Get Close To The Lord

Holy Spirit Called #1

Acts 13:1-3
“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. 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.”

The book of acts seems to be divided into two parts. Chapters 1-12 has Peter as the main character. Whereas here in chapter 13 we find Paul coming on the scene. Now this city was introduced to us in chapter 11 where the believers were first called Christians. The work of the New Testament Church in Antioch was not a new endeavor separated from the work of faith among the Jews. But rather it was a continuation of what had gone on before.

Now in these verses we find the Bible pattern for New Testament missions. We see where the Lord gave us the pattern for the church to follow in this matter of missions. I believe that the local church is to be in this matter of missions and mission boards. Paul and Barnabas were called by the Holy Spirit. We have reference here to the members of the local church at Antioch. Notice first of all that it was a local church. You say, “I don’t see why you need to be so local church minded.” The reason is because it is the local church that is God’s ordained organization to reach people for Christ in this age. If this is not so then why did God direct 18 out of 27 New Testament books toward the local church?

Romans 16:4,5
“Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches that is in their house...”

I Corinthians 1:2
“Unto the church of God which is at Corinth...”

II Corinthians. 1:1
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth...”

Galatians 1:2
“And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia."

Ephesians 3:21
“Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.”

Phillipians 1:1
“Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.”

Collosians 4:16
“And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans...”

I Thessalonians 1:1
“Paul and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

I Timothy 5:15
“ But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

II Timothy is written to a pastor.

Titus 1:5
“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.”

Philemon vs. 2
“And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house.”

Hebrews 13:7
“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.”

I Peter 5:13
“The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doeth Marcus my son. “

I John 2:19
“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us...”

III John vs. 6 & 9
“Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey...I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes who loveth to have the preeminence among them receiveth us not.”

Revelation 1:4
“John to the seven churches which are in Asia...”

Therefore I believe that the local church should take its direction and instruction from the Bible.

Russell Stolp
Chaplain, CFO

Psalm 37:4 "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy
ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.