(v.1) "Now there were in the Church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers;as Barnabas and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen,which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch and Saul.(v.2)And 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'. (v.3)And when they had fasted and prayed,and laid their hands on them,they sent them away."
There are several keys to take note of here... 1.) Missionary work should be carried out .... (a) By anyone God Calls...not a special elite. (b) Under the Guidance of The Holy Spirit. (c) Visiting strategic centres, spreading the Good News into the surrounding area. 2.) Missionary work should utilise... (a) Team evangelism,using associate workers. (b) The unique giftings of each team member. (c) The whole Church in prayer and practical support. It has been quoted;'A true Church is a Witnessing Church', a statement this Ministry wholeheartedly endorses! A friend of mine once said ...'if you've got something worth hearing, speak out!, if not , shut up!' Too many Churches, today, do not even know what an evangelism programme is, let alone have one to implement !!!
We can actually distill the essential role of the Church into 2 main Objectives...(1) To make disciples (2) To be His witnesses.All that is done needs to be weighed against these two criteria. Otherwise, secondary issues will begin to crowd out these clearly defined goals;(Matt.28:18-20).Indeed, the question could justifiably be raised in many places today...'Have we plot the lost?...or lost the plot? ...!!!
In a few short years, one generation in fact, the early Church was established right through the civilised world!The joys and sorrows,as well as the triumphs and tragedies, of their experience, contributed to the continued growth and maturity of the early Church.From it's beginnings in the Religious Capital-Jerusalem, to it's end at the Political Capital-Rome,this Book of Acts (of The Holy Spirit),shows us clearly what a N/T Church should provide......... (1.) Teaching...(The uncompromised Word of God.) (2.)Fellowship...(Unreserved, unashamed,unconditional .) (3.) Ordinances...(Breaking of Bread and Baptism.) (4.) Worship and Prayer;(in Spirit and in Truth.)
Of course,the end of the Book of Acts is one thing,but The Church continues, until the Divinely Appointed time.... (1 Thess.4:15-17). In the Gospel of John, we read the Words of Jesus..."As The Father has sent Me, so send I you. "(John 20:21).The secret of hearing accurately from God, on this crucial issue, was prayer AND fasting, on behalf of the Church Leadership... The question remains...'can those in authority pay the price, to exemplify true spiritual leadership??? May The Lord Bless us with the Grace to do HIS will on behalf of HIS people, in HIS way and timing, in this day in which we live. .........................................................................................