Read Acts 12:25 to Acts 13:52
Verses chosen for meditation: Acts 13: 1, 2-4, 9-12, 13, 48-52 ESV
1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem,
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Reflect
What do you know of the church at Antioch? Who were some of its early members?
How significant is the role of the Holy Spirit in missions?
What are the various forms of opposition to the Word and the work of God?
How dynamic is the Word of God?
How dynamic is the Holy Spirit?
Relate
The church at Antioch was a young church compared to its Jerusalem counterpart. The events recorded could have taken place some fifteen years after the Pentecost experience. Antioch itself was the third greatest city of the Roman empire at the time.
Though young, the church was growing fast. Some Jews had also fled from Jerusalem to Antioch in the wake of persecution. Altogether, a growing number of believers, including gentile believers, were making the nascent church their base. Among them were the foster brother of Herod and the man who helped Jesus carry the cross.
Initially sent to investigate the goings-on at the new church, Barnabas later stayed on to provide leadership to the fledgling church, which had him going to Tarsus looking for Paul. Some of the early leaders and members of the church at Antioch had their own first - hand encounters with Jesus, in the least likely of fashions for them to be a fabrication. These unique personal encounters certainly beat any church enrolment programme hands down. For it's not so much the courses that one attends, but the crosses that one carries.
The church at Antioch could be said to be the first missionary sending church of its kind. Both Paul and Barnabas had their send-offs from the church, marking it Paul's first missionary journey. It was here that both men were specially handpicked by the Holy Spirit for the mission and journey ahead.
We've seen in the earlier gospels how Jesus sent out his disciples. Here, we see the Holy Spirit setting apart individuals for mission and later sending them out in a similar fashion. We recall what Jesus said about himself having the authority to command his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. We recall as well what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit. He said that the Holy Spirit will glorify him and make known to us what the Spirit receives from him. (John 16: 14). In other words, Jesus endorses the work of the Holy Spirit, which in many ways complement the work of salvation. A good analogy will be that of a proxy, with the Spirit here acting as His proxy.
The Word and the work of God can never be thwarted, but they can be severely opposed. Therefore, there is deep assurance in knowing that the work is from God and according to his purpose. The same goes for the Word of God. It will not be returned empty but will accomplish what the Lord desires and achieve the purpose for which it was sent (Isaiah 55: 11).
As regards opposition, it can be spiritual in nature as in the case of the sorcerer trying to turn the proconsul from the faith. Or external as in how jealous the Jews were when they saw the crowd, leading them to contradict what Paul was saying and even heap abuse on him. Or internal, coming from within the group itself. Although not disruptive, at least not from what was recorded, Mark's sudden departure left room for speculations. A few postulations have been offered, ranging from his uneasiness over Paul's assumption of leadership midway into the journey to his assessment of Paul's unfitness physically to carry on after he had come down with what was thought to be malaria.
In this passage, there's also something to learn about the dynamism of the Word and the Holy Spirit. How in the midst of oppositions, the Word continued to flourish and the power of the Holy Spirit began to manifest more evidently. No counterforce of any kind could overcome either of them.
Many a time in missions as well as ministry, we are plagued by delays, inconveniences, slow progress and even oppositions. As the human agent, we're often affected by such setbacks, which is rather unfortunate as it shows that we have failed to appreciate the dynamism of the Word and the work of God, and also the Holy Spirit. As such, we can be the ones doing the great disservice instead.
Since we have been set apart for the work of the gospel and good works, let us not be the limiting factor in this grand endeavour. But even if we should be, the Lord's work will carry on for his Word thrives on and his Spirit powers on. So, count it our priviledge to be a part of this great and dynamic movement.
Rest
Lord, may we know that we have been set apart. And with that knowledge comes great responsibility. Whatever it is, nothing will ever thwart your plans. Not our human failings nor the oppositions to your work and Word. Let us also see more of the spirit of the church at Antioch in our churches today. And so be the model church once more for you.
Naville Chia
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