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BIBLICAL MISSIONS
SATURDAY, JANUARY 30
Acts 13:1-4

Luke 10:1-2

 

“…the Lord appointed
other seventy also, and

sent them two and two…”

 

BIBLICAL MISSIONS
 
Missions work is not a business enterprise that needs feasibility studies. It is not also an agricultural venture that requires tests and experiments. It is a spiritual exercise that requires fasting and prayer. It is God’s work and must receive a mandate from above to be carried out. The Book of Acts is often called by many as the Acts of the Holy Spirit. After the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, it was evident that the Holy Spirit was working through the believers, especially as they commenced the work of missions.
 
Separated: The word “separate” (Acts 13:2) has the idea of setting them aside for a special purpose. The believers in the church at Antioch were not ordinary men. Some of them were highly educated and greatly respected. They did not rely on themselves but were wholly dependent upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit. “There is no mention made here of the election made by the Church, because it was altogether a divine calling; the Church did only receive those who were offered them by the hand of God” (Calvin).
 
Sent: The church did not in any way doubt what they had heard from the Holy Spirit. They trusted the Spirit. They obeyed the voice of the Spirit and sent Saul and Barnabas. Being sent forth by the Holy Ghost indicated it was the Spirit’s influence, authority, and continual direction. Without the first, they were not qualified to go; without the second, they had no authority to go; and without the third, they could not know where to go (Clarke).
 
After the Spirit spoke to them, they continued to fast and pray. They prayed for them and committed them to the great task of going into a different land to preach the Gospel.
 
In today’s churches, there are extreme views about the Holy Spirit. The Pentecostals and Charismatics overly emphasize the role of the Spirit. There is also the opposite extreme, undermining the role of the Holy Spirit. Such views are against the teachings of the Scriptures.
 
THOUGHT: Will I go as a missionary to a faraway land?

PRAYER: Father, glory and honour be unto Thee for Thy missionaries.

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