Life on Mission: Diversity in Unity

Our first text this week comes from Acts 13:1-3…

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. 

  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.” 

           Then after fasting and praying

           they laid their hands on them

                                  and sent them off.

I offer a few simple observations on this passage before we move to Romans 12.

First, we would be amiss if we failed to notice the diverse (both multi-ethnic and multi-class) group of men listed as leaders in the church of Antioch.

• Barnabas is listed first, likely since he was sent from Jerusalem to assist in the development of the church. We know that he was a native of Cyprus and had the nickname, “Son of Encouragement” and was “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (11:24).
• Simeon called Niger (a Latin word for "dark") so literally “Simeon the Dark”, may actually be a variant spelling of the Simon of Cyrene who carried Jesus’ cross (Mt. 27:32; Mk 15:21; Lk 23:26). Cyrene is an area in North Africa west of Egypt and east of ancient Carthage in what is now modern Libya.
• Lucius of Cyrene was likely one of the original persecution-driven evangelists who came to Antioch and founded the church as mentioned in an earlier post (Acts 11:19-20).
• Manaen whose name means “comforter” is described as “a life-long friend of Herod the tetrarch” and may refer to a foster child brought into a royal home as a permanent playmate for an heir. This gives us insight into how the gospel was reaching higher-class homes as well.
• Saul (of Tarsus the Jewish name of Paul) had been sought out by Barnabas and brought to Antioch to help with the heavy load of teaching (11:25-26). The name “Saul” is used here, in this narrative, for the last time except for when Paul is recounting his own conversion story. From the middle of Chapter 13 on, Saul is known as Paul.

Robertson comments on the phrase, Prophets and teachers (v.1), “All prophets are teachers, but not all teachers are prophets who were for-speakers of God, sometimes fore-speakers like Agabus in 11:28.” If only all our teachers functioned prophetically as well!

Second, there was shared leadership in the church and their focus was obeying the Lord and working for the good of all. Multiple leadership, through the “prophets and teachers,” is probably not exhaustive of all the gifts and callings operating in Antioch at that time.

Third, the Church was notified that Paul and Barnabas were being “reassigned” by the Holy Spirit himself, either through the prophets in their midst or within all their hearts. Such direction came in a time of worshipping the Lord together. Luke uses the word leitourgeo for worship. While originally used “for those who served the state at their own cost. Here of prayer, exhortation, fasting.” The sending of Paul and Barnabas was not the idea of the church but the revelation of the Spirit. However, they readily confirmed their commission. Lloyd Ogilvie once wrote of the value of such community confirmation of leading.

Over the years I have found that my best decisions have been made when I thought and felt a direction through prolonged prayer and consecrated thinking, and then waited for a spontaneous, unsolicited affirmation of that through some person who I know prays for me consistently. The combination seldom fails to be right.[1]

Fourth, the church willingly sent them off for a specific purpose. I “Dad-joked” in my message that they were sent off into the sunset “on a spotted horse,” since the Greek word for “sent” is ἀπέλυσαν  or “appaloosan” which sounds like the famous horses bred by the Nez Pierce nation in the American west. Humor aside, Marshall points out that,

"The importance of the present narrative is that it describes the first piece of planned ‘overseas mission’ carried out by representatives of a particular church, rather than by solitary individuals, and begun by a deliberate church decision, inspired by the Spirit, rather than somewhat more casually as a result of persecution." [2]

Peterson also adds an important concept regarding discerning and releasing leadership,

"Effective Christian leaders will likewise see the need to discern God’s gifting for ministry in others, to support (and where necessary to train) those whom God is leading to local ministry or mission elsewhere, and to affirm them by acts of ordination or commissioning (14:23; 1 Tim. 4:14; 5:12; 2 Tim. 2:2; Titus 1:5-9)... 

    The revelation of the Holy Spirit in 13:2 was God’s way of showing the leaders of the church something of his plan for Barnabas and Saul, so that they might willingly release them from their responsibilities at Antioch and prayerfully support them in their God-given mission." [3]

The church in Antioch modeled a releasing ministry. They didn’t hold too tightly to their leaders nor did they send them out with no hope of return. It was not an exclusion from the body, but releasing to a specific Spirit-anointed ministry from which Paul and Barnabas would return and report. Acts 14:26 says that they “had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled.” After they had completed that mission the team returned to Antioch to report and allow them to hear the results of their sacrifice and prayer.

If the church is called to live a life on mission, then what should that life look like? Paul later wrote a letter to the church in Rome that answered just such a question.

Romans 12: A picture of their Redeemed Life Together (on Mission)

A) “A Living Sacrifice” (12:1-2)

     I appeal to you therefore, brothers, 

                              by the mercies of God, 

                   to present your bodies as a living sacrifice,         

                     holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 

    Do not be conformed to this world, 

        but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,

                                that by testing you may discern

                             what is the will of God,

        what is good and acceptable and perfect.

We are not our own property…we have been bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

Paul and company realized that they were in the service of the true King and went where they were sent. Their lives were living sacrifices, for the advancement of God’s kingdom.

Worship is the act of our whole life as an expression of love unto Jesus Christ.

“But there is more to be said, because when man is made right with his Maker, he needs to know what difference this makes in his relations with his fellowmen. He needs to know what is expected of him and how to apply his new resources to all the situations confronting him. This last main section of the Epistle is designed to meet these needs (cf. Eph 4:1).” [Richard N. Longenecker in EBC]

Though Greek thought was prone to consider the body the receptacle containing the soul, this was not the Hebraic concept, which viewed man as a unit. So it should be clear that Paul is not urging the dedication of the body as an entity distinct from the inner man. Rather, he views the body as the vehicle that implements the desires and choices of the redeemed spirit. It is essential for making contact with the society in which the believer lives. Through the body we serve. [EBC]

Complementary to the refusal to be conformed to the pattern of this world is the command to be "transformed." The two processes are viewed as going on all the time, a continual renunciation and renewal. Our pattern here is Christ, who refused Satan's solicitations in the temptation and was transfigured (metamorphoo—the same word as that translated "transformed") in his acceptance of the path that led to Calvary (Mark 9:2, 3).

B) They are Gifts of Grace not Because of our Face (v.3)

  For by the grace given to me

                                 I say to everyone among you 

                not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think,

                but to think with sober judgment, 

                                    each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 

Longenecker notes “that one's faith should provide the basis for a true estimation of himself, since it reveals that he, along with other believers, is dependent on the saving mercy of God in Christ... To be sure, that ought to induce humility.” [EBC] Have we gotten that message? Does our faith lead us in humility to kneel before the cross or has that idea been reduced to a sticker on the back window of somebody else's truck? To what degree are we trusting Jesus for our salvation?

C) All for One, and One for All (v. 4-8)

  For as in one body we have many members, 

                                            and the members do not all have the same function, 

                        so we, though many, are one body in Christ,

                               and individually members one of another. (v.4-5)

“Three truths are here set forth:

• the unity of the body; 
• the diversity of its members, with corresponding diversity in function; and, 
• the mutuality of the various members— “each member belongs to all the others." [Romans 12:4 in Expositors Bible Commentary or EBC]

Does our life together embody such ideals? Or are we merely a voluntary collection of individuals seeking to meet our own needs in proximity to others?

         Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us,

                             let us use them:

  if                   prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 

  if                   service,     in our serving;

  the one who teaches,    in his teaching; 

  the one who exhorts,     in his exhortation;

  the one who contributes, in generosity; 

  the one who leads,        with zeal [diligence];

  the one who does acts of mercy,

                                         with cheerfulness. (v. 6-8)

Let’s take time today to affirm such gifts in our midst!

Prophecy: the nature of the gift is not primarily prediction, but the communication of revealed truth that will both convict and build up the hearers.

Service: the narrower meaning of service as a ministration to the material needs of believers is probable here. The need for this to be led without discrimination is evidenced in Acts 6 when the church quickly corrected its internal inequity. Some are gifted in the practical leadership of helping ministries.

Teaching: The EBC helpfully explains that the likely aim in such “teaching” was to give help in the area of Christian living rather than formal instruction in doctrine, “even though it must be granted that the latter is needed as a foundation for the former… Paul himself gives a notable example of teaching in verses 9-21. In the latter part of this section, his considerable use of the Old Testament suggests that early Christian teachers were largely dependent on it for their instruction.” [EBC]

Exhorting: is the translation of the Greek paraklesis, which has a variety of meanings. Only the context can indicate whether the most suitable rendering is "encouragement", "exhortation", or "comfort." Assuredly some encouragement could be included, but exhortation seems to be the dominant meaning. [EBC]

Contributes: Refers not so much to the regular tithes and offerings which are given in worship gatherings but to private giving to another person in need. Another aspect of such giving is that it is done with “simplicity, without pretense, without looking down on the other] with singleness of heart, free of mixed motives, without regret (over having given so much).” [EBC]

Leadership: is the translation of a word that means to stand before others, so the idea of governing derives readily from it. The need is for one to carry out his ministry "diligently." Even in church work, some people are tempted to enjoy the office rather than use it as an avenue for diligent service. [EBC] How quick are we to use our leadership gifts to serve others instead of elevating ourselves? As we have seen in our political leadership, some leaders are quick to decide for themselves what is best for the people and manifest such leadership in condescending or elitist tones. The word diligence (spoudē) suggests not only a quickness to help but a steadfastness in continuing to help however needed over the long-term.

Acts of Mercy: This is not another reference to generosity in giving but has to do with ministering to the sick and needy. Such mercy is “to be done in a cheerful, spontaneous manner that will convey blessing rather than engender self-pity.” [EBC]. I always try to make people laugh which is hard on those who have just had heart surgery. They have to hug the little pillows tight when I come to visit them. I figure it is biblical, since “cheerfulness” translates “hilarotēs, to try to make them laugh.

 

D) Marks of the True Christian –The DNA of Jesus present in his Church (v.9-21)

  Let love be genuine. 

                Abhor what is evil;

        hold fast to what is good.

        Love one another with brotherly affection. 

     Outdo one another in showing honor. 

    Do not be slothful in zeal, 

                be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 

   Rejoice in hope, 

                be patient in tribulation, 

                be constant in prayer. 

   Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

   Bless those who persecute you;

    bless and do not curse them.

   Rejoice with those who rejoice,

       weep with those who weep. 

   Live in harmony with one another. 

      Do not be haughty,

                        but associate with the lowly. 

       Never be wise in your own sight. 

    Repay no one evil for evil,

                        but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 

    If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 

    Beloved, never avenge yourselves,

                        but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 

                             “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 

   To the contrary, 

“if your enemy is hungry, feed him;

 if he is thirsty,                  give him something to drink;

                  for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 

    Do not be overcome by evil,

                        but overcome evil with good.

If we were to take the description from the verses above to make a composite sketch what stands out in the description of a Christian? Certainly, we should notice the prominent presence of love (2x), joy (3x), hope, one another (3x), non-retaliation (3x), blessing others (even your enemy), and the command to overcome which peals loudly in the Book of Revelation.

May we be a church that looks, acts, speaks, and thinks more like Jesus all the time…the kind of church that cannot be hidden!

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[1] Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Acts [The Communicator’s Commentary Vol 5], 206.

[2] I. Howard Marshall, Acts of the Apostles [Tyndale NTC Vol. 5], 214.

[3] David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles [Pillar NTC], 376-377.