers at Antioch turned the Lord. When we all accept his lordship, we acknowledge that he is the Lord of the universe, and he is lord overall. People love the blessings, and the miracles of Jesus, but when it came to the matter of lordship, they cried, we will not have this man reign over us. (Luke chapters 19-24; Luke 19:14… “We will not have this man to reign over us.”).

2. A living and joining with a purpose of the heart of the Lord (Acts 11:23)

The type of Believers that formed the foundation of the Antioch Church did not have a shallow commitment to the Church and to the work of the local church. They were people who faced the obstacle of the cross, and came to a complete surrender to Christ.

When [Barnabas] came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose. (Acts 11:23 ESV)

Other translations of Barnabas admonition to these believers include:

…and he continuously exhorted (warned, urged, and encouraged) them all to cleave unto and remain faithful to and devoted to the Lord with [resolute and steady] purpose of heart. - AMPC

…to make up their minds to be faithful to the master. - TCNT

…to remain with fixed, resolved, faithful to the Lord - WEY

…to be resolute and steadfast in their devotion to the Lord - God Speed,

…he made clear to them that need of keeping near the Lord, with all the strength of their hearts. - BAS

Barnabas was asking for a determination based on what you can se with your physical eyes, your vision. Their faith wasn't just another thing that they were involved with; it was in the center of their life. The word “cleave” means to be glue to; to attach yourself to. In the Greek is a description of a relationship between a husband and a wife. God is looking for a covenant relationship among his people.

3. A willingness to be taught (Acts 11:26)

The Believers at Antioch had a hunger for the Word of God. To satisfy this hunger it meant them going to meetings, gathering themselves together. The church was training together and searching the scriptures daily. Christ and the church were their whole life.

We all understand the concept of being balanced, but we may be so balance that we never move in any direction. The people in the church of Antioch viewed themselves as disciples, pupils and learners. This implies they had humility on their part, a hunger, a thirst and a recognition what they really needed in life was the Word of God, it provided everything they needed.

4. A responsiveness to the Lord (Acts 11: 27-29)

It is a beautiful way these Christians at Antioch responded to the Word of the Lord, they heard Gods voice and immediately responded. The Bible calls this being in hearer, and the doer of the Word of God (James 1:22-25). The prophet prophesies a famine that is several years off and they determined to send relief now. They did not even wait for the famine to come. I am sure the people of Jerusalem were amazed to get an offering for a famine they had not yet experienced. This was the heart of the Antioch church. There is simple obedience to the voice the Lord. There was no question that God would be able to lead them into many exploits for Him. Too many of us resist the will of God and find it a hard response to His leading. A church is no stronger than the people who are in it. Are we responsive and obedient? Can the Lord easily lead us? We should be able to say a firm yes to this question.

5. Genuine Christianity (Acts 11:26)

It is important to note that the Believers in Antioch were called “Christians”! They didn't call themselves Christians. No buttons, badges, or bumper stickers gave the signal to their faith.

They were called “Christians” because the life that these people lived reminded the people that were watching them of Jesus Christ.  They actually saw Jesus Christ and touched Him. They saw Him as He walked among them. These Believers in the Antioch Church reminded people of Jesus Christ.

A Christian is a follower of Christ. God is looking for people of faith who are willing to walk where Jesus walked, in all aspects of life. The members of the Antioch church were good Christians first, good Christ followers first and an apostolic church second.   

The Need Today

Every community in the world has the need for an Antioch Church. God wants many churches to accept the call and the unique challenge to be in Antioch Church for their region. God wants us all to lift our vision higher and see the world the way He does. He wants us to renew our passion for the great commission. God wants us to go into all the world and tell the world about His Son Jesus Christ.

Let us go win the lost souls and build more Antioch churches around the world. Let's work together to fulfill God's dream for the world.

Questions to ask yourself today

Am I strong enough to be in Antioch church?

If you said yes, then start discipling others to be a strong Christian like yourself.

Am I strong enough to start in Antioch Church?

If you said yes, this is awesome! Your ready!

If you said yes to both of these questions, then you are ready and you need to go and start building an Antioch Church.

Let us go and do exploits for God! Let us build His Kingdom!

THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH

A SPIRIT LED COMMUNITY

THAT ROCKED THE ROMAN WORLD

Pastor David Breed



Read Acts 11:19-30 - Acts 13:1-3 (if you don't have your Bible, see the bottom of this article)

What makes the Antioch Church so powerful and dynamic that it rocked the Roman world? And AD 42, many persecuted Christians in Jerusalem moved to Antioch and started a church. Antioch was the third largest city of the Roman empire with a population of more than 500,000 people. It was multi-religious and multicultural. Besides being a Regional Administrative Center for the Roman world, it was also the capital of Syria and a major trading and commercial center. It was rich, but was a very immoral city. Ironically, the church thrived as a powerful and dynamic center for God in Antioch, and had a spirit led community of believers.

Here are the reasons why it rocked the Roman world:

1. They were well disciplined in the Word of God (Acts 11:26)

Acts 11:26 (NLT) - Teaching Large Crowds

26 When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers[a] were first called Christians.)

The Antioch Church focused on the teaching of the Word of God. It says here that large crowds were taught the Word of God.

2. They were a strong team of godly leaders (Acts 13:1)

Acts 13:1 (NLT) - Barnabas and Saul Are Commissioned

13 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas[b]), and Saul.

The Antioch church had very strong and capable leaders who were filled with the Holy Spirit, and we're strong teachers of the Word of God. Prophets were also among them. Godly Believers and leaders like Barnabas and Saul of Tarsus were in their midst. The leaders were all united, full of the Holy Spirit, full of faith, focusing on God, and prayed together.

3. A God Centered Ministry (Acts 13:2)

Acts 13:2 (NLT)

2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”

They had a very strong, ministry and worship, prayer, fasting, and their ministry was well grounded in the Word of God. Each and every believer saw the ministry as a service to God, and to one another. It was never about themselves, but the focus was first on God and then serving others.

4. A radical obedience to the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:2-3)

Acts 13:2-3 - (NLT)

Consistently Listening, Praying and Obeying the Holy Spirit.

2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.

The Antioch church spent much time in worship, prayer and fasting. When the Holy Spirit prompted the church to ordain both Barnabas and Saul for a special work, they immediately released them to God and obeyed, even though the two men were important leaders of the church. They obeyed God when He spoke to them. They were quick to act on what the Holy Spirit told them to do.

5. They were Very Generous and had a Kingdom Mindset (Acts 11:27-30; 13:2-3)

Acts 11:27-30 (NLT) - Generous for the Kingdom

27 During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.) 29 So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters[a] in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. 30 This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.

Acts 13:2-3 (NLT) - Everything they did was for the Kingdom

2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.

In Acts 11: 27-30, a man called Agabus prophesied that there will be a famine. When Antioch Church heard this, they immediately offered their help. Through Barnabas and Saul they sent money to the believers in Judea. Judea was 444 miles away on the West Bank of Israel (Area west of Jerusalem), a week's journey from Antioch, Syria. They had a kingdom mindset and a heart to help. To them, the church in Judea was part of them.

The Antioch church became very powerful, influential, and it was the strongest church in the latter half of the first century. They were led by the Holy Spirit, strong in the Word of God, and effective in their God Centered ministry. Led by strong leaders and having a kingdom mindset, they reached out to fellow believers and nonbelievers alike. They were obedient when God instructed them to carry out His plans. At this church, we are the Body of Christ, and like the Antioch Church, everything we do is for the Kingdom of God!

Reading material; Acts 11:19- 30 and Acts 13:1-3 as mentioned at the beginning of this lesson

Acts 11:19-30 (NLT)

The Church in Antioch of Syria

19 Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. 20 However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles[a] about the Lord Jesus. 21 The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.

22 When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. 24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.

25 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. 26 When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers[b] were first called Christians.)

27 During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.) 29 So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters[c] in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. 30 This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.

Acts 13:1-3 (NLT)

Barnabas and Saul Are Commissioned

13 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”[a]), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas[b]), and Saul. 2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.

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