Acts 13:1-3 - Barnabas and Saul commissioned

So far, Luke in this second account, had already traced the spread of the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. So he would be taking us into the next phase. That is, the launching of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Paul had already been converted, called and commissioned. And he would be a key figure to the mission to reach the ends of the earth. Furthermore, we have already seen the founding of the church in Antioch, the mission centre. This would become the base for future mission activity.

Here in Chapter 13:1, we can tell that the scene was prepared. The church was  ready for the next big thrust, Paul's first missionary journey. It was one guided and directed by the Holy Spirit.

Barnabas and Saul had returned from their relief mission recorded in Acts 12:25. They were just two, of the five mentioned leaders, among the fast growing church. There were designated prophets and teachers. The prophets would be guided by the Spirit to provide direction for the present and future. And the teachers would impart Spirit-guided interpretation and teaching of the Word.

Apart from Barnabas and Saul, we are now introduced to three others. Simeon who was also called Niger. This could be Simon of Cyrene, the man who was tasked to carried the cross of the Lord while on the Road to Calvary, recorded in Mark 15:20. Then we have Lucius of Cyrene and a surprise inclusion, Manaen who was said to have grown up with Herod.

The inclusion of Manaen or Menahem, a Hebrew name, is a great tribute to God's grace. Despite his background, yet the Lord had gifted him to be a prophet and teacher in the church in Antioch.

Notice that in the list of five leaders, Saul was mentioned last. It was because he was the latest addition to the leadership. Remember it was Barnabas who sought him out in Tarsus and brought him to Antioch to help with the work.  

This few brief verses tell a lot about the spiritual climate of the church at that time. We are not told whether that was a regular worship service or not, but they were ministering to the Lord during a time of fasting. They were seeking His will for them.  Then the Holy Spirit spoke and directed through one of the prophets.

The church was told to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work God had set apart for them specifically. After they had fasted and prayed, they laid hand on the two and consecrated and sent them off to their God-directed mission.

These three verses reveal to us the spiritual climate of the church in Antioch. It was a church with much happening. Their activities show how earnest they were about their work with the Lord. They prayed, fasted, listened, obeyed, consecrated, commissioned, released and sent.

God's purposes and plans, whether personal or corporate, are usually clearly identified and determined through earnest prayer that includes fasting. A life energized by such spiritual exercises connects better with the Lord. Through such spiritual exercises, the  climate and the space would be set for the Lord to speak uninterrupted and for us to hear Him clearly and specifically.