0131. The Assembly at Antioch

The Assembly at Antioch

"As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them" (Act_13:2),

The Church at Antioch was the place where the believers were first called "Christians."

The Church possessed some choice spirit in its fellowship. There were in the Church "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".

Doubtless these brethren, all of them prominent in the Lord’s work, and gathered from various parts of the country, and from various walks in life, doubtless they had some great times preaching together and discussing the things of God.

These men, however, did not neglect "prayer and fasting." They did not "do nothing but talk," they prayed.

It was as they fasted and prayed that God spoke unto them, saying, "Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them".

Between the lines, I seem to read something like this: "You, dear brethren, are having some good times, and I know you enjoy this fellowship, but there are too many prophets and teachers bunched together in one town; the Church at Antioch must not be partial to themselves; there are millions of people in darkness–therefore, send forth Barnabas and Saul to the larger work whereunto I have called them."

We rejoice that the Church at Antioch did not demur, nor did the prophets and teachers seek to dissuade Barnabas and Saul. "They laid their hands on them, and sent them away".

Why is it that churches today fail to hear the will of God. Are there not many churches which seem to have forgotten the words of Christ: "We must preach the Gospel in the next towns also"? These churches want to keep their pastor tied close at home, and their money tied close at home, and their choicest young people tied close at home.

The heart of God is the regions beyond.

Illustration: Dr. Luther was preaching in Belton, Texas–a missionary sermon. In the midst of his discourse he stopped and prayed, "Oh God, send some of our young men and women far hence to preach the Gospel." Then with his hands reached forth toward the audience, he cried, "Who will go, who will go?" At once his own beautiful daughter, Annie, arose and said, "Father, I will go; I will go." Dr. Luther was stunned. He felt like crying out, "O God, I didn’t mean Annie, I didn’t mean Annie."

But Annie did go. I have been in her home in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I have seen her, in her work for God. She is none other than Mrs. W. B. Bagby, who, with her husband, were pioneer missionaries to the land of the Southern Cross.

Today God is calling, "Separate Me this one and that one," who is it that hears His voice and will answer, "Here am I; send me"?

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR