The Unity In The Church: Antioch To Help Jerusalem Series

In the church, the elders were mature believers who had the oversight of the ministry (1 Pe. 5:1{17]; 2 John 1{15]). When you compare Acts 20:17 {8]and Titus 1:5 and 7{16], you learn that “elder” and “bishop” (overseer) are equivalent titles. The elders/bishops were the pastors of the flocks, assisted by the deacons; and the qualifications for both are found in 1 Timothy 3. Wherever Paul established churches, he saw to it that qualified elders were ordained to give leadership to the assemblies (Acts 14:23{7]; Titus 1:5{16]).

An important spiritual principle is illustrated in this passage: if people have been a spiritual blessing to us, we should minister to them out of our material possessions. “Let him who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches” (Gal. 6:6). The Jewish believers in Jerusalem had brought the Gospel to Antioch. Then they had sent Barnabas to encourage the new believers. It was only right that the Gentiles in Antioch reciprocate and send material help to their Jewish brothers and sisters in Judea. Some years later, Paul would gather a similar offering from the Gentile churches and take it to the saints in Jerusalem (Acts 2:17{11]; and see Rom. 15:23-28{12]).

Scripture reference and special notes

{1] (Acts 21:1o-11) While we were staying for some days, a prophet named Ag'abus came down from Judea. And coming to us he took Paul's girdle and bound his own feet and hands, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this girdle and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'"

{2] Christian prophets are mentioned also in Acts 13:1 and 15:32. Philips daughters were prophets according to Acts 21:9. Paul ranked prophets second only to apostles in his list of those gifted by the Spirit (1 Co. 12:28). The gift of prophesy is treated throughout 1 Co. 14 and is primarily valued for its role in edification and encouragement. The Jews believed that prophesy had ceased during the time of the exile but would return with the coming of the Messiah. Peter’s quote of Joel at Pentecost reflected his conviction that the gift had been poured out on the Christian community (2:17-18) and was indeed a sign of the Messiah’s coming. In the New Testament prophesy is primarily viewed as a word spoken under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit intended for the direction or edification of the Christian community.

{3] Itinerate prophets existed as late as the second-century church.

{4] The NIV has the entire Roman world.

{5] (Acts 12:25) And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, bringing with them John whose other name was Mark.

{6] (Acts 6:1-6) Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Proch'orus, and Nica'nor, and Ti'mon, and Par'menas, and Nicola'us, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them.