The church of God made up of all believers began in Jerusalem (Acts 2). All who professed Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord were baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Church (Acts 11:16), sealed for eternity as God’s Child. (Ephesians 1:13). The spreading of the Gospel from Jerusalem occurred through persecution forcing the people out of Jerusalem. Ultimately it did spread to the Samaritans and ultimately about 10 years later to the Gentiles (although along the way a few Gentiles were saved). The Church met with great opposition in Jerusalem as the Jewish leaders banned with the Roman Governors, desiring to destroy the church. Meanwhile, an unlikely church grew in Antioch, a metropolitan multi-cultural city laden with sin. Antioch would become the epicenter of the church. From there God called out Barnabas and Paul to begin His Missionary work of spreading the gospel to the nations.
What were the characteristics of this first Missionary Church? The church at Antioch was a very devoted, Spirit led church made up of a diverse, yet spiritually united group of people. As chapter 13 begins, we truly get a flavor for their diversity. It was made up of certain prophets and teachers: as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger (Black), Lucias of Cyrene (Africa), Manaen which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul” (Acts 13:1). Therefore, the leaders of this church were black, white, poor, wealthy, Jew and Gentile. No discrimination of persons lay within this church. Afterall, note how even the foster brother of Herod the Tetrarch, who beheaded John the Baptist. Hence, he grew up in the household of Herod the Great who murdered the babies in Bethlehem and Herod his Grandson who had just murdered the Apostle James. Then there was Saul.
Characteristics of the Missionary Church
Obviously, as noted above they were free of prejudice. Furthermore, we know that they were a generous church. When their prophets foretold of a famine to come over Jerusalem, they gathered up money and supplies. These were sent to Jerusalem by way of Saul and Barnabas, who returned with John Mark. This all occurred at about the time that the apostle James was executed, Peter imprisoned awaiting his execution. Peter was released miraculously from the prison as we read last time. Then Herod, as he presented himself as one to be worshipped, died suddenly at God’s hand “because he gave not God the glory” (Acts 12:23).
Beyond their being a diverse and generous church, the church at Antioch was a spirit led church. We see this very clearly in verse 2,3 of Acts 13: “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. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.’”
It was the Holy Spirit who called them and sent them forth as missionaries; yet, it was the church who separated them from their duties there so they might go. Most likely they were also placing their hands on them symbolic of their unity with the work they were setting off to do. Financially, they may have also blessed them so they could depart on their missionary journey. Certainly, they had no power of their own to give them; but knew that the power for the ministry was from God. The Holy Spirit would be their guide. Whatever perils lay ahead, the ministry was God’s Missionary Work to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Barnabas and Saul, Missionaries for God
So, God chose Barnabas and Saul (Paul) and sent them forth together on this first missionary journey. We have already been told of the characteristics of Barnabas. When he was first introduced, his name was Jose—however, the apostles surnamed him “Barnabas-which is being interpreted the son of consolation” (Acts 4:36). He was the first in Jerusalem to willingly accept Saul and take him to meet with Peter. In fact, you can even here the enthusiasm in his presentation of Saul to the apostles. “Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.” (Acts 9:27). He was sent to Antioch to help with the new church there.
When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. (Acts 11:23-26).
God chose Barnabas and Saul (who would soon be surnamed Paul) to go forth to be missionaries primarily to the Gentile Nation. They would prove to be the ones bold enough to stand up for truth, regardless of the circumstances they would face.
Characteristics of a Missionary for God
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God Focused.
God is Everything Good, Glorious, and one’s greatest treasure. Both Barnabas and Paul knew this. Nothing else mattered as much as knowing Christ Jesus. As Paul wrote: Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ (Philippians 3:8).
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Called by the Holy Spirit.
In order to truly hear that call as a missionary, one must be filled with the Holy Spirit. Every believer has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation; but to be FILLED with the Holy Spirit, one must die to self-daily so that the spirit is #1 in our hearts and minds. We grow in the wisdom and the power of the Holy Spirit as we keep our eyes focused on Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is always about the work of transforming these human hearts of stone into ones that look like Jesus Christ. we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18).
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Passion for What God Loves
This goes very closely with #1—to be God focused; but is worth repeating here. We see throughout the lives of Barnabas and Paul this characteristic as John Piper describes so beautifully in his book God is the Gospel. All the promises, all the glimpses of God’s Glory and all His gifts come for one great reason. “that you might behold forever the glory of God in Christ, and by beholding become the kind of person who delights in God above all things, and by delighting display His supreme beauty and worth with ever-increasing brightness and bliss forever.”1
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Humility-
Humility truly comes from knowing that all that I have is from the Lord Jesus Christ. When we truly see even a glimpse of God’s glory and righteousness we must cry out as did Isaiah. “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. (Isaiah 6:5). Paul, who had once been proud was humbled. Now, he was willing to go wherever God said go and to preach to whomever God said preach to. Are we?
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Love for the lost and dying.
Anyone who possesses the first 4, must also possess a love for the lost to be an effective missionary. All too often, we love those whom we get along with; but do we really love those whom are difficult to love? Oh, that one day I might have a heart that is like His!! I fear, this heart of mine is still at times too pettish, too self-exalting and too desirous of comfort here and now.
Concluding Thoughts
Where is God calling you to be a missionary for Him? Is it at work or the neighbor next door? Is there even one person that he has laid on your heart to pray and witness to? Then go tell that one of the news of the gospel. We need to each of us pray that we might have the heart of a missionary.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits:
[1] John Piper, God is the Gospel, 2005, ( Crossway , Wheaton, IL) page 38
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