Acts 12:24 – 13:3
Acts 12:24 – 13:3 November 29, 2020
Acts 12:24 – 13:3
24 But the word of God increased and multiplied.
25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had
completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.
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. 1
As many of you know, I have been a sports fan for most of my life. Like many of you, I have favorite teams. In most cases the teams I cheer for have some geographic importance in my life.
The first Major League Baseball game I attended was in 1979 in Cincinnati. Since then, I have been a Reds fan. When I lived in Fort Worth, Texas I followed the Texas Rangers but really became a fan of the fairly new at the time NBA team Dallas Mavericks. Moving here in 1994 just a few months after the NFL awarded Jacksonville the Jaguars led me to buy teal T-shirts and caps and I have been a Jags fan since. As hard as that has been.
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ac 12:24–13:3). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
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Many of you are big-time college sports fans and your fandom runs deep. It may be because the first team you cheered for was the one your parents were fans of, so you inherited your fanaticism.
This type of fandom is truly part of the American experience it seems. For those of you who are not sports fans, have no desire to watch a game, cannot name a player on any team ever...bear with me. Even if you don’t care, it would be virtually impossible to live for any length of time in our nation without at least hearing of some crazy sports fan cheering for his/her chosen team or city.
So for those who get this, imagine your favorite team signing a player whom the fanbase had collectively hated for years. I know hate is a strong word, but you get it.
To cheer and consider someone as part of the team, as part of the home squad who just last season was jeering at your fans, seeking to do everything to defeat your home team is not easy. Of course, winning makes it easier, but initially it is more than challenging. It is cheering on, becoming a fan of, or considering someone part of the team, part of the hometown, part of the family whom you could not stand just a few months earlier.
I spoke of this a few weeks ago, but I wonder if we really understand the depths of grace and miraculous mercy that was displayed upon these very real people who had sacrificed all they knew and held dear to follow Christ.
And in this early church to actually have others join their team who prior were not only “playing for the opposing side” but were considered enemies. This is a depth of hatred that had to be erased and only could be done so through the power of the Holy Spirit and the cross of Jesus Christ.
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What occurs in the first century church is not meant to be solely a narrative historical account, but insight and truth to be lived out in Christ’s church even today.
While I do not believe our church has ever intentionally (at least not since I’ve been here and from those I know who pastored here prior, not under their shepherding) sought to be anything other than what God intends, the truth is that unless we continually come together in corporate worship to read the Word, study the Word, apply the Word, live out in worship to God for who he is and what he does, we can and will drift from who we are rescued to be, either through distraction or routine.
So, we look to the Word that gives us instruction and hope, and leads to life to see who the church was, who it is, and who we must always be.
1. The Diverse Church
The roll call in this passage is amazing. While the word “diverse” or “diversity” has been used by many in our culture today to refer to varying definitions that at times actually seem to affirm and accept sinfulness under the banner of “love and acceptance,” that is not the case in the church here in Acts nor today. The church does not, cannot, affirm sin for the sake of attractionalism. Some do and in such instances, the church is sinning and likely forfeiting its place as a true church.
Yet, the diversity seen in Acts 12 and 13 is amazing and holy.
- Barnabas (a Cyprian Jewish believer)
- Simeon called Niger (which means black or dark, likely
referring to his skin tone)
- Lucian (from Cyrene – North Africa)
- Manaen (brought up in Herod’s court, related to the royal upper
class, either a foster brother or relative of Herod Antipas.
- Saul (a Jewish believer – and former persecutor of the church.)
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These are not just folks in the church. These are leaders of the church. While the church is not built upon this decade’s version of attractional ministry (defined by having the best show, the coolest pastor, the biggest youth group, and the hottest band) it is attractional for this simple reason – THE GOSPEL ATTRACTS!
The people who responded to God’s gospel call are now not just a Cyprian Jew, a Jewish persecutor of the church, a North African, a black man, an uppity man with connections, or any other descriptor.
These men are brothers. They have a bond deeper than nationality, political party, skin tone, accents, hear languages, or style of dress. These men have a blood relationship through Christ that put them not only on the same team, but in the same family. Even in their diversity of background they have unity in the gospel.
The leaders of this church reflected the people in the church. The city of Antioch had great diversity. Therefore, the church in Antioch did as well. All were welcome in the church regardless of their background and the entry to membership was the same for all – the ONE way who is Jesus Christ.
Diversity within the body has an attractional dimension to it and rightly experienced, it never ignores sin, never waters down the scripture, and does not avoid biblical truth.
2. The Worshipping Church
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.”
Worship must not be simply a service we attend, but a state of the heart, in submission to the One worthy of our praise. Not just in
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song, but absolutely in song. Not just in teaching, but definitely in teaching. Not just in actions, but certainly in our actions.
The church who does not worship is a sinning church.
It is through worshipping our Lord our hearts affection and mind’s attention is focused on the things above.
We must intentionally put to death our old ways (this means murder them, not baptize them) and set our minds on things above.
Paul spoke of this to the Colossians.
Colossians 3:1-3
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.2
As the church worships, our hearts open up to God’s call. There is no denying it in the corporate gathering. We come together not because we have a right to, but because it is right to.
The church must worship (and this has nothing to do with personal preference of music style or songs.) It has everything to do with our position as worshippers together before the Lord.
3. The Sending Church
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.
2 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Col 3:1–3). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. 5
Just in case you thought sending missionaries and supporting these men and women who serve overseas was a new idea. In case you thought church planting was a trending Southern Baptist concept that we hitched our wagon up to most recently. For those who are wondering what the “next big thing” is for the church when it comes to mission trips, church expansion, and activities.
Here’s the truth – what some see as new is what we have been doing for two-thousand years.
In fact, the church that does nothing by gather and turn inward is clearly sinning. Even a “mission-minded” church that focuses here primarily by wrongly misinterpreting the “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the world” command as meaning “Focus at home first and when that’s done, then go” is not only mistaken in its missiology, but willingly and intentionally sinning by ignoring the call and command to the church.
I had the privilege of joining a private prayer meeting on a Zoom call last week. I cannot tell you who was on the call or where they serve, but suffice to say there were young couples who had been sent by various churches in our denomination (here’s a good reminder – the mission boards do NOT send missionaries. Churches do) to areas where Jesus is not proclaimed by the masses, churches are not on every corner, to be a Christian is not just a novelty, but dangerous. These young couples with little children in these boxes on this Zoom call were sharing of their work, their struggles, and for some, their longing to get past COVID not so they can be comfortable again, but so they can engage with the lostness around them in person.
I was overwhelmed.
I was honored to be on the call.
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I was amazed at the boldness of faith on display.
And I was reminded that the church, while worshipping, will rightly hear God’s voice, set apart the called, lay hands upon them, pray for them, support them, provide for them AND send them.
The church is a sending church and the church who never sends is missing God’s call.
CONCLUSION
First Baptist Church of Orange Park has a mission. It is the same as the church in Acts. It is the same as every gospel-centered, obedient church on the planet today.
We exist to glorify God by surrendering fully to his lordship and joining in his work, while living as authentic, joyful believers.
As we do this, the diversity within the body is clear and shows that we love God fully and all people clearly. We love where we live and where he is calling us to make home and that is why we must send our best to serve – here and wherever he calls because this church we love is the church God loves and he desires multiplication – for his glory! Alone.
For this we are thankful.
Footnotes
