When it came to financial giving, the Antioch Christians were like the believers in Jerusalem; they were generous. But there was one difference. The giving of the Antioch church extended beyond the boundaries of their local body—and even their local community. When a prophet among them foretold the famine that was coming on Judea, for example, the church at Antioch sent financial relief to the brethren there.
In addition to sending finances to other regions, the Antioch believers also sent people. Acts 13 gives us insight into how they did it. There we see that:
… 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. And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God …. (verses 1 – 5)
Notice that church leaders came to Antioch not only to fellowship with each other and be edified but also to minister to the Lord. They took time to sing praises and worship Him, to fast, pray, and experience His presence. When they did, they experienced demonstrations and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. As they ministered to the Lord, He ministered back to them.
As a result, the Antioch church became a place where people could find their God-ordained purpose. It became a place that sent people out to do the work God called them to do.
In a nutshell, that is what an apostolic church is all about.
It’s not a church where believers can go and remain babies all their lives. It’s a place where Christians grow up, go out, and do what they’re divinely designed to do.
Lord, pour out Your grace and let the apostolic Church arise!
Scripture Reading: Acts 11:27 – 30
On the chilly March night in 1972 when Lynne Hammond took her first step into a life of Spirit-led prayer, she had no idea what was about to happen. All she knew was the hunger in her heart for God wouldn’t let her sleep. In the few short months she’d been born again, her desire to fellowship with Him had grown so strong she could hardly contain it. “Help me, God!” she cried. “I want to know you. I want to be able to talk to you. Please, teach me to pray!”
Suddenly, a heavenly presence flooded the room. Lynne sensed waves of spiritual fire sweeping over her and a beautiful language began to flow like a river from within her. Although she’d never heard of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, she knew instantly, without a doubt—this was God!
What began that night soon blossomed into a life of prayer that ultimately became a ministry of prayer when, in 1980, Lynne and her husband, Mac, founded Living Word Christian Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Under Lynne’s leadership, the prayer ministry at Living Word has become an internationally recognized model for developing effective pray-ers in the local church.
A teacher and an author, Lynne publishes a newsletter called Prayer Notes, has written numerous books, and currently serves as the national prayer director for Daughters for Zion. Her passion for inspiring and leading others into the life of Spirit-led prayer continues to take her around the world to minister to believers whose heart cry, like hers, is “Lord, teach me to pray!”