27th Mar 26 | 16:08
Studies by Book
01 Acts 13 01-03 THE COMMISSIONING OF BARNABAS AND PAUL 09 Acts 13 02 The church must be one
📖 Acts 13:01-03
09 – Sun, 23 Feb 2025 – *The church must be one* - _Acts 13:01-03_ – THE COMMISSIONING OF BARNABAS AND PAUL – _John 17;21-23_
_Acts 13:2 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."_
We can understand that individually we are being led by the Holy Spirit, for He, the Holy Spirit, takes from the heart of God and brings God’s message to us. _I Corinthians 2:10-12 But *God has revealed them to us through His Spirit*. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. (11) For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so *no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God*. (12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, *that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God*._
We must understand the ways of the Holy Spirit. _I Corinthians 12:4-7 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (5) There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. (6) And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. (7) *But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all*:_
As much as the Lord reveals His purposes for us individually, *the Lord longs to reveal His purposes for us as His church, as we wait on Him in oneness*.
The word of God instructs us to be of one mind as the church in our singular pursuit of God. _Ephesians 4:3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace._ Apostle Paul expresses his longing for the church. _Philippians 2:1-2 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, (2) *fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind*._
This oneness in pursuing God must begin in each home, with the husband and wife. _I Peter 3:7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and *as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered*._ Are we cultivating this oneness in our homes and our marriages? I believe so many marriages in the church are struggling because *we have not cultivated oneness in our pursuit of God*. If we give ourselves to oneness in seeking God, our marriages will flourish.
This oneness is the very purpose of marriage. _Genesis 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh._
It is from this oneness in our marriages that we understand the purpose of us being one in the church, for we are the wife of Christ. _Ephesians 5:30-32 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. (31) "FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH." (32) *This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church*._
The church in Antioch was experiencing oneness in the spirit as they sought God to serve and worship Him. How wonderful it would be if this was the experience in all our churches! How very sad to see how we have allowed the devil to come in and bring discord among us that we are not able to come together in oneness in our pursuit of God!
It is as we have this oneness as the church in serving God that we glorify Him. _Romans 15:5-6 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, (6) *that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ*._
It is when they were serving, worshipping, and glorifying God in oneness that the Holy Spirit gave His message to the church in Antioch. We too can have the same experience today, as the church. It is when we, in oneness, serve the Lord, that He will reveal His plans to the church.
This was the prayer of Paul for the church. _Ephesians 1:16-17 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: (17) *that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him*,_
It is as we move forward as one people as the church, discerning the voice of God, that Jesus will be made known to the world. _John 17:21-23 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. (22) And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: (23) I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me._
```Jesus was being made known to the world for the church in Antioch was one.```