HOW APOSTLES AFFECT CITIES
Many years ago as I prepared to teach at a conference on spiritual warfare, I sat down by myself for a meal at a restaurant. While I was waiting for my dinner, the Lord spoke to me. He asked me this question: "How do apostles leave cities?" I returned to my motel room and searched the book of Acts. What happened to Paul as he departed from various cities?
Damascus- lowered over the wall in a large basket. (9:20-25)
Jerusalem- taken to a port city, put on a boat to Tarsus, at home for 13 years (9:29-31 "rest")
Antioch- brought in by Barnabas (11:23). Met with the church for 1 year. Here, disciples were first called Christians, "little anointed ones" (26). Their team grew larger (27).
Paul was already chosen, called, sent (Acts 9:15, Galatians 1:15-16, Acts 26:16-18). But when was he known as an apostle? Are there junior apostles? Immature apostles? Apostles in various stages of preparation? Apostles disguised as pastors? Being trained in business?
Acts 13:1-4 Antioch became a center for missions and set a pattern for producing apostles.
Prophets and Teachers- NO apostles were present. Which one was Saul of Tarsus?
Niger, Cyrene, Roman, Jew- A multi-cultural ministry team.
Ministering to the Lord and fasting- Worship and Fellowship produces Revelation.
The Holy Spirit said- How did the Spirit speak? Do we need prophets today?
Set apart- To be devoted to a special use. Ex- pots for drinking water or bedchamber
For Me- The first step in fulfilling your calling is being devoted to God.
For the work- A technical term for the apostolic task (Acts 15:38)
Fasted and Prayed- Vital spiritual step for consecration and ordination.
They sent them away... Being sent out by the Holy Spirit- Who sent them out?
Acts 14:14 "the apostles, Barnabas and Paul" We learn who they are by what they do.
Pisidian Antioch- run out of town by women (13:50)
Iconium- attempted stoning- fled (14:5)
Lystra- stoned, dragged out of the city, left for dead (14:19)
Back to Antioch- returned and reported to those who sent them out. Apostolic accountability. Barnabas and Paul split up over Mark. Paul selects Silas, a prophet. Two teams now depart.
16:6 forbidden by Holy Spirit; 16:7 Spirit of Jesus did not permit; 16:9 vision, "concluded."
Notice, even apostles sometimes don't know what to do and struggle to be lead by God.
16:13 start a powerful church with a women's prayer meeting. We need women on the Team!
Philippi- beaten, jailed (16:22); Thessalonica- mobbed, sent away (17:5), & Berea- (17:13).
Next three cities determined a critical stage of understanding for the apostle Paul:
- Athens - full of idols. Paul was alone. Sermon on Mars' Hill. Few converts. No church.
- Corinth- Lived with Priscilla and Aquilla. Worked as a tentmaker. Joined by Silas and Timothy. Now 5 team members. Transition: "Paul began to be devoted to the Word"
Devoted: How? The Team's Prayer Support; Team's Financial Support (Acts 18:5).
Determined: To know Christ crucified and God's power demonstrated (1 Cor 2:1-5).- Ephesus- Established the most mature expression his apostolic gifting produced of a fully functioning NT church. Recorded in Acts 18-20, Ephesians 1-6, 1 & 2 Timothy, and the Book of Revelation. Ephesians: Redemption, Doctrines, Lifestyle, then- Spiritual Warfare.
Began with Twelve disciples. Baptism in Holy Spirit. Two Years in School. All Asia!
Power Encounter. Whole city affected as idolatry's grip is loosened. (30,000 saved!)
Revelation- Seven Churches came from this Ephesian training center. Success!Ron Wood, Johannesburg, South Africa www.touchedbygrace.org
