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In Acts 13, Saul and Barnabas, having been called by God and set apart by the fellowship at Antioch, sail for Salamis in Cyprus. They have young John Mark with them as an apprentice. This became the normal pattern. Two men go out together to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and teach the Word of God, and they take a younger man with them so that he can observe and learn from the more mature men of God. This is how we learn to minister.

We can learn some things in the Colleges and Universities, but normally we only begin to learn how to minister in the love of Jesus…  ( Click for more )

A Famine of the Word of God (Amos 8.11-12)

Amos' preaching proved too much for Amaziah, priest of Bethel. In fact he was so disturbed that he "invited" Amos to leave the country. Hear his words to Amos: "Go, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah. There eat bread and there prophesy. But never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is the royal residence." (Amos 7.12-13).

But Amaziah was not the only one who did not appreciate the message that Amos had for Israel. The greedy men of Israel observed the feast days and the Sabbaths,…  ( Click for more )

We have spent some considerable time looking in detail at the significance of these five men spending time Worshipping, Praying and Fasting in the opening words of Acts 13. There is good reason for doing so because God speaks, and that Prayer Meeting becomes a major turning point for the local fellowship at Antioch and also for the Church of Jesus Christ - and ultimately for the world. These men knew when to say 'NO' and when to say 'YES'.

When a group of spiritually minded people meet to do business with God, anything can happen. Also, we need to be reminded that…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 13 we continue to study various aspects of leadership and how men of God respond positively to the moving of the Holy Spirit. Saul was under the authority of the other elders. Saul was submitted to the authority of the others.

Nobody is allowed to run around the Church of Jesus Christ doing what he or she wants. We are subject to those over us. That is why some rebel. Some want to do what they like, when they like, and at a time that suits them. The Church of Jesus Christ allows no such selfishness. We come under the authority of Jesus, as we place ourselves…  ( Click for more )

We are spending time studying leadership as we read these opening words in Acts 13.

Consider for a moment Moses in the wilderness, leading two and a half million men and women and children for 40 years, being led by a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. When you see the pillar move - you move.

Can you imagine Moses thinking or even saying, "Lord, can You not just tell me Your Plans for the next month? Lord, show me Your Diary! And the reply comes, "No - just keep your eye on the pillar." He is led safely and securely - sheltered by day…  ( Click for more )

Through prayer and fasting these five spiritual leaders in Acts 13 become more sensitive to the prompting and leading and guidance of The Holy Spirit. God wants to direct The Church in a very specific way at this time. These men of God knew how to control their appetites and their physical desires. They were strong enough to control themselves. They were not men who could be easily influenced by external situations and circumstances. They were not men who were easily influenced by flimsy fashions and changing ideas and ideologies and philosophies.

They knew how to…  ( Click for more )

When these five leaders in the Church of Jesus Christ in Antioch, in Acts 13, meet together in worship, prayer and fasting, God speaks, saying, "Send out two of your best men into the world. Release two of your men. Yes, I know you only have five - release two - let them go - don't hold on to them." That is very seldom easy.

They were hearing from God as they worshipped and fasted and prayed, and they shared what they heard, and they did what God asked them to do.

This is how The Word of God flows into the world. We come to hear what GOD has to say, and then…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 13 we read of five men, meeting in Antioch. They are leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ in Antioch. They are pastors - elders - overseers - bishops - all the same word. These 'titles' are interchangeable in the New Testament. Now to understand this is vital. A Pastor is an Overseer - an Elder and Bishop - or, a Foreman.

Resulting from misunderstanding and inaccurate translation and use of words we have constructed denominations. This is not a minor matter. It is not some superficial issue.

These five men are praying and fasting - five men from very…  ( Click for more )

Acts 13. These are the five men raised up by Jesus Christ to lead and pastor those who had come to know Jesus as Saviour and Lord.

They were prophets and teachers. They were able to prophesy - able to speak an immediate inspired word - able to speak a spontaneous word from God for a specific situation - to guide - encourage - give direction.

These five men are meeting together - worshipping the Lord Jesus and fasting - and God speaks to them. "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

God continues to speak. When…  ( Click for more )

Acts 13:1-2. These five elders in the Church at Antioch are named. Barnabas - here he is again - he was a man of faith. He was a man who was filled with The Holy Spirit - a man who was always going around encouraging others. This is the man who knew how to give generously. This is the man who took aside Saul of Tarsus and found out that Saul had really met the Risen Lord Jesus Christ - and then introduced him to the Church in Jerusalem, as being real and genuine.

And now, Barnabas is a leader in a growing fellowship. He is an elder, and there is no higher office in the…  ( Click for more )

In these opening verses of Acts 13, we have a most beautiful picture of leadership in the local Church where we read of five men ministering unto the Lord - five men worshipping the Living God - five men of God meeting together for prayer and fasting.

Here is a picture of spiritual leadership. Here is a pattern, which is an example for anyone who wants to be a leader or teacher in The Church of Jesus Christ.

These are the five leaders of that Christian Fellowship in Antioch, which is emerging as an important centre of The Christian Faith.

We have seen how Antioch…  ( Click for more )

Acts 12:18. The scene is a prison in Jerusalem from which Peter has been miraculously set free during the night. There was quite a commotion in the morning. They had searched the prison for Peter. Every sentry and guard who had been on duty that night, with the responsibility of looking after Peter, was killed.

The scene changes again, north to the coast at Caesarea. Herod moves to Caesarea. He is the grandson of the Herod who murdered all the children of two and under when Jesus was born, and the nephew of the Herod who killed John the Baptist.

Do you see…  ( Click for more )

Acts 12. King Herod is preparing to kill Peter, but it is futile to attempt to oppose the work of Jesus Christ, and Jesus has much for Peter yet to do. All this is going on and Peter is sleeping in a Jerusalem jail.

An angel of The Lord appears and the light of God is shining in that prison.

The angel touches Peter, awakens him, and says, "Quick - get up" - and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. "Dress yourself. Put on your shoes. Follow me." How is that for giving commands! The gates and doors open. Chains and gates are no problem to our God.

Peter…  ( Click for more )

We are in Acts 12 where Peter is in prison. His friend and colleague James has been killed - James (or Jacob, the brother of John) - and famine has been prophesied.

Humanly speaking, things were not looking at all good for The Church of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem. It appeared a bit of a disaster and in one sense it all looked like total failure, as Herod's intention was to pick off the leadership one by one.

But, someone called the Church to prayer. The recognised leader was in jail, and another leader was aware of the precarious situation and called The Church…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 12, we read of James being killed by Herod and Peter being arrested and imprisoned in Jerusalem. When we come close to Jesus, this is part of the deal. This is in the small print of which we are not always aware when we come to faith in Jesus Christ, but there is a Cross to carry, and sometimes it becomes exceedingly heavy. Some will love you - some will hate you.

The first wave of persecution was against the whole Church, and one positive consequence was that it got the Church on the move. But now the leaders are being molested and persecuted with the intention…  ( Click for more )

As we leave Acts 11 and move into Acts 12, from one angle everything appears to be so wonderful, but not so, as we read on.

Back in Jerusalem King Herod unleashes another wave of persecution. After a lull - following a time of peace, Herod had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. That must have caused a shudder to run through the Jerusalem fellowship.

So often in the life and ministry of Jesus, we read of Peter James and John. These three seemed to be closer to Jesus than some of the others among the twelve. These three had been present on…  ( Click for more )

As we come to the end of Acts 11, let's take time to consider how that young Church of Jesus Christ in Antioch was such a model fellowship, and an example for us today.

[list=1]Persecuted disciples of Jesus Christ make their home in Antioch and influence many in the community. They are so eager to hear The Word of God and receive teaching from those who were just a little bit further along the way than the others. They are open to the Holy Spirit - open to prophecy and a word of knowledge. There is an obedience to those in authority. These true believers are willing…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 11:26, these disciples of Jesus Christ were always talking about their Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ, and in Antioch they were first called Christians - 'little anointed ones' - 'little Christs'.

It is a peculiar fact today, that you can bring the name of Jesus Christ even into some Church meetings, and people can become embarrassed and uncomfortable. Not so in Antioch.

Their lives were so different from other people's lives, in so many ways. They were distinctly different - by their love - their joy - their compassion - their openness - the way they…  ( Click for more )

Acts 11:25. For a whole year, Barnabas and Saul (Paul) teach in that Church in Antioch. Many heard and received the teaching.

First - you hear about Jesus - you come to believe - then you need nourishing teaching which will build you up - and enable you to grow and mature.

The Church of Jesus Christ is where men of God teach the Word of God to the people of God. That is one reason why we in Nairn meet on Sundays and Wednesdays. We also meet to Worship - and Pray - and Fellowship.

There is a generation growing up in our land, which hardly knows…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 11:22, some were obviously wondering what was happening and going on up in Antioch, a city which had a reputation for sin! So they sent Barnabas - an excellent choice. He was the man who was always going around encouraging disciples. He was the man who interviewed and introduced the converted and anointed Saul of Tarsus to the fellowship in Jerusalem.

When Barnabas arrived in Antioch, he liked what he saw. What did he see? He saw the evidence of the Grace of God. He saw the love of Jesus Christ and the power of The Holy Spirit in the lives of those new believers…  ( Click for more )

Acts 11. Disciples of Jesus Christ had fled to Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch. They spoke to Jews to begin with, and then it opened up to Greeks, and they heard the good news about the Lord Jesus.

We do not come into all the truth right away - we are always learning - growing - developing - maturing. Some of these scattered disciples thought the message about Jesus was only for Jews - even though it was the Jews which had caused them to flee. Then, others came opening up the Gospel for all. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for you and for those around you - graciously…  ( Click for more )

We have reached Acts 11:19. Let's take time to review and see how The Word of God has been spreading so far.

Recapitulation can be an important aspect of education and learning and understanding.

There had been this most violent wave of persecution against The Church of Jesus Christ, and this caused The Church to grow, in various dimensions.

In these verses we learn some important principles. Saul, being confronted by the risen Jesus, spends these first three days praying and fasting, and receives ministry from a new friend, brother Ananias, and is given…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 11, Peter is answering the questions of the apostles and disciples back in Jerusalem who had been wondering whatever Peter had been up to in the home of a Roman Army Centurion, a Gentile, a non-Jew, in Caesarea. Peter takes time to explain exactly and precisely and calmly what actually happened, and he stuck to the facts. Just as we were Baptised in The Holy Spirit, at the very beginning on the day of Pentecost, so were these Gentiles, in Caesarea, with similar signs following - the same as we experienced.

If God was giving them the same gift as He gave us, who…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 11, the apostle Peter is having his ministry thoroughly examined because of what happened in the home of Cornelius. His fellow apostles back in Jerusalem did not know what actually happened, and it is always unwise to act on mere rumour. Always seek to get at the facts. Get at the truth. Truth is the actual state of affairs, as contrasted with rumour or false report, or myth, or legend. And the truth fits every situation. We can apply that to the whole of the Bible. None of us can afford to build our life upon rumour or myth or legend.

Peter helps these…  ( Click for more )