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THE BOOK OF ACTS

CHAPTER 13

REVIVAL SPREADS

THE CHALLENGE OF CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Missions spread the gospel and teach the message of grace to those who have not heard it.
Sending people God has called to specific missions should be an integral part of the local
church. We should be bold to preach God’s Word, even in the midst of persecution, but if an
individual or group rejects the message of the gospel, we need to move on to others whose
hearts are open.

THE BIRTH OF MISSIONS

Missionary activity emanating from a local church begins in Antioch. Throughout many of the
remaining chapters in the book of Acts, this church becomes the central launching place for
spreading the gospel.

Previously, individual men had gone in response to a directive from God after mission work had
already been established (Acts 8). However, not only is it God’s desire to send people out in
alignment with His will, but it is His desire for them to be recognized and sanctioned by church
leaders.

The Great Commission is a joint effort by God and man. God chooses Antioch as the place the
mission team will be sent from. Antioch becomes the center of missionary activity for many

chapters to come.

The church at Antioch is successful because:

1. It is not founded by the apostles; it has been founded by common men who were

disciples of Cyprus and Cyrene (11:29).
2. It grows under Barnabas, a man of grace (11:22-23). Saul, whose life was dedicated to
Gentiles and whose gift was teaching, grounds the church at Antioch (11:26). They are
instructed in grace from the start.
3. Antioch is a giving church. They give to Jerusalem, a legalistic church (11:29-30). They
give because it is their nature to give, not because of the nature of those in need. They
operated true love.