Spirit Led Ekklesia
From Acts 13, Pastor Bawa invites us into a conversation with the church in Antioch to see principles and practices we need to exemplify what it means to be a "Spirit-led ekklesia." The church - the ekklesia of God - is a place of joy, but not an alternative source of entertainment. In the church, joy is expressed through reverence for God and holy living. The church is not a business but an organic community expressing the character of Christ through fellowship. The church is not like a political party - we don't define ourselves by what makes us different from other believers because Jesus came to build a kingdom of the citizens of heaven.
The church is the community of the "called-out" ones. These two ideas are expressed in the Greek work ek (out of) klesia (called). The church is the people Jesus has called out of darkness and into light, the community of the redeemed. Responding to that call we walk away from influences and behaviours that separate us from Jesus.
The Acts passage highlights two Christian ministries - prophets and teachers - to highlight the church's ministry of witness to the community, taking people on a journey to a vibrant life of faith in Christ. We also see, (from the names of individuals mentioned) the multicultural nature of the church. Some of the people mentioned would have been regarded as significant individuals in their communities. But they are now equally submitted to Jesus and to working with each other for the sake of the kingdom.
A Spirit-led church is one that respects the voice of the Holy Spirit. Time and again we read in Acts how the Holy Spirit speaks to individuals to lead, guide, and restrain, and speaks also to the church. The Spirit will also speak through his prophets and through the scriptures.
A Spirit-led church will be made up of people at various stages of life. We cherish them through their unique experience of life, including children, families, and single people.
We also see how, in a Spirit-led church, He is free to call and send people to new places and situations. In such a church we release our best to mission.
Finally, we notice how, as Saul and Barnabas go out in mission, they find someone willing to listen to the Gospel, and opposition their message. A Spirit-led church is unafraid to confront the forces of God's enemy.
Pastor Bawa leaves us with a question. How do you see yourself as part of the body of Christ, hearing the Spirit, living missionally and seeking to display the glory of Jesus in the world? We pray you will be free to live out all that God has called you to do and to be in the life of his Spirit-led, called out community.
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