1. From Antioch to Antioch ! Acts 13

2. Seismic shifts in Christian mission Acts11-13 Change-over from  Peter to Paul  Jews to Gentiles  Disciples of a Jewish Messiah to “Christians”  Jerusalem-centred to an Antioch base

3. ANTIOCH

4. Syrian Antioch “Queen of the east,” the third most strategic city in the Roman empire after Rome and Alexandria “Queen of the east,” the third most strategic city in the Roman empire after Rome and Alexandria Large, 500,000 pop. (many Jews but also Orientals from Persia, India and China) Large, 500,000 pop. (many Jews but also Orientals from Persia, India and China) International cosmopolitan & an Intellectual rival to Alexandria International cosmopolitan & an Intellectual rival to Alexandria A moral Cesspool eg Daphne suburb with ritual prostitution, “Daphnici mores” = playboy mentality. A moral Cesspool eg Daphne suburb with ritual prostitution, “Daphnici mores” = playboy mentality.

5. Mission Needs Talkers Acts 11:19-21 (8:4) “Now those who had been forced to scatter went around proclaiming the good news concerning Jesus.”

6. Mission needs Encouragers Acts 11:22-24 “When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.”

7. Barnabas An Encourager An Encourager A Good man A Good man Full of the Holy Spirit Full of the Holy Spirit Full of Faith (in God and what God can do through others) Full of Faith (in God and what God can do through others)

8. Mission needs Teachers Acts 11:25-27 Barnabas Knew his limitations Knew his limitations Recognised the greater gifts of others and gave them space to work - gets Paul over to lead the teaching Recognised the greater gifts of others and gave them space to work - gets Paul over to lead the teaching

9. Mission needs Givers Acts 11:27-30 “So the disciples, each in accordance with his financial ability, decided to send relief to their brothers and sisters living in Judea.”

10. Mission needs Prophets Acts 11:27-30, 13:2 “In the church at Antioch there were prophets... While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “... ”

11. Guidelines for discerning prophecy  Essentially a means of guidance  Each may hear and speak  Need to test everything  Hold on to the good  Reject the rest

12. Mission “sent ones” – Apostles Acts 13:1-4... “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

13. A New generation Change in Apostleship Apostolos – Greek “a sent one” Apostolos – Greek “a sent one” Missio – Latin for “to send” Missio – Latin for “to send” Paul & Barnabas start of a new breed of “apostles” = missionaries Sent by both the Holy Spirit & Church JesusThe 12Barnabas

14. Mission needs the Power of Holy Spirit Intervention Acts 13:4-12 Then Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, said, “...

15. Mission needs the telling of the story – preaching the Word Acts 13:13-43 “But God raised Him from the dead... Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.”