“Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:And they wrote letters by them after this manner…” — Acts 15:22-35
The leaders of the church, and the church as a whole, decide to send “chosen men of their own company.” This represents an accurate example of the reply of the church to a world lost in sin, sending “chosen” individuals and families as missionaries.
I find it interesting these chosen ones are people from “their own company.” They are not transplants, they appear to be people who were saved, discipled, learned, and practiced ministry right there in their own church. Certainly some could have moved from Jerusalem to Antioch, or other locations, but they were essential and exemplary servants that were part of that congregation. There’s no better place to know and grow in the Lord, and to practice and prepare for ministry, than the local church. The local church is God’s sending agency to a world in need of the Gospel.
Let’s consider a few essential qualities they possessed in order to be considered as a sent one:
- They were Respected Individuals — vs. 22.
It says they were “chief men among the brethren.” They were chosen (vs. 22, 25) as well as chief men, which leads to believe that they led ministries, were loved and respected by others, and were evident spiritual leaders.
It would be silly to think that people that were not respected at home would be respected in a foreign land. Let an Individual prove himself and his abilities to lead others before being a sent one.
- They were Courageous Individuals — vs. 26.
They had “hazarded their lives” (vs. 26). It seems these were the Individuals that stood by Paul when others tried to kill him (9:23-25; 14:19). These men didn’t just preach nice sermons and give good lessons, they were willing to put their own lives on the line. These men lived Romans 1:16, they were not ashamed of the Gospel.
If an individual was unsuccessful in leading a coworker, neighbor, or friend to Christ at home, he would unlikely be able to do so in another part of the world. If his witness and dedication to Christ was weak at home, it would be destroyed when alone elsewhere. The geographical surroundings of a person doesn’t change the habits of a person. May one be bold, loving, and living for Christ where he or she is before being considered a sent one.
- They were Serving Individuals — vs. 31-32.
They didn’t believe they were better than others, in fact they were there to serve others. They put others first. They were examples. Their lives revealed their love of God (John 13:13-14).
Before Paul was chosen to leave Antioch, he was already serving in the congregation (Acts 13:1). It was no surprise Paul was a success serving elsewhere for he had already proven to serve in his church. And any individual being considered to be a sent one should be fervently serving where God has planted them. Though the local church should provide opportunities for one to serve, the individual should seek out ways to serve. An individual that does not serve at home will not serve in another part of the world. The lost world needs men and women willing to serve God and serve others, and our churches should prepare those individuals to be sent out to the harvest.
These men were:
- Men of Determination
- Men of Dedication
- Men of Declaration
- Men of Character
- Men of Compassion
- Men of Conviction