"While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting,
the Holy Spirit said,
'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away"
(Acts 13:2-3).
Cults and cult-like congregations are always tightly controlled and carefully monitored by their "all wise, always right" leaders. The book of Acts, however, paints a very different picture of healthy leadership. While the twelve apostles had, no doubt, a very unique role in the early church, and their authority is foundational to the church, the apostles do not function as "big brothers" in the book.
Key moments in the story of redemption
take place when God's people, who are not necessarily
at the top of the chain of command, preach God's word
(Stephen, Philip, etc.) and pray (Ananias, the church in Antioch, etc.).
Why?
Because healthy leadership and church growth is all about
The Acts of the Holy Spirit,
not
The Acts of the Apostles.
"So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to
Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus"
(Acts 13:4)
the Holy Spirit said,
'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away"
(Acts 13:2-3).
Cults and cult-like congregations are always tightly controlled and carefully monitored by their "all wise, always right" leaders. The book of Acts, however, paints a very different picture of healthy leadership. While the twelve apostles had, no doubt, a very unique role in the early church, and their authority is foundational to the church, the apostles do not function as "big brothers" in the book.
Key moments in the story of redemption
take place when God's people, who are not necessarily
at the top of the chain of command, preach God's word
(Stephen, Philip, etc.) and pray (Ananias, the church in Antioch, etc.).
Why?
Because healthy leadership and church growth is all about
The Acts of the Holy Spirit,
not
The Acts of the Apostles.
"So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to
Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus"
(Acts 13:4)
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