Antioch, Apostolic Centre

When thinking about the Biblical model of the apostolic centre, all I could think of is Antioch. Antioch eventually transformed into an Apostolic Centre and a gathering hub for the apostles. 

Antioch started receiving and sending its own apostolic teams to completely new areas of there ministry, which reported back to Antioch and not Jerusalem. Jerusalem and Antioch now have a non-controlling partnership relationship. 

Jerusalem and Antioch had a relationship, but neither one had the authority or control over the other. 

Antioch was focused on the Gentile world, while Jerusalem focused on the Diaspora (the scattered communities of Jews all over the Roman Empire. City Churches were established in Thessalonica and Ephesus. The birth of Thessalonica and Ephesus occurred in Antioch, and they became City churches and apostolic Regional Centers in their own right. Numerous new churches were established by them and they took care of them under their own direct apostolic care. Indigenous Apostles and other Ephesians were present. 4:11 ministries nurture them to maturity and then release them to build related but not controlled Apostolic Centers and City churches in their own nations as quickly as possible. In the Early Church, missionaries were assigned to apostolic teams that were either directly led or directed by apostles, and all missionary activities should be inspired and directed by apostolic principles. These missionaries were either Apostles themselves or delegates who served an Apostle from their home base or in the Center to which they were sent. We did not know solitary missionaries who did their own thing independently. As soon as indigenous Apostles emerged, the Churches were placed in the hands of the national government. Their control was not under the control of a foreign headquarters. Although financial and practical support continued occasionally, it was entrusted to the local Apostles, who were accountable for handling these resources with complete integrity. The Biblical pattern of One Church, One Body, One Family, and One House of God in the City working and serving together as members one of another is a reliable indicator of the validity and role of so-called 'Para Church' ministries. Despite the fact that we may meet in different communities for our Sunday meetings, we can see that no ministry created by God can be considered a the same. The church ministry is still a part of the one Body and the one Ekklesia or Community of believers in the City. If our focus is exclusively on our Local Church and our own things, we may perceive these ministries as outside of us or at best alongside us, but certainly not as a part of us. There are those who are called to the Church and those who are called to the Work. Watchman Nee's favorite expression was to make the distinction between serving God directly in the life of a Local Church and serving God in the wider work of establishing and extending the Kingdom. There are many Apostles, other ministries, and workers. 

Serving those ministries is a call to serve the Kingdom and the wider church body, and one cannot be too deeply involved in the life of a local community while also being a part of the community of believers. A local church that sees this with joy can be a non-demanding family base that allows such people to belong, be prayed for, supported, and refreshed without any demands on their time or gifts from the local community. By doing this, they are actively contributing to the wider work of the Kingdom, and as Jesus promised, they will receive their reward from the Lord. 

The apostolic center can be also described as the Atomic Power Stanton’s located in the strategic city’s. The apostolic power centres distributed cables throughout the region to illuminate each individual with the light of God's glory. Accessible to all who choose to come to the light and meet God, receive equipment, training, and be sent to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom.