Acts 13:1-3 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.
The church at Antioch was blessed with multiple prophets and teachers. There came the day that as they were serving God and fasting the Holy Spirit spoke to them telling them to separate Barnabas and Saul for a particular work. They were called of God to take the gospel to farther into the Roman world and preach to more Gentiles. This is God’s way of working. In the midst of the church and its day-to-day serving God, he calls out missionaries. The church should be the place where teaching and sending is done.
These prophets and teachers were helping the disciples at Antioch to grow in their faith. There were no seminaries or Bible schools – that is what the church did! That is what the church should still do. Disciples should be able to grow right where they are and when they are called and separated by the Holy Spirit for a particular preaching task, it should be the church that sends them.
They did not go about this task lightly. After they had heard the voice of God, they fasted and prayed again making sure they knew the will of God. The church at Antioch had benefitted much by the teaching of Saul and Barnabas. They had grown but now it was time for the Holy Spirit to lead two of their beloved teachers on to new harvest fields. Are you in a church that is sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit? Do you benefit from the teaching of the gifted men who shepherd the flock? If you are you are blessed! Take every advantage of the gifts God has given to the church. (That is what the Bible says evangelists and pastor / teachers are.)
Ephesians 4:8, 11-12 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
Jesus gives gifted men to the church. These men are gifted to help the church grow in grace. He also calls gifted men to go to those places where they have not yet heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. Don’t be surprised if you hear the Lord calling you to help others know him. It is what he does!
In Christ,
Rody
