Envisioning Antioch

On Sunday Pastor Fule drew on a prophetic word spoken over our church last year, comparing the soul of our asembly to the church at Antioch, which was formed by some of the early disciples of Christ, as they fled the persecution in Jerusalem, Judea.

What was the church at Antioch like?
We know that it was filled with committed believers, so committed that they would flee their homes rather than renounce the new covenant to find acceptability in Jerusalem. We know they carried the message of salvation with them and spread it. We read that the hand of God was with them, which means that there was manifest proof of the acts of God as they ministered, just as had followed the ministry of Jesus and the Apostles. Only this time the acts followed ordinary believers or disciples. Jesus had said earlier, "These signs shall follow those who believe....." What signs? Find them in Mark Chapter 16.

We read of some members of the church at Antioch. We see Manaen who was in some way connected or raised with Herod the tetrarch. We can imaginethat there was aristicracy or even royalty among the believers. We also read of Simeon Niger, who was to our imagination black, an immigrant from Africa or India? We are told of the great evangelsists, Barnabas and Paul who were ministers of the gospel and members of the community of believers. We can imagine a vibrant and diverse community of believers.

We know they spent time teaching, minstering and in prayer and fasting. We know they were able to receive the mind and will of God. We also know that they must have had an abundance of the giftings of the Holy Spirit, for in response to a word from God they prayed and released Paul and Barnabas to missions, overland and over seas. They were open to the apostolic minisry, they grew into maturity and into leadership such that sending Paul and Barnabas away was possible without diminishing the church. They must have been givers for they must have supported the mission of Paul and Barnabas financially.

It is interesting that it was in Antioch that the beleievers were first called Christians. What does Christian mean today? Would you say: Christ followers, or Christlike, or little Christ or Christ- people. This is Christ!

As we think of Antioch we will and wish our church to be such a cutting edge church, growing Christians, (from every nationality, community and position) on the word and in prayer and the Spirit of Christ; sending out, doing and suporting missions and good works, as the hand of our God is with us.

Are we challenged to press in toward this vision? Will we particpate by meeting together as the household of Christ, studying, praying and doing the will of God in the good works he leads us to? Will we engage in ministry toward Christ and for our community, including the elderly, the sick, children, friends and neighbours? Antioch is in our vision!