0138. Antioch Was a Church with Members Gifted in God's Word and Work

Antioch Was a Church with Members Gifted in God’s Word and Work

"Now there were in the Church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul" (Act_13:1).

1. Few churches have been blessed with a greater array of prophets and teachers than was the Church at Antioch. A glance shows that the list given above, composed some great men, men from every class and walk of life; as well as men of varied gifts. There was one, brought up under the tutorage of the Roman court, and one educated at the feet of Gamaliel, and one an intrepid orator, and one who had evidently migrated from distant Africa. These men were all of them separated unto the Gospel of God; they were men who knew how to fast and to pray and to preach, and they were all at Antioch.

Why should our churches of today be generally held down to the one pastor idea? Why should one man, and only one, preach and teach and proclaim the things of God? Surely every church that is awake to its calling, will find the Holy Spirit is always placing His hand upon this one, and that one, and calling them forth to special service.

Why not have deacons like Philip of old, and women like Tryphena and Tryphosa and the beloved Persis, all of whom labored in the Lord?

In the early days of the Church there were many saints who stood close by the Apostles and entered heartily into their labors. Paul wrote: "Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us", or he wrote, "Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers (fellow workers) in Christ Jesus", or else he wrote, "I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant (deaconess) of the Church which is at Cenchrea".

Why should not the churches of today have saints who are of note among the Apostles, and who are ready to lay down their own necks for the Lord? until all the churches will give thanks for their sacrificial service.

Let us get back to the idea that each church should be a beehive of well-equipped workers. Let us get away from the idea that God is shut up to only ordained pastors and evangelists.

Let us begin to train our young people and our older people in the Word of the Lord, so we will always have saints prepared unto every good word and work.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR