A Prophetic ModelA Prophetic Model

A Church A Ministry A Training Center A School of Ministry A Regional Gathering Kingdom Resource Centers Storehouses/Freedom Outpost

Centers.

Acts 11:26 the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. (The people of

Christ)

  Facts: Antioch=The Model that Produced Christ-People. Antioch was the third-largest city in the Roman Empire having a

population of 500,000. The Jewish population was 1/7. It was a multicultural, multi-political and commercial hub. One of the first seven deacons was Nicholas from Antioch. Antioch became a focal point after the stoning of Steven around 35

A.D.. That was a pivotal time in the area church. Acts 11:19-20. The Jerusalem church sent Barnabas to Antioch because of the many

reports of great things taking place. It is from there that Barnabas sought after Saul who became the

apostle Paul to help teach and ground the believers in Antioch. The Bible says there were prophets and teachers at Antioch. Acts 13.1-

2. Diversity in the community: Barnabas is believed to of been a wealthy

Jew. Saul a former Pharisee and Simeon a black man along with Lucius from North Africa. Others were formally of Herod’s court who were very political and well-educated along with the uneducated. We must deal with our lack of tolerance for our differences in culture, background etc. but without compromise of truth.

The Gentile experience in Antioch was so pronounced and profound that the Jerusalem church sent Barnabas to validate the authenticity of their experience.

From there Paul and Barnabas were commissioned on their missionary journey.

It was a plumb-line city with the revelation of God's word coming their first and being sent out from there to other portions of the region.

Functioned as a Hub for kingdom outreach. Acts 14:26-28. Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch to report on all the great things God had done in the journey. All participated in the fruit.

We know they were a praying church. Grounded in the truth. Followed the leading of the Holy Spirit. Were pioneering in nature for the Gentile dispensation. They were generous. When Agabus prophesied the famine the Antioch

Church took up an offering. Acts 11:28. Discerning and establishing of biblical prophecy. Acts 15:1-2. Paul and

Barnabas were sent from Antioch to Jerusalem to discuss the issue of the Gentile converts. (Very important application for present-day restoration)

 

The Ephesian ModelThe Ephesian Model Ephesus was a harbor gate to the region. And a

pathway leading to several key areas of the region.

Three trade routes converged at Ephesus making it a true hub for the region.

At the core was the worship of Artemis (Diana) whose temple was one of the seven wonders of the world. They made Persian marble 425 feet long, 260 feet wide with 127 pillars. Idol worship was big business.

The Ephesians community were a spiritually minded people.

It is believed the church of Ephesus was founded by a brief ministry of Paul (Acts 18:19-22) the following year he returned and remained for three years. Going first to the synagogue and then to the School. Acts 19.8-9. Around 52 AD.

“But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; 9 for a wide

door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” 1 Cor 16.8.

Priscilla and Aquila who tutored Apollos resulted in a spiritual and economic upheaval in Ephesus.

Paul pastored there for three years. Acts 20:17. Acts 19:25-27 Paul challenged the commerce

associated with false worship Paul wrote his epistle to the Ephesians around 60-62

A.D. also 1 and 2 Timothy were sent to Ephesus.

Attributes of the Ephesians Church

1.They were deeply spiritual and pure hearted.2. They initially possessed great zeal and love for God.3. They examined all messages by the absolute Plumb-line truth.4. Hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans5. Would not accept false apostles.6. They were resilient and persevered during hardship.

Address the seven mountain perspective of influence.

The new model is 1. presence driven; 2. Relationally driven (more like a family than a

hierarchy; ) 3. Identity driven; 4. Finally, then purpose driven. We are all on some level of development in order to

influence our geographical surroundings, culture and spheres of influence.

The hubs will be sources for the Plumb-line message of God's kingdom to be revealed, taught and imparted so that others can carry that message to the four corners of the earth.

Much of the outreach will be to the church itself. It will be a revolving door of incoming and outgoing

Saints.  

Churches Birthed From Churches Birthed From Antioch Antioch

Corinth Corinth Philippi Philippi Colossi Colossi Ephesus Ephesus Thessalonica Thessalonica

Attribute of Antioch ChurchAttribute of Antioch Church Devoted to Prayer and Fasting and Devoted to Prayer and Fasting and

Ministering to the Lord. Acts 13:1-3.Ministering to the Lord. Acts 13:1-3. Devoted to the Prophetic Gospel. Devoted to the Prophetic Gospel.

Teaching Kingdom Truth by the Spirit of Teaching Kingdom Truth by the Spirit of Revelation. There were prophets and Revelation. There were prophets and teachers and the prophet named Agabus teachers and the prophet named Agabus who accurately predicted famine.who accurately predicted famine.

Devoted to Charitable Giving and Devoted to Charitable Giving and sensitivity to the needs of others. They sensitivity to the needs of others. They became a source of blessing. Acts 11:27.became a source of blessing. Acts 11:27.

Devoted to Team MinistryDevoted to Team Ministry

Devoted to a racially and culturally diverse community. Acts 13:1-2Devoted to a racially and culturally diverse community. Acts 13:1-2

Order was significant in the ancient listings of names. Barnabas, Order was significant in the ancient listings of names. Barnabas, formerly Joseph of Cyprus, had been given his new name by the formerly Joseph of Cyprus, had been given his new name by the Apostles. Barnabas means “Son of Encouragement”. He first Apostles. Barnabas means “Son of Encouragement”. He first appears as a generous benefactor of the poor. Later, he appears as a generous benefactor of the poor. Later, he championed the newly converted Saul when the Christians in championed the newly converted Saul when the Christians in Jerusalem were struggling to trust their former persecutor. The Jerusalem were struggling to trust their former persecutor. The man with the big, loving heart is listed first, because he is likely man with the big, loving heart is listed first, because he is likely the dominant character in the church at Antioch, having been the the dominant character in the church at Antioch, having been the man commissioned by the Apostles in Jerusalem to go to Antioch in man commissioned by the Apostles in Jerusalem to go to Antioch in the first place (11:22).the first place (11:22).

"Simeon called Niger"Simeon called Niger" " is next. "Niger" is a Roman name meaning is next. "Niger" is a Roman name meaning “black.” He was probably a black man. Some legends identify him “black.” He was probably a black man. Some legends identify him with Simon of Cyrene, a city in northern Africa. Simon of Cyrene with Simon of Cyrene, a city in northern Africa. Simon of Cyrene was the man compelled by the Romans to carry the cross of Jesus was the man compelled by the Romans to carry the cross of Jesus to Golgotha. Whether this was the same Simon or not, "Lucius” is to Golgotha. Whether this was the same Simon or not, "Lucius” is clearly identified with “Cyrene”. We already know that Antioch had clearly identified with “Cyrene”. We already know that Antioch had bridged the division between the Jewish and Gentile worlds. Might bridged the division between the Jewish and Gentile worlds. Might it have also bridged racial dividesit have also bridged racial divides??

Antioch Standards

A. Pioneer new moves of GodB. Able to move under intense pressureC. Move without compromiseD. Move in progressive revelationE. Move under authorityF. Move to impact society

Impart the Spiritual DNA of the Hub into the extended communities connected through the spokes of the Wheel with the Mandate to Gather & Guard.