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As the book of Acts unfolds, things changed from a works-orientated Judean religion, with all it's oral traditions and laws, to a powerful dynamic new way of life. As the apostles and disciples grew and Gentiles became part of the church, we can look at a center of activity in Antioch of Syria where Judeans and Gentiles melded together to form a local first century church. In this church, according to Acts 13, there were prophets and teachers actively involved in its growth. It was decided that Paul and Barnabas needed to travel to other areas to start new groups. After prayer and consideration of this, they believed and agreed this is what the spirit had laid on their hearts. At that point, these two men functioned as apostles (apostolos in Greek means - he that is sent) and set out to travel around sharing about what Jesus Christ really meant to their lives. Apostles have very unique functions in this regard and it is important to understand, they don't send themselves, their call is from God. Without God the mission is fruitless.
Acts 13:1-4 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
The church at Antioch would have no lack. Not only did those who made the decision to send Paul continue to function, but all the believers in Antioch functioned to fulfill and minister the life in the body of which they were spiritual members. We are not talking about an organization or a denomination here, we are talking about living life in the body of Christ with Jesus Christ as the head. The holy spirit was the energizing and inspiration for every person to function. All too often in today's churches, the spiritual matters of a person are relegated to someone else thus taking away the individual's growth in walking by the spirit in a relationship with God.
We see this same principle as Paul went out to various cities and taught. He did not stay long as local groups came together. Paul taught them to rely on God and work together in true unity. Paul did not try to replace holy spirit for them. They tried to make Paul and Barnabas into gods themselves but Paul taught them plainly about going to God. He did circle back and check on them and sent communications to them from time to time. He also appointed elders to watch over the groups. The elders were from the locale area and rose up naturally as seasoned leaders and laborers. Paul was instrumental in allowing this to happen. He was humble enough to rely on God to recognize holy spirit working in others lives. The point of all of their teaching was that it was the same spirit of Christ from God that worked in all of them powerfully.
There are many gems to mine in Acts 13 and 14 to see the action of the spirit of God in setting up the church. Antioch was the first place disciples were called 'Christians'(Acts 11:26b). This church was so different from anything that had ever existed before. 'Christians' today would do well to look at this model. What was dynamic about the first century church was not the absence of bricks and stained glass. It was about the power of God manifested in everyday life in each disciple.
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