Embracing Apostolic Faith: The Antioch Church Model

Devotional

Day 1: The Antioch Church: Embracing Apostolic Priorities

The church in Antioch was birthed by ordinary, unnamed disciples who, empowered by the hand of the Lord, spread the good news to both Jews and Greeks, resulting in a great number of people turning to the Lord. This community modeled apostolic priorities by welcoming diverse leaders, responding to the prophetic word, and reaching beyond their own borders to bless others. Their willingness to send help during famine and to embrace new ministries like Paul’s demonstrates a DNA of going beyond themselves, building up others, and being a blessing to the wider body of Christ. [01:04:57]

Acts 11:19-26 (ESV)
Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Reflection: Where is God inviting you to step beyond your comfort zone to bless someone outside your usual circle this week?

Day 2: Unity in Diversity and the Presence of God

The Antioch church was marked by remarkable diversity among its leaders—different ethnicities, backgrounds, and social statuses—yet they were united in worship, fasting, and listening to the Holy Spirit. They prioritized God’s presence and were quick to obey when the Spirit spoke, setting apart Barnabas and Saul for mission. This unity in diversity, combined with a deep value for both the spiritual gifts and the Scriptures, made them a well-rounded, Spirit-led community that embraced all God had for them. [01:10:00]

Acts 13:1-3 (ESV)
Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Reflection: How can you intentionally seek out and celebrate the diversity in your church or community, and what step can you take to foster deeper unity this week?

Day 3: Apostolic Pastoring: Taking Responsibility for Your City

Apostolic pastoring means taking responsibility not just for the church, but for the city—caring for its people, standing against what hinders the gospel, and shepherding with both compassion and authority. When Paul confronted the sorcerer Elymas, it was an act of both power and pastoring, demonstrating God’s loving discipline and protection for those seeking truth. God’s parenting is not punishment but loving correction, sometimes involving short-term discomfort for long-term good, always motivated by mercy for all involved. [01:16:14]

Acts 13:6-12 (ESV)
When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Reflection: What is one area in your city, workplace, or school where you sense God calling you to take spiritual responsibility and pray or act for positive change?

Day 4: Proclaiming Christ from a Whole-Bible Perspective

Apostolic proclamation is centered on Jesus, telling the story of Christ from the whole of Scripture and showing how all of God’s promises point to Him. Paul’s message in Antioch traced the narrative from Genesis through the prophets to Jesus, emphasizing the fulfillment of God’s plan, the forgiveness of sins, and the gift of justification—being declared innocent, not just forgiven. This approach reminds us that the gospel is rooted in the entire story of God’s dealings with humanity, and that our proclamation should be Christ-focused and biblically grounded. [01:36:21]

Acts 13:16-39 (ESV)
So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’ “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’ And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, “‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ Therefore he says also in another psalm, “‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’ For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

Reflection: How can you make time this week to read or listen to a portion of the Old Testament and look for how it points to Jesus?

Day 5: Living in Grace—Past, Present, and Future

The gospel is not only about the grace that saved us in the past, but also about the grace we walk in every day and the grace that awaits us in eternity. Paul urged the believers to continue in the grace of God, reminding them that they are justified, forgiven, and made righteous—not just once, but continually. This daily grace sustains us, and the promise of eternal life gives us hope for the future. We are called to remember our identity in Christ: not just forgiven, but declared worthy and righteous, living in the fullness of what Jesus has done, is doing, and will do. [01:43:19]

Romans 5:1-2 (ESV)
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can remind yourself each day this week that you are justified, loved, and sustained by God’s grace—no matter what yesterday looked like?

Sermon Summary

Today, we explored the remarkable story of the Antioch church as a model for apostolic Christianity, drawing from Acts 11 and 13. Antioch was a city of great diversity and significance, and its church was birthed not by famous leaders, but by ordinary, unnamed disciples scattered by persecution. This reminds us that God delights in using those who may be overlooked by the world, and that His hand is on those who are willing to step out in faith, regardless of their reputation or background.

The Antioch church was marked by its apostolic DNA: a community that responded to the prophetic word, reached beyond its own borders, and embraced a sending, going posture. They were not content to simply receive; they were eager to build and bless others, even at personal cost. Their leadership reflected a beautiful diversity—different ethnicities, backgrounds, and social standings—yet they were united in worship, fasting, and a deep commitment to the presence of God. They valued both the gifts of the Spirit and the authority of Scripture, creating a well-rounded, Spirit-led community.

We also considered what it means to practice apostolic pastoring. The story of Paul confronting the sorcerer Elymas is not just about power, but about taking responsibility for the spiritual well-being of the city. Apostolic people are called to pastor not just their church, but their city—caring deeply about the state of society, standing against what hinders the gospel, and being willing to speak up for truth and righteousness. Sometimes, this means allowing God’s discipline to bring about long-term good, even if it involves short-term discomfort.

Finally, we looked at apostolic proclamation. Paul’s preaching in Antioch was rooted in the whole story of Scripture, showing how all of God’s promises point to Jesus. He proclaimed not only forgiveness of sins, but justification—a declaration of innocence and the gift of Christ’s righteousness. The gospel is not just about grace given in the past, but grace for every day and grace for eternity. We are called to walk in this grace daily, never losing sight of the hope of eternal life and the truth of our new identity in Christ. As we grow in our apostolic calling, may we continue to prioritize God’s presence, pastor our cities with courage and compassion, and proclaim the fullness of the gospel with boldness and clarity.

Key Takeaways

1. God delights in using ordinary, unnamed people to accomplish extraordinary things. The Antioch church was birthed by disciples whose names we do not know, yet their willingness to go and share the gospel changed history. Never underestimate the impact of faithful obedience, even when it goes unnoticed by others. [66:45]
2. Apostolic communities are marked by unity in diversity and a commitment to God’s presence. The leaders in Antioch came from different backgrounds—ethnic, social, and political—yet they were united in worship, fasting, and listening to the Holy Spirit. True unity is not uniformity, but a shared pursuit of God’s purposes that values every gift and voice. [70:30]
3. Apostolic pastoring means taking responsibility for the spiritual climate of our cities, not just our churches. Like Paul, we are called to confront what opposes the gospel, to care deeply about the welfare of our communities, and to be willing to speak and act with holy boldness. Our passion for justice and truth is a reflection of God’s heart for people and His desire to see His kingdom advance. [76:14]
4. The gospel is more than forgiveness; it is justification and the gift of Christ’s righteousness. Forgiveness means our debt is cancelled, but justification means we are declared innocent and credited with the righteousness of Jesus. This profound truth transforms our identity and empowers us to live in the freedom and confidence of beloved children of God. [96:21]
5. Apostolic proclamation is rooted in the whole counsel of Scripture and points to Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises. It is a message of grace—grace given in the past, grace for today, and grace for eternity. We are called to continue in this grace daily, never losing sight of the hope of eternal life and the worthiness God has bestowed upon us through Christ. [99:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[62:47] - Introduction and Reflections on Church History
[64:57] - The Birth of the Antioch Church
[67:30] - The Significance of Antioch in History
[69:45] - God Uses the Unnamed and Overlooked
[71:30] - Embracing Diversity and Unity in Leadership
[73:30] - Responding to the Prophetic and Reaching Beyond
[75:30] - Apostolic Priorities: Presence and Partnership with the Spirit
[76:14] - Apostolic Pastoring: Authority and Responsibility
[79:30] - The Story of Elymas and Spiritual Authority
[82:30] - Pastoring Our Cities and Engaging Society
[87:00] - Apostolic Proclamation: Paul’s Preaching in Antioch
[92:00] - The Gospel: Forgiveness, Justification, and Righteousness
[99:30] - Grace for Today and Eternity
[103:19] - Closing and Proclamation of Good News

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 11:19–30 (ESV) — > 19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
> 27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 13:1–4, 6–12, 16–39 (ESV) — > 1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
> 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
> ...
> 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. ...
> 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
> ...
> 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. ...
> 38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.”

Observation Questions

Who were the people responsible for starting the church in Antioch, and what does the passage say about their background or status? (Acts 11:19–21; [01:04:57])
What kinds of diversity are mentioned among the leaders of the Antioch church in Acts 13? ([01:11:30])
How did the Antioch church respond when the prophet Agabus predicted a famine? (Acts 11:27–30; [01:04:57])
What was Paul’s response to Elymas the sorcerer, and what was the result for the proconsul? (Acts 13:6–12; [01:16:14])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon highlights that the Antioch church was started by “ordinary, unnamed disciples” scattered by persecution. Why might God choose to use people who are overlooked or unknown by the world? ([01:04:57])
The leaders in Antioch were from different ethnic, social, and political backgrounds. What does this diversity teach us about the kind of unity God desires in the church? ([01:11:30])
Paul’s confrontation with Elymas is described as “apostolic pastoring.” What does it mean to take responsibility for the spiritual climate of a city, not just a church? ([01:16:14])
The sermon says that the gospel is not just about forgiveness, but also justification and the gift of Christ’s righteousness. How does understanding justification change the way a believer sees themselves? ([01:36:21])

Application Questions

The Antioch church was started by people whose names we don’t know, but their faithfulness changed history. Have you ever felt overlooked or insignificant in your faith journey? How might God want to use your “ordinary” obedience in ways you can’t see? ([01:04:57])
The Antioch church valued unity in diversity—different backgrounds, ethnicities, and social standings. Are there people in your church or community who are different from you? What practical steps can you take to build deeper unity and value every voice? ([01:11:30])
The church responded to a prophetic word about famine by sending help to others, even at personal cost. Is there a need in your city or community that you feel God is prompting you to respond to? What would it look like for you (or your group) to “reach beyond your borders” this month? ([01:04:57])
Apostolic pastoring means caring about the spiritual and social health of your city, not just your church. What is one issue in your city or neighborhood that you feel passionate about? How could you pray, speak up, or take action to reflect God’s heart for justice and truth? ([01:16:14])
Paul’s preaching in Antioch emphasized not just forgiveness, but justification and a new identity in Christ. Do you struggle to believe that you are not just forgiven, but declared innocent and righteous in God’s eyes? How does this truth affect your confidence and daily life? ([01:36:21])
The gospel is described as “grace for every day and grace for eternity.” What is one way you can remind yourself to walk in God’s grace this week, especially when you feel unworthy or discouraged? ([01:39:30])
The Antioch church was eager to send and bless others, even when it meant personal sacrifice. Is there a way you can support or encourage someone else’s calling or ministry, even if it costs you something? ([01:07:30])

Sermon Clips

To be apostolic basically means to be a going community, a sending community is what the word apostolos means. It means to go beyond yourself and not just to be a blessing but to build beyond your borders. [01:13:23] (17 seconds) #GoBeyondYourBorders

Justification is not just as if you'd never sinned—as awesome as that is—in justification you get imputed, gifted righteousness. So your account goes from the red to zero and then well and truly in the black as you are credited the righteousness of Christ himself. So in your account, you look like Jesus. You have Jesus in your account. That is good news. That is the wonder of the grace that has been given to us. [01:37:37] (28 seconds) #DailyGraceWalk

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