The foreshadowing of God’s Spirit in the primitive Church

The foreshadowing of God’s Spirit in the primitive Church

Text: Acts 1:1-5

1. The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Early Church

At the beginning of Chapter 13 of the Book of Acts, Luke tells us that the leaders of the church in Antioch were fasting and praying along with Paul and Barnabas. Then he told us a fascinating thing: God’s Spirit was present too. That means the Spirit of God is not limited to Israel alone, as in the case of Jesus when he was in his human envelope. Furthermore, he told us that the Holy Ghost was intervening within this small community. The Spirit of God is overseeing the affairs of the church, especially concerning the spreading of good news to the lost. That means, the Spirit of God has His say.

Now, as the text mentions Paul and Barnabas, which would mean that these two disciples were not there by chance, I tend to believe that they were there on a missionary journey. They were on missionary tours to meet believers in remote areas, as well as debating with Jews in synagogues to lead them to God so that they may be saved.

Dear brothers and sisters, please allow me to ask you a simple question this morning. Is anyone on a missionary journey? I'm thinking of those who care about the lost. These extraordinary people are not like you or me. Allow me to explain it to you. These church members took the Great Commission seriously. We find them quite busy making visits or knocking on people's doors. They have a burden for souls, and their main desire is to introduce Jesus Christ. As a result, they are looking for someone with whom they can open the Bible and spark their interest in God. Hence, as soon as there is any indication that the individual is interested, they will offer Bible studies and schedule an appointment to begin the Bible teachings.

Dear friends of mine, let me repeat my question to you: are any of you on a missionary journey?

Let me ask another question to you, special people of God: Are there any parents this morning praying that God will give you children who will be great evangelists, great soul winners, and church builders? Dear parents and appointed church leaders, is God speaking to you, telling you to set this or that person apart? One thing is clear to me: the Spirit of God was present in the early church; he was busy working in the Christian community at Antioch. He was overshadowing God’s people and selecting people who are fit for the job and appointing them to work in God's field.

A reflection is in order this morning regarding a practice that continues in our church. Every year for a long time, we have had the practice of gathering at the beginning of January for ten days of prayer. The reason why?

a. We are asked to put together a list of five to seven folks and offer prayers for them during the Ten Days of Prayer; these people could be our neighbours, friends, coworkers, or loved ones. We pray not only for them to be healthy, but additionally for God to help us approach them throughout the year so that we can offer them a book, a leaflet, an invitation to a church event, an invitation to attend one of our conferences or talks, a visit when they are hospitalized, etc.

Regrettably, many of us inadvertently misplaced the list of names. If the list of names was truly lost, which I doubt, since everyone on the list are people we know, live with, and work with, consequently, we can rewrite those forgotten names. But not only is that list of names gone, it has been forgotten. This indicates a lack of seriousness on our part.

b. The second prayer is where we plead with God to send us the Holy Spirit. This, in my opinion, is where we sin year after year via habit. However, when we read Acts 1:3-5 and 8.

You should all be aware of one thing this morning: the Holy Spirit's manifestation was there from the start of the early church to carry on Jesus' mission following his ascension into heaven. The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus' disciples to bear witness in Jerusalem, Samaria, Judea, and all across the earth Acts 1:8.  Christianity appears to have attracted a million believers in the two to three decades following the resurrection.

For nearly two millennia, the disciples, apostles, and millions of Christians have been accompanied by the Spirit of God. It would be more appropriate for us to rephrase our prayer according to this statement of Jesus. John 10:2 “He said to them, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the workers are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field.”

I truly believe that we should rephrase our prayer today, and it shouldn't look like this: Pray that God sends His Holy Spirit. It ought to read: Lord, send workers among us who are concerned about the lost so they might toil in your field and save them.

2. The Spirit of God works when the church is in prayer.

Luke's account of the Antioch church in chapter 13 of Acts of the Apostles: it's about the modus operandi of the Holy Spirit.  First of all, in Chapter 1 verse 4, Jesus instructs his disciples to wait for God’s promise in prayer. Then, in verse 8, they will be his witnesses. The disciples were praying in the chamber when the Holy Spirit appeared in Acts 2, and Luke informs us in verse 4 that the disciples were all filled with the Holy Spirit. They all began witnessing and sharing the gospel shortly after being given the gift of tongues.

One thing is for sure this morning, in my opinion: where the church prays and engages in serving to save the lost, the Spirit of God is more active. For this reason, God sent His Spirit to instruct and train His disciples, and then He sent them out into the world to save the wayward. Let us remember this: God, through His Spirit, communicates His directives to the church as they pray, fast, and serve Him.

Dear friends, while you pray for the lost, are you hearing the Spirit of God speak to you? You should. If not, you ought to carry out an independent self-examination, and this I say for each one of us.

3. The Church's surrender to the will of the Holy Spirit.

Antioch was a place not only where people fasted and prayed, but it is obvious in verse 3 that the church submits itself to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. “Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” Acts 13:3.

Before ascending to heaven, our Lord entrusted us with the gospel mandate (Matthew 28:19-20). Our church is currently facing another issue, rather than "going," as a church, we frequently wait for people to come to us. We are hundreds of miles away from what Jesus expects of us; as a church, we are doing the complete opposite. Now is the time for us to wake up and reconnect with God's Spirit. Dear friends, "Go" means leaving the walls of this place and entering the community. It's there, in the community, that your prayers will find meaning.

Furthermore, the Spirit of God confirms Jesus' word by setting aside Paul and Barnabas. As disciples, the two were to go and make disciples themselves, discuss with others, give Bible studies, establish churches, and train leaders. It is not what Jesus says: "But the Comforter, [even] the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you, John 14:26." As you see, one of the things the Holy Spirit reminded the disciples to do was go and make disciples.

What shall we say this morning? We need men and women of prayer, both young and old. Men and women who do not limit themselves to just ten days of prayer; but be of those who will "pray without ceasing," 1 Thessalonians 5:17. As you pray, my brothers and sisters, rather, follow the movement of the Holy Spirit, and as soon as you sense that the Spirit of God is at work in a specific person, neighbourhood, or family, rush forward. For that is where the Lord wants us to be.