PROCLAMATION AND CONFRONTATION (29 OF 56)
Scripture: Acts 13:13-41
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Proclamation and Confrontation (29 of 56)
Series: The Church in ACTSion
Wyman Richardson
Acts 13:13-41
Read Acts 13:1-12
This text is significant because it reveals the early Church's intentional efforts to reach the world with the gospel. Its significance is compounded by the fact that these missionaries are sent forth from a church that was comprised of both Jews and Gentiles, the church at Antioch. It is noteworthy that the church that was able to embrace the radical if difficult implications of the gospel (i.e., that Jews and Gentiles alike were welcomed into the Kingdom of God through Christ) was the church that commissioned and sent some out to take the gospel to all. Those who are most grateful for their salvation are usually those who are most eager to share it.
The Spirit calls God-focused believers out of the Church for particular, commissioned tasks and the Church, ideally, agrees and supports those who are called.
We say that the church at Antioch commissioned these missionaries. This is true, but only after God had done so.
1 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. 2 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.'' 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Craig Keener provides some helpful background information on these specific names.
Simeon and Manaen (Menahem) are Jewish names, suggesting strong Jewish representation still in the leadership of the church...But Simeon's surname ''Niger'' was a very respectable and common Roman name; he may be a Roman citizen, although this is not clear...the meaning of Simeon's Latin nickname suggests a dark complexion and may indicate that he was descended from proselytes form the Romanized coast of North Africa ...
Series: The Church in ACTSion
Wyman Richardson
Acts 13:13-41
Read Acts 13:1-12
This text is significant because it reveals the early Church's intentional efforts to reach the world with the gospel. Its significance is compounded by the fact that these missionaries are sent forth from a church that was comprised of both Jews and Gentiles, the church at Antioch. It is noteworthy that the church that was able to embrace the radical if difficult implications of the gospel (i.e., that Jews and Gentiles alike were welcomed into the Kingdom of God through Christ) was the church that commissioned and sent some out to take the gospel to all. Those who are most grateful for their salvation are usually those who are most eager to share it.
The Spirit calls God-focused believers out of the Church for particular, commissioned tasks and the Church, ideally, agrees and supports those who are called.
We say that the church at Antioch commissioned these missionaries. This is true, but only after God had done so.
1 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. 2 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.'' 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Craig Keener provides some helpful background information on these specific names.
Simeon and Manaen (Menahem) are Jewish names, suggesting strong Jewish representation still in the leadership of the church...But Simeon's surname ''Niger'' was a very respectable and common Roman name; he may be a Roman citizen, although this is not clear...the meaning of Simeon's Latin nickname suggests a dark complexion and may indicate that he was descended from proselytes form the Romanized coast of North Africa ...
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