Acts 13:1-43
Servant-leaders like Barnabas function well as part of a team of leaders who are using their spiritual gifts. 1
- In Antioch, they had a team of Spirit-filled “prophets and teachers.” These were “preacher-teachers” working together to edify the church.
- Some prophets like Agabus were given direct revelation during the apostolic age (Acts 11:28)
- The prophecies of these prophets had to be proven true (Deuteronomy 18:19-22), otherwise they should be labeled as false prophets.
- Some prophets like Agabus were given direct revelation during the apostolic age (Acts 11:28)
- In Acts 5:1-11, Peter demonstrated that gift of prophecy – revealing the greedy secrets of Ananias and Sapphira.
- Up until and during the apostolic age, the prophets were given the ability to speak by direction revelation. Today we ought to thank God for these prophets, since they were used by the Lord to lay the foundation of the church (Ephesians 2:19-22).
- The gift of prophecy – proclaiming the truth in a dynamic fashion – is still a gift given to the church today.
- It is listed first in the gifts listed in Romans 12:4-8
- If the applications are listed in order, beginning in verse 9, then this gift would be characterized by boldly speaking the truth without hypocrisy or partiality.
- This gift is essential if we are to confirm and stabilize the believers. This is the sense in which Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 14:24-25, “But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.”
- The function of the gift of prophecy is evident in Acts 15:32, “And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.” Note that this did not require direct revelation. This is what should be going on in our churches, even today.
Leaders like Barnabas know that leadership is built on worshiping the Lord, seeking Him fervently. By prayer and even fasting they prepare themselves for the challenges before them. 2-3
- The meeting in Jerusalem (Barnabas, Paul, Peter, John, and James (the Lord’s brother) is described in Galatians 2:1-10. Barnabas and Saul were given “the right hand of fellowship” with the understanding that they were specially commissioned by God to go to the Gentiles. (The others sensed God’s calling to go to the Jewish people.) With this meeting fresh on their minds, Barnabas and Saul returned to the Gentiles in Antioch. But as they worshiped the Lord, He made it clear that Barnabas and Saul were to preach in other Gentile cities.
The servant-leader selflessly delights in seeing his own followers take a higher place of leadership, and follows them willingly. 13:13 (See verses 1, 2, 7, 13, 43, 46, and 50.)
Leaders like Barnabas will press on with the mission even when those who are close to him turn away from the mission. 13:13
Servant-leaders like Barnabas and Saul delight in preaching the Gospel of God’s grace. 14-43
- The Gospel of G.R.A.C.E.
- The Glory of God, 17-26 (including the promise of the Messiah)
- The Rebellion of mankind, 27-29
- The Awful Penalty for the rebellion of mankind. 40-41
- The Christ who paid the penalty for the rebellion of mankind. 30-39
- Embrace Christ by faith today. 42-43
“Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God” (43b)
The servant-leader will use his words to help others grow strong in the grace of God, knowing that they will be used of the Lord to reach other people. 43-44
Pastor Gordon Dickson, Calvary Baptist Church, Findlay, Ohio www.cbcfindlay.org