Into The Unknown

Antioch

16 miles E of Mediterranean

300 miles N of Jerusalem

Rome, Alexandria & Antioch in importance to Rome

Called the First City of The East

Antioch's modern name of Antakya, and is now a miserable, decaying Turkish town.

Antakya's a hub for the Syrian rebellion. For many months, Turkish authorities have tolerated Antakya's status

Ac 11;19-21 - Death of Steven scattered Christians to Antioch

Ac 11:22-26 – Barnabas sent to investigate the church

The Growing Church

- Five Members Given - Being Prophets (preachers) & Teachers

■ Barnabas a Levite (Ac 4:36) who sold his property to help the ministry

- Now ministering to Gentiles in Antioch

■ Simeon called Niger

- Latin nickname meaning “black.” (Possibly from N. Africa)

- The multiracial and multinational leadership of the church at Antioch.

■ Lucius of Cyrene (modern day Libya)

- Name is Latin birthplace N. Africa

- Could have carried gospel to Antioch – Ac 11:19-21

■ Manaen – RV uses “foster brother”

- Connected with royalty

- Could have been “member of court” and “childhood companion”

■ Saul – Former Persecutor

- Phil. 3:5 - Hebrew of the Hebrews.

- A Pharisee

1. The Spirit’s Activity

a. Suggesting the Plan – 13:2

b. Selecting the Persons – 13:2

c. Sending the Preferred – 13:4

2. Saints Responsibility – 13:2 “As they ministered to the Lord”

- Having a deep faith in God

Ac 13:3

Fasted, Prayed. Laid hands on them

■ Fasted – Seeking God’s leading,

■ Prayed

- Communion with the Lord

- Remembering the Lord’s teaching

Matthew 7:7 (AV)

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Matthew 26:41 (AV)

41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

■ Laying of Hands speaks of communicating a blessing dedicating to God’s service

- When God is in it there is no limit to the possibilities

3. The Servant’s Obedience

- Ac. 13:4 “They departed”

- Confident

- It was not a throw of the dart into a map

- Barnabas was from Cyprus

Acts 4:36 (AV)

36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,