More on missions and the local church (part one)

Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. Acts 13:1-4

Here are seven important principles from Acts 13:1-4 concerning sending New Testament missionaries. Why do we share these with those who are not missionaries? So that we can understand missions from a biblical perspective, and we can pray for and support our missionaries biblically.

  1. The first missionaries sent in the New Testament were seasoned veterans: prophets and teachers.  This underscores the importance of spiritual maturity in the lives of missionary candidates. (v.1-2)

  2. The call to send came to the leaders of the church.  The call to missionary service must be confirmed by the leadership of one’s home church (v.2).

  3. The call to send (and the call to go) comes while “ministering to the Lord” in the local church.  This underscores the importance of worship and prayer as a part of the process of receiving the call.  It also points out that missionary candidates should be fully involved in serving in a local church before being sent (v.2).

  4. There is no indication regarding the time frame covered in verse 3, but the fact that they fasted and prayed, even after having received word from the Lord, indicates time elapsed while seeking the Lord before acting. God is seldom in as much of a hurry as we tend to be, even when it comes to ministry (v.3).

  5. The words “set apart” (or separate) indicate a time of preparation for service.  The call to missionary service is at least as important as the call to eldership (v.2).

  6. The missionaries were “sent,” they didn’t just “go.”  Being “sent” indicates that the one(s) being sent has been commissioned by the local church, and remains responsible and accountable to the senders (the local church) (v.3-4).

  7. Being sent by the church was equated with being sent by the Holy Spirit (v.4).

All photography provided by Grace Bible Church.