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Acts 13:1
Verse
Context
Paul’s First Missionary Journey Begins
1Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul.2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Sermons
Derek Prince
Stephen Kaung
Ralph Mahoney
Paris ReidheadSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Certain prophets and teachers - Προφηται και διδασκαλοι. It is probable that these were not distinct offices; both might be vested in the same persons. By prophets we are to understand, when the word is taken simply, persons who were frequently inspired to predict future events, and by teachers, persons whose ordinary office was to instruct the people in the Christian doctrine. These also, to be properly qualified for the office, must have been endued with the influence of the Holy Spirit; for, as but a very small portion of the Scriptures of the New Testament could have as yet been given, it was necessary that the teachers should derive much of their own teaching by immediate revelation from God. On prophets and teachers, see the note on Act 11:27. Barnabas - Of whom see before, Act 11:22-24. Simeon-Niger - Or Simeon the Black, either because of his complexion, or his hair. It was on reasons of this kind that surnames, surnoms, name upon name were first imposed. Of this Simeon nothing farther is known. Lucius of Cyrene - See Act 11:20. Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod - Our margin has given the proper meaning of the original word συντροφος, a foster-brother; i.e. Manaen was the son of the woman who nursed Herod Antipas; and the son, also, whose milk the young Herod shared. Of a person whose name was Manaen or Menahem, and who was in the court of Herod, we read several things in the Jewish writers. They say that this man had the gift of prophecy, and that he told Herod, when he was but a child, that he would be king. When Herod became king he sent for him to his court, and held him in great estimation. It might have been the son of this Menahem of whom St. Luke here speaks. Dr. Lightfoot has shown this to be at least possible.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
We have here a divine warrant and commission to Barnabas and Saul to go and preach the gospel among the Gentiles, and their ordination to that service by the imposition of hands, with fasting and prayer. I. Here is an account of the present state of the church at Antioch, which was planted, Act 11:20. 1. How well furnished it was with good ministers; there were there certain prophets and teachers (Act 13:1), men that were eminent for gifts, graces, and usefulness. Christ, when he ascended on high, gave some prophets and some teachers (Eph 4:11); these were both. Agabus seems to have been a prophet and not a teacher, and many were teachers who were not prophets; but those here mentioned were at times divinely inspired, and had instructions immediately from heaven upon special occasions, which gave them the title of prophets; and withal they were stated teachers of the church in their religious assemblies, expounded the scriptures, and opened the doctrine of Christ with suitable applications. These were the prophets, and scribes, or teachers, which Christ promised to send (Mat 23:34), such as were every way qualified for the service of the Christian church. Antioch was a great city, and the Christians there were many, so that they could not all meet in one place; it was therefore requisite they should have many teachers, to preside in their respective assemblies, and to deliver God's mind to them. Barnabas is first named, probably because he was the eldest, and Saul last, probably because he was the youngest; but afterwards the last became first, and Saul more eminent in the church. Three others are mentioned. (1.) Simeon, or Simon, who for distinction-sake was called Niger, Simon the Black, from the color of his hair; like him that with us was surnamed the Black Prince. (2.) Lucius of Cyrene, who some think (and Dr. Lightfoot inclines to it) was the same with this Luke that wrote the Acts, originally a Cyrenian, and educated in the Cyrenian college or synagogue at Jerusalem, and there first receiving the gospel. (3.) Manaen, a person of some quality, as it should seem, for he was brought up with Herod the tetrarch, either nursed of the same milk, or bred at the same school, or pupil to the same tutor, or rather one that was his constant colleague and companion - that in every part of his education was his comrade and intimate, which gave him a fair prospect of preferment at court, and yet for Christ's sake he quitted all the hopes of it; like Moses, who, when he had come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. Had he joined in with Herod, with whom he was brought up, he might have had Blastus's place, and have been his chamberlain; but it is better to be fellow-sufferer with a saint than fellow-persecutor with a tetrarch. 2. How well employed they were (Act 13:2): They ministered to the Lord, and fasted. Observe, (1.) Diligent faithful teachers do truly minister unto the Lord. Those that instruct Christians serve Christ; they really do him honour, and carry on the interest of his kingdom. Those that minister to the church in praying and preaching (both which are included here), minister unto the Lord, for they are the church's servants for Christ's sake; to him they must have an eye in their ministrations, and from him they shall have their recompence. (2.) Ministering to the Lord, in one way or other, ought to be the stated business of churches and their teachers; to this work time ought to be set apart, nay, it is set apart, and in this work we ought to spend some part of every day. What have we to do as Christians and ministers but to serve the Lord Christ? Col 3:24; Rom 14:18. (3.) Religious fasting is of use in our ministering to the Lord, both as a sign of our humiliation and a means of our mortification. Though it was not so much practised by the disciples of Christ, while the bridegroom was with them, as it was by the disciples of John and of the Pharisees; yet, after the bridegroom was taken away, they abounded in it, as those that had well learned to deny themselves and to endure hardness. II. The orders given by the Holy Ghost for the setting apart of Barnabas and Saul, while they were engaged in public exercises, the ministers of the several congregations in the city joining in one solemn fast or day of prayer: The Holy Ghost said, either by a voice from heaven, or by a strong impulse on the minds of those of them that were prophets, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. He does not specify the work, but refers to a former call of which they themselves knew the meaning, whether others did or no: as for Saul, he was particularly told that he must bear Christ's name to the Gentiles (Act 9:15), that he must be sent to the Gentiles (Act 22:21); the matter was settled between them at Jerusalem before this, that as Peter, James, and John laid out themselves among those of the circumcision, so Paul and Barnabas should go to the heathen, Gal 2:7-9. Barnabas, it is likely, knew himself designed for this service as well as Paul. Yet they would not thrust themselves into this harvest, though it appeared plenteous, till they received their orders from the Lord of the harvest: Thrust in thy sickle for the harvest is ripe, Rev 14:15. The orders were, Separate me Barnabas and Saul. Observe here, 1. Christ by his Spirit has the nomination of his ministers; for it is by the Spirit of Christ that they are qualified in some measure for his services, inclined to it, and taken off from other cares inconsistent with it. There are some whom the Holy Ghost has separated for the service of Christ, has distinguished from others as men that are offered and that willingly offer themselves to the temple service; and concerning them directions are given to those who are competent judges of the sufficiency of the abilities and the sincerity of the inclination: Separate them. 2. Christ's ministers are separated to him and to the Holy Ghost: Separate them to me; they are to be employed in Christ's work and under the Spirit's guidance, to the glory of God the Father. 3. All that are separated to Christ as his ministers are separated to work; Christ keeps no servants to be idle. If any man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work; that is what he is separated to, to labour in the word and doctrine. They are separated to take pains, not to take state. 4. The work of Christ's ministers, to which they are to be separated, is work that is already settled, and that which all Christ's ministers hitherto have been called to, and which they themselves have first been, by an external call, directed to and have chosen. III. Their ordination, pursuant to these orders: not to the ministry in general (Barnabas and Saul had both of them been ministers long before this), but to a particular service in the ministry, which had something peculiar in it, and which required a fresh commission, which commission God saw fit at this time to transmit by the hands of these prophets and teachers, for the giving of this direction to the church, that teachers should ordain teachers (for prophets we are not now any longer to expect), and that those who have the dispensing of the oracles of Christ committed to them should, for the benefit of posterity, commit the same to faithful men, who shall be able also to teach others, Ti2 2:2. So here, Simeon, and Lucius, and Manaen, faithful teachers at this time in the church of Antioch, when they had fasted and prayed, laid their hands on Barnabas and Saul, and sent them away (Act 13:3), according to the directions received. Observe, 1. They prayed for them. When good men are going forth about good work, they ought to be solemnly and particularly prayed for, especially by their brethren that are their fellow-labourers and fellow-soldiers. 2. They joined fasting with their prayers, as they did in their other ministrations, Act 13:3. Christ has taught us this by his abstaining from sleep (a night-fast, if I may so call it) the night before he sent forth his apostles, that he might spend it in prayer. 3. They laid their hands on them. Hereby, (1.) They gave them their manumission, dismission, or discharge from the present service they were engaged in, in the church of Antioch, acknowledging that they went off not only fairly and with consent, but honourably and with a good report. (2.) They implored a blessing upon them in their present undertaking, begged that God would be with them, and give them success; and, in order to this, that they might be filled with the Holy Ghost in their work. This very thing is explained Act 14:26, where it is said, concerning Paul and Barnabas, that from Antioch they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. As it was an instance of the humility of Barnabas and Saul that they submitted to the imposition of the hands of those that were their equals, or rather their inferiors; so it was of the good disposition of the other teachers that they did not envy Barnabas and Saul the honour to which they were preferred, but cheerfully committed it to them, with hearty prayers for them; and they sent them away with all expedition, out of a concern for those countries where they were to break up fallow ground.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
13:1-3 The prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch spent significant time in worship and prayer, earnestly seeking the Lord’s will as they fasted and opened themselves to divine direction. As they prayed, the Holy Spirit spoke to them, and they set apart Barnabas and Saul in clear recognition of God’s call for them to carry out a special work in his name. The believers’ inward journey in prayer and listening to God is matched by their outward journey in service, evangelism, and mighty works of healing and salvation. 13:1 prophets and teachers: See “The Gift of Prophecy” Theme Note; see also 1 Cor 12:28-29; Eph 4:11. • The name Simeon suggests a Jewish background (see Gen 29:33; Luke 2:25; 3:30); he is also called “the black man”—he was probably of African descent. • Lucius is a Latin name; he came from Cyrene, the capital of Libya in North Africa. He was probably one of the preachers from Cyrene who had brought the Christian message to Antioch (Acts 11:20). • Manaen had been brought up with King Herod Antipas; he was probably Luke’s source for insight into Antipas’s thoughts and actions (see Luke 9:7-9). • Barnabas and Saul are prominently featured in the subsequent narrative.
Acts 13:1
Paul’s First Missionary Journey Begins
1Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul.2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Taking Time to Wait on God - Part 1
By Derek Prince21K32:22ACT 13:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of falling in love with Jesus and making Him the center of our lives. Through a three-week period of seeking the Lord, the speaker and the congregation realized how far they had strayed from their first love and the centrality of Christ. The calling was to enter into the bridal chamber and return to their first love, deepening their intimacy with Jesus. As they yielded more to Him, their joy and worship increased, and they spent whole sessions reveling in His love. The speaker also highlights the importance of waiting on God, as He acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. The speaker encourages the church to sit at Jesus' feet, like Mary, and enter into His rest, resting from their own works. The Song of Solomon serves as a guideline for the developing love relationship between the bride and the bridegroom. The speaker concludes by expressing a strong desire to continue looking unto Jesus and wishing the same for all believers.
Anotich, Apostolic, Sending and Setting
By Art Katz11K2:02:53ACT 13:1
This sermon emphasizes the importance of fully inhabiting and possessing the spiritual gifts and callings that God has given to His people. It calls for a deep understanding and expression of God's wisdom and understanding, seeking to hear and follow His voice. The speaker prays for a manifestation of Christ in the believers, urging them to rise up in faith and expectation for the demands of the last days. The message highlights the unity and diversity within the church, pointing to the need for reconciliation and authentic love among believers.
K-536 Defining the Prophetic Call (1 of 2)
By Art Katz1.8K58:55Prophetic CallJER 23:10JHN 2:1ACT 13:11CO 13:9REV 19:10In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the miracle of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana. He suggests that this miracle has a deeper meaning, pointing to the future and the last days. The speaker emphasizes the importance of obeying Jesus' words, as Mary advised, and highlights the role of prophets like Elijah and Jeremiah in warning Israel of impending judgments. He also reflects on the value of personal experiences in delivering messages, even when they may be embarrassing, and discusses the seriousness and requirements that God is now placing on the church.
Responsibility in the Work - Questions and Answers
By Stephen Kaung1.4K44:26ResponsibilityACT 13:1In this sermon, Brother Stephen Kong discusses the importance of the work of God and the different roles within it. He emphasizes that God has called certain individuals, such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, to carry out His work. These individuals are chosen and trained by the Lord Himself, just as Jesus personally trained His disciples. Brother Kong encourages believers to start serving in the local assembly and not to aim too high at the beginning, but to faithfully use the gifts and abilities that God has given them.
The Mystery of Incarnation (7 of 9)
By Art Katz1.3K1:06:39IncarnationISA 6:8ACT 13:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationship between the Father and the Son in the context of the church and ministry. He highlights the need for humility and recognizing our position as creatures before the Creator. The speaker shares a personal experience of being overwhelmed by the presence of God and realizing his own insignificance. He also mentions a challenging moment during a speaking engagement in Africa where he felt the atmosphere was not conducive to delivering a prophetic message.
Depart From Me, I Never Knew You - Part 1
By Ralph Mahoney1.2K54:36Knowing GodEZK 44:15MAT 28:19ACT 13:1REV 17:14In this sermon, the speaker discusses a man who was locked up due to an unjust past wound and hurt. The speaker emphasizes that God judged the men who attacked this man severely. However, the man himself gave up his inheritance in God because of his deep wounds. The speaker encourages the audience to not settle for doing less than what the word of the Lord commands and to stay open to the Holy Spirit's leading. The sermon also touches on the importance of unity and the need to be with God.
Fellowship in Ministering to the Lord
By Paris Reidhead1.1K28:59FellowshipACT 13:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and applying three specific verses. He describes how David Brainerd knelt in the snow and ministered to the Lord, fasting and losing awareness of bodily discomfort. The speaker believes that it is crucial for individuals and the church to grasp the meaning of these verses and integrate them into their lives. He explains that the gifts of the Spirit and blessings from God come as a result of obedience and walking in the truth. The speaker encourages listeners to recognize the teaching ministry of the Word and to devote themselves to prayer and ministering to the Lord in order to experience God's presence and power.
Missions Conf 16.7.2001 Eng to Korean
By George Verwer93651:11Missions ConferenceACT 13:1In this sermon, the speaker shares his deep love for the book of Proverbs and how it has been a source of wisdom and inspiration for him for over 44 years. He mentions that one of his own proverbs has gained popularity worldwide, stating that when two or three of the Lord's people gather, there will eventually be a mess, but they should still gather. The speaker also discusses his book, which contains seven seminars and has been published in multiple languages, selling over 130,000 copies. He then introduces the X-13 vision, emphasizing the importance of looking at what God did in the first century as a model for world missions in the 21st century. The speaker expresses his excitement for the next 10 years, as the church growth movement and missions vision merge for phenomenal results. He encourages churches, regardless of their size, to participate in reaching everyone in the world with the gospel. The speaker highlights the need to focus on nations and areas where the church is either non-existent or very small, particularly those within the 1040 window.
Partnership With the Church
By George Verwer60350:05MAT 9:38ACT 11:19ACT 12:5ACT 12:12ACT 13:1ACT 13:3ACT 13:6In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer and corporate prayer in churches. They share a story of a church in Switzerland that experienced a transformation in their prayer ministry through a leaflet. The speaker also discusses the need for correct thinking and not judging others' ways as inferior. They highlight the importance of love, esteem, grace, and humility in building relationships with churches. Lastly, the speaker addresses the issue of evangelism and the importance of missionaries getting involved in the evangelistic ministry of their own church.
Jordan
By Robert B. Thompson5211:18:00JOS 1:1MAL 3:3MAT 6:33ACT 13:1ROM 7:18EPH 5:27HEB 9:28In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of knowledge and its impact on our lives. He highlights that knowledge alone is not enough; it is the transformation and experiences that result from that knowledge that truly matter. The speaker also discusses the role of Christians as kings and their future reign on earth. He connects the Old Testament to the New Testament, citing 1 Corinthians 10:4 as evidence that the Old Testament is relevant to Christians. The sermon concludes with a reminder that Christianity as we know it is changing, and it is our responsibility to understand and explain this new day.
2 Convention Missionnaire 2005 Acts 13 (French)
By George Verwer23357:05FrenchACT 13:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the church in global evangelization. He mentions that local churches are the key to spreading the word of God worldwide. The speaker also highlights the need for more workers in missions and encourages the audience to pray for more laborers. He shares a vision of seeing thousands of churches sending out new workers and witnessing a great movement of global missions. The sermon emphasizes the significance of worship, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the importance of work in fulfilling the special work of spreading the gospel.
Traits of a Genuine Bible Teacher
By R. Stanley0JHN 3:1ACT 13:1ACT 17:11ACT 20:27ROM 3:4EPH 4:11EPH 4:151TI 4:13HEB 4:121JN 2:27R. Stanley emphasizes the importance of falling in love with the Word of God rather than attracting followers to himself, highlighting the infallibility of the Bible compared to human fallibility. He fearlessly teaches God's Word, prioritizing truth over denominational beliefs, speaking with both firmness and gentleness. R. Stanley ensures to teach the 'whole' counsel of God, avoiding cherry-picking topics and balancing facts with feelings. He goes beyond teaching true and false doctrines, training others in the art of discernment and spiritual growth.
Paul's First Missionary Journey: Cyprus--Acts 13:1-13
By J.R. Miller0Missionary WorkPerseverance in FaithACT 13:1J.R. Miller discusses the significance of Paul's first missionary journey, emphasizing the role of the Antioch church in sending out missionaries under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He highlights the diverse backgrounds of the church's leaders, particularly Manaen, who serves as an example of how one's environment does not determine one's character. The sermon also addresses the challenges faced by missionaries, including opposition from figures like Elymas the sorcerer, and the importance of perseverance in faith, as seen in the story of John Mark's temporary defection. Ultimately, Miller encourages believers to recognize their unique roles in God's mission, regardless of their position or experience.
Facts About Acts
By Victor Maxwell0JHN 19:30ACT 1:8ACT 2:41ACT 9:36ACT 13:1ACT 28:30COL 4:142TI 4:11Victor Maxwell preaches on the book of Acts, highlighting how it continues the unfinished work of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the importance of the church's role in carrying out God's mission. He discusses the aim of Acts, which provides us with hope, humility, and factual honesty, urging for a revival in the church. Maxwell delves into the author of Acts, Luke, describing him as a modest, methodical, meticulous, medical missionary, and meaningful man who played a significant role in recording the history of the early church. The sermon also includes an analysis of Acts, outlining the founding and establishing of the church, the forward emphasis of the church, and the foreign evangelism by the church, showing the progression and expansion of the early Christian movement.
Atheism Among the Jews
By Robert Wurtz II0PRO 16:18JER 2:13ACT 13:1ROM 10:14Robert Wurtz II addresses the concerning prevalence of atheism among the Jews, highlighting the high percentage of atheists and agnostics within the Jewish population compared to the national average. He explores the question of whether Jewish history is a testimony to the absence of God, emphasizing the survival and identity of the Jewish people as evidence of God's providence. Wurtz delves into the impact of adversity on fostering atheism, particularly in cases where negative experiences distort one's perception of God. He also discusses the dangers of power and authority leading to spiritual corruption, drawing parallels between historical Jewish and Christian leaders' misuse of authority.
Commentary Notes - Acts
By Walter Beuttler0ACT 1:8ACT 2:1ACT 8:26ACT 10:1ACT 13:1ACT 15:1ACT 16:25ACT 20:17ACT 27:1ACT 28:30Walter Beuttler preaches on the Book of Acts, highlighting the comprehensive yet limited title 'The Acts of the Apostles' as it mainly focuses on Peter and Paul's ministries, including other notable individuals and the acts of Jesus working through them. The book serves as a connecting link between the Gospels and the Epistles, emphasizing the Holy Spirit's personality and activity. It covers about thirty years of events, starting with the preaching of the gospel in Jerusalem and ending with the gospel reaching Rome, showcasing the power of the gospel.
The Holy Spirit and Missions
By Andrew Murray0The Holy SpiritMissionsACT 13:1Andrew Murray emphasizes the vital role of the Holy Spirit in missions, illustrating how the early Church at Antioch was guided by the Spirit to set apart Barnabas and Saul for their mission work. He highlights that true mission work is born from a revival of religious life, where believers are led by the Spirit in prayer and fasting. Murray stresses that the Holy Spirit empowers Christians to witness for Christ and that missions are fundamentally the work of the Spirit. He calls for the Church to recognize the importance of waiting on the Spirit for guidance in mission efforts, ensuring that all work is done in His power. Ultimately, he encourages believers to yield to the Holy Spirit, who is essential for the success of missions.
Call for True Laborers
By Walter Beuttler0PSA 75:5ISA 6:8ISA 59:16EZK 1:1EZK 22:30LUK 10:1ACT 13:12TI 1:11Walter Beuttler shares his upcoming missionary journey to France, West Africa, Ivory Coast, Indonesia, Australia, and back to Africa, highlighting the divine appointments God gives for specific work and the importance of being willing to go where God leads. He emphasizes the need for prayer for more laborers in the harvest field, both locally and globally, and the significance of being equipped by God rather than relying on worldly wisdom. Beuttler stresses the importance of having an open heaven, receiving personal revelations from God, and being willing to listen and obey God's voice. He challenges listeners to be intercessors and to respond to God's call to go and work in His kingdom.
- Adam Clarke
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Certain prophets and teachers - Προφηται και διδασκαλοι. It is probable that these were not distinct offices; both might be vested in the same persons. By prophets we are to understand, when the word is taken simply, persons who were frequently inspired to predict future events, and by teachers, persons whose ordinary office was to instruct the people in the Christian doctrine. These also, to be properly qualified for the office, must have been endued with the influence of the Holy Spirit; for, as but a very small portion of the Scriptures of the New Testament could have as yet been given, it was necessary that the teachers should derive much of their own teaching by immediate revelation from God. On prophets and teachers, see the note on Act 11:27. Barnabas - Of whom see before, Act 11:22-24. Simeon-Niger - Or Simeon the Black, either because of his complexion, or his hair. It was on reasons of this kind that surnames, surnoms, name upon name were first imposed. Of this Simeon nothing farther is known. Lucius of Cyrene - See Act 11:20. Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod - Our margin has given the proper meaning of the original word συντροφος, a foster-brother; i.e. Manaen was the son of the woman who nursed Herod Antipas; and the son, also, whose milk the young Herod shared. Of a person whose name was Manaen or Menahem, and who was in the court of Herod, we read several things in the Jewish writers. They say that this man had the gift of prophecy, and that he told Herod, when he was but a child, that he would be king. When Herod became king he sent for him to his court, and held him in great estimation. It might have been the son of this Menahem of whom St. Luke here speaks. Dr. Lightfoot has shown this to be at least possible.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
We have here a divine warrant and commission to Barnabas and Saul to go and preach the gospel among the Gentiles, and their ordination to that service by the imposition of hands, with fasting and prayer. I. Here is an account of the present state of the church at Antioch, which was planted, Act 11:20. 1. How well furnished it was with good ministers; there were there certain prophets and teachers (Act 13:1), men that were eminent for gifts, graces, and usefulness. Christ, when he ascended on high, gave some prophets and some teachers (Eph 4:11); these were both. Agabus seems to have been a prophet and not a teacher, and many were teachers who were not prophets; but those here mentioned were at times divinely inspired, and had instructions immediately from heaven upon special occasions, which gave them the title of prophets; and withal they were stated teachers of the church in their religious assemblies, expounded the scriptures, and opened the doctrine of Christ with suitable applications. These were the prophets, and scribes, or teachers, which Christ promised to send (Mat 23:34), such as were every way qualified for the service of the Christian church. Antioch was a great city, and the Christians there were many, so that they could not all meet in one place; it was therefore requisite they should have many teachers, to preside in their respective assemblies, and to deliver God's mind to them. Barnabas is first named, probably because he was the eldest, and Saul last, probably because he was the youngest; but afterwards the last became first, and Saul more eminent in the church. Three others are mentioned. (1.) Simeon, or Simon, who for distinction-sake was called Niger, Simon the Black, from the color of his hair; like him that with us was surnamed the Black Prince. (2.) Lucius of Cyrene, who some think (and Dr. Lightfoot inclines to it) was the same with this Luke that wrote the Acts, originally a Cyrenian, and educated in the Cyrenian college or synagogue at Jerusalem, and there first receiving the gospel. (3.) Manaen, a person of some quality, as it should seem, for he was brought up with Herod the tetrarch, either nursed of the same milk, or bred at the same school, or pupil to the same tutor, or rather one that was his constant colleague and companion - that in every part of his education was his comrade and intimate, which gave him a fair prospect of preferment at court, and yet for Christ's sake he quitted all the hopes of it; like Moses, who, when he had come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. Had he joined in with Herod, with whom he was brought up, he might have had Blastus's place, and have been his chamberlain; but it is better to be fellow-sufferer with a saint than fellow-persecutor with a tetrarch. 2. How well employed they were (Act 13:2): They ministered to the Lord, and fasted. Observe, (1.) Diligent faithful teachers do truly minister unto the Lord. Those that instruct Christians serve Christ; they really do him honour, and carry on the interest of his kingdom. Those that minister to the church in praying and preaching (both which are included here), minister unto the Lord, for they are the church's servants for Christ's sake; to him they must have an eye in their ministrations, and from him they shall have their recompence. (2.) Ministering to the Lord, in one way or other, ought to be the stated business of churches and their teachers; to this work time ought to be set apart, nay, it is set apart, and in this work we ought to spend some part of every day. What have we to do as Christians and ministers but to serve the Lord Christ? Col 3:24; Rom 14:18. (3.) Religious fasting is of use in our ministering to the Lord, both as a sign of our humiliation and a means of our mortification. Though it was not so much practised by the disciples of Christ, while the bridegroom was with them, as it was by the disciples of John and of the Pharisees; yet, after the bridegroom was taken away, they abounded in it, as those that had well learned to deny themselves and to endure hardness. II. The orders given by the Holy Ghost for the setting apart of Barnabas and Saul, while they were engaged in public exercises, the ministers of the several congregations in the city joining in one solemn fast or day of prayer: The Holy Ghost said, either by a voice from heaven, or by a strong impulse on the minds of those of them that were prophets, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. He does not specify the work, but refers to a former call of which they themselves knew the meaning, whether others did or no: as for Saul, he was particularly told that he must bear Christ's name to the Gentiles (Act 9:15), that he must be sent to the Gentiles (Act 22:21); the matter was settled between them at Jerusalem before this, that as Peter, James, and John laid out themselves among those of the circumcision, so Paul and Barnabas should go to the heathen, Gal 2:7-9. Barnabas, it is likely, knew himself designed for this service as well as Paul. Yet they would not thrust themselves into this harvest, though it appeared plenteous, till they received their orders from the Lord of the harvest: Thrust in thy sickle for the harvest is ripe, Rev 14:15. The orders were, Separate me Barnabas and Saul. Observe here, 1. Christ by his Spirit has the nomination of his ministers; for it is by the Spirit of Christ that they are qualified in some measure for his services, inclined to it, and taken off from other cares inconsistent with it. There are some whom the Holy Ghost has separated for the service of Christ, has distinguished from others as men that are offered and that willingly offer themselves to the temple service; and concerning them directions are given to those who are competent judges of the sufficiency of the abilities and the sincerity of the inclination: Separate them. 2. Christ's ministers are separated to him and to the Holy Ghost: Separate them to me; they are to be employed in Christ's work and under the Spirit's guidance, to the glory of God the Father. 3. All that are separated to Christ as his ministers are separated to work; Christ keeps no servants to be idle. If any man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work; that is what he is separated to, to labour in the word and doctrine. They are separated to take pains, not to take state. 4. The work of Christ's ministers, to which they are to be separated, is work that is already settled, and that which all Christ's ministers hitherto have been called to, and which they themselves have first been, by an external call, directed to and have chosen. III. Their ordination, pursuant to these orders: not to the ministry in general (Barnabas and Saul had both of them been ministers long before this), but to a particular service in the ministry, which had something peculiar in it, and which required a fresh commission, which commission God saw fit at this time to transmit by the hands of these prophets and teachers, for the giving of this direction to the church, that teachers should ordain teachers (for prophets we are not now any longer to expect), and that those who have the dispensing of the oracles of Christ committed to them should, for the benefit of posterity, commit the same to faithful men, who shall be able also to teach others, Ti2 2:2. So here, Simeon, and Lucius, and Manaen, faithful teachers at this time in the church of Antioch, when they had fasted and prayed, laid their hands on Barnabas and Saul, and sent them away (Act 13:3), according to the directions received. Observe, 1. They prayed for them. When good men are going forth about good work, they ought to be solemnly and particularly prayed for, especially by their brethren that are their fellow-labourers and fellow-soldiers. 2. They joined fasting with their prayers, as they did in their other ministrations, Act 13:3. Christ has taught us this by his abstaining from sleep (a night-fast, if I may so call it) the night before he sent forth his apostles, that he might spend it in prayer. 3. They laid their hands on them. Hereby, (1.) They gave them their manumission, dismission, or discharge from the present service they were engaged in, in the church of Antioch, acknowledging that they went off not only fairly and with consent, but honourably and with a good report. (2.) They implored a blessing upon them in their present undertaking, begged that God would be with them, and give them success; and, in order to this, that they might be filled with the Holy Ghost in their work. This very thing is explained Act 14:26, where it is said, concerning Paul and Barnabas, that from Antioch they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. As it was an instance of the humility of Barnabas and Saul that they submitted to the imposition of the hands of those that were their equals, or rather their inferiors; so it was of the good disposition of the other teachers that they did not envy Barnabas and Saul the honour to which they were preferred, but cheerfully committed it to them, with hearty prayers for them; and they sent them away with all expedition, out of a concern for those countries where they were to break up fallow ground.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
13:1-3 The prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch spent significant time in worship and prayer, earnestly seeking the Lord’s will as they fasted and opened themselves to divine direction. As they prayed, the Holy Spirit spoke to them, and they set apart Barnabas and Saul in clear recognition of God’s call for them to carry out a special work in his name. The believers’ inward journey in prayer and listening to God is matched by their outward journey in service, evangelism, and mighty works of healing and salvation. 13:1 prophets and teachers: See “The Gift of Prophecy” Theme Note; see also 1 Cor 12:28-29; Eph 4:11. • The name Simeon suggests a Jewish background (see Gen 29:33; Luke 2:25; 3:30); he is also called “the black man”—he was probably of African descent. • Lucius is a Latin name; he came from Cyrene, the capital of Libya in North Africa. He was probably one of the preachers from Cyrene who had brought the Christian message to Antioch (Acts 11:20). • Manaen had been brought up with King Herod Antipas; he was probably Luke’s source for insight into Antipas’s thoughts and actions (see Luke 9:7-9). • Barnabas and Saul are prominently featured in the subsequent narrative.