Moving in the Apostolic

110 Moving in the Apostolic

The church of Antioch became a sending church. Barnabas and Paul were sent forth as apostles (sent ones) from Antioch. From Antioch was launched one of the greatest apostolic ministries of all time. As a result of the sending forth of Barnabas and Saul—later, Silas and Paul—hundreds of churches were planted all over the known world. Antioch became a spiritual hub for apostles, prophets and teachers. Present there was an atmosphere conducive for the Spirit of God to separate and release ministries into the earth. Apostolic churches will have an apostolic spirit. Remember, the Holy Spirit is an apostolic Spirit. He is sent by the Father, and He sends ministries. Antioch is an example of a sending church operating in a strong apostolic dimension. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus (Acts 13:4). Barnabas and Saul were sent forth by the church at Antioch and by the Holy Spirit. Notice that the Holy Spirit works in conjunction with the Church in sending ministries. Sent ones are successful because they have the backing of the Church and the Lord. The apostolic spirit works through the apostolic church to release powerful ministries into the earth. The Macedonian Churches: Apostolic Distribution Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality (2 Cor. 8:1,2). Paul commended the churches of Macedonia for their liberal giving despite their poverty. Paul attributed this to grace. Remember, great grace is a manifestation of the apostolic anointing. Grace is the divine influence upon the heart that is often manifested through giving. Paul called this giving a "liberal sharing" or distribution (see 2 Cor. 9:13). The apostles in the Jerusalem church distributed to