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Acts 13:3
Verse
Context
Sermons
Bill McLeod
Michael L. Brown
William MacDonald
George VerwerGeorge VerwerGeorge Verwer
Brian GuerinSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them - 1. They fasted: this was probably done by the whole Church. 2. They prayed, that God would bless and prosper them in their work. 3. They land hands upon them; thus solemnly appointing them to that particular work. But was it by this fasting, praying, and imposition of hands that these men were qualified for this work? No. God had already called them to it, Act 13:2, and he who called them had qualified them. Both their call and their qualification came from God; but he chose that they should have also the sanction of that Church of which they had been members; and therefore he said, Separate me, etc. The ordination of elders among the Jews was by three persons; and here we find three, Simeon, Lucius, and Manaen, ordaining two others, Barnabas and Saul. But how did the Jews ordain? Not by imposition of hands: this is strictly forbidden, see Maimon. Sanh. chap. 4. "After what manner is the ordaining of elders for ever? Not that they should lay their hands on the head of an elder; but only that they should call him Rabbi, and say to him, Behold, thou art ordained, and hast power of judging, etc." It is remarkable that the imposition of hands in the ordaining of elders was not used among the ancient Jews, probably never under the first temple; and rarely, if ever, under the second. See Lightfoot on this place. The Church at Antioch, however, did depart from this custom: they put their hands on the heads of Barnabas and Saul; thus designating them to be the persons whom they, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, sent to preach the Gospel of Christ to the heathen. When the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them, and the elders of the Church, in consequence, prayed, fasted, and laid their hands upon them, they certainly understood that by acting thus they fulfilled the mind of the Spirit. Hence, is it not evident that, when the elders of the Church of God have good reason to believe that He has called certain persons to the work of the ministry, and qualified them for that work, they should proceed as the elders of the Church of Antioch did; and by fasting, prayer, and imposition of hands, separate those persons for the work whereunto God has called them. Such persons will consider themselves accountable to God and his Church, and should take care how they use the gift and authority received from both. Is it not being wise above what is written to say, "When God has called and given authority, there is no need of ordination or appointment from man?" I would just ask the objector, Why, then, when God had called Barnabas and Saul to the work, did he command the Church to separate them to him for that very work? And why did they, in obedience, fast, pray, and lay hands upon them? I shall dispute with no man about the superior excellence of the episcopal or presbyterian form in ordination: if all the preliminaries be right, they may be both equally good, for all that I have ever been able to learn to the contrary; but that there should be some proper scriptural form attended to, I am fully satisfied. Besides, if the plan of the Church at Antioch were regularly and faithfully followed, in sending forth the ministers of the Gospel, no man can prove that God would not own them in an especial manner, and more particularly prosper their work. But, O ye rulers of the Church! be careful, as ye shall answer it to God, never to lay hands on the head of a man whom ye have not just reason to believe God has called to the work; and whose eye is single, and whose heart is pure. Let none be sent to teach Christianity, who have not experienced it to be the power of God to the salvation of their own souls. If ye do, though they have your authority, they never can have the blessing nor the approbation of God. "I sent them not: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord." Jer 23:32.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
laid their hands on them--(See on Act 6:6) --"recommending them to the grace of God for the work which they had to fulfil" (Act 14:26). sent them away--with the double call--of the Spirit first, and next of the Church. So clothed, their mission is thus described: "They being sent forth by the Holy Ghost." Have we not here for all time the true principle of appointment to sacred offices?
John Gill Bible Commentary
And when they had fasted and prayed,.... Not when they had done fasting and praying, at the time the Holy Ghost made an impulse on their minds, to separate two of their brethren to a work they were appointed to; but at another time, which was fixed for that purpose; when they fasted and prayed, not for direction, who they were to set apart and send; for the persons were before pointed out to them, but that they might have every needful gift and qualification for the work, and be succeeded in it: and laid their hands on them; not as ordaining them, for this was not an ordination; the Apostle Paul particularly was not ordained an apostle by man, but by Jesus Christ; who personally appeared to him, and made and ordained him his minister and apostle; and much less by men inferior to himself, as Simeon, Lucius, and Manaen were; but this was a gesture and ceremony used among the Jews, when they wished any blessing or happiness to attend any persons; and so these prophets, when they separated Paul and Barnabas from their company, and were parting from them, put their hands on them, and wished them all prosperity and success: could this be thought to be an ordination, as it cannot, since both of them were stated and authorized ministers of the word, and one of them an apostle long before this; there might seem some likeness between it and the Jewish ordination of elders, which was done by three (b), as here were Simeon, Lucius, and Manaen; but then this was not done without the land of Israel, as here, nor by imposition of hands (c): now when they had thus prayed for them, and wished them well, they sent them away; to do the work they were called unto; not in an authoritative way, but in a friendly manner they parted with them, and bid them farewell. (b) Misn. Sanhedrin, c. 1. sect. 3. (c) Maimon. & Bartenora in ib. & Maimon. Hilchot Sanhedrin, c. 4. sect. 2, 3.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
13:3 the men laid their hands on them: This solemn act was only done after more fasting and prayer; the Pastoral Epistles warn against laying hands on a person to appoint that person as a Christian leader without due care and diligence (1 Tim 5:22). At this point, Barnabas and Saul were sent . . . on their way as missionaries of the church at Antioch.
Acts 13:3
Paul’s First Missionary Journey Begins
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.”3And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Prayer and Fasting
By Bill McLeod3.3K39:01FastingPSA 92:10MAT 6:33ACT 13:3In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about a mission trip to a remote camp. Initially, they had planned to finish their work and return home, but they discovered one more camp deep in the wilderness. Despite the challenges and reluctance, they decided to go. The speaker emphasizes the importance of repentance and seeking God's face, drawing parallels to biblical examples like David fasting and praying for his child's healing. The sermon concludes with a call to deny oneself and be willing to continually obey God, as the time for repentance is limited.
A Call to Prayer
By Michael L. Brown2.4K52:24PrayerPSA 109:1ACT 6:4ACT 12:12ACT 13:3ACT 14:23ACT 16:13ACT 16:25In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer in experiencing God's blessings and seeing Him move in our lives. He shares stories of persecuted workers who rely on prayer and witness miraculous healings. The speaker encourages the congregation to prioritize prayer and deepen their individual and congregational prayer lives. He acknowledges that time constraints may make it challenging to spend long hours in prayer, but emphasizes that the same attitude of devotion can still yield powerful results. The speaker references Acts 6:4, which highlights the importance of prayer and the ministry of the word.
A Manual for Prayer - Part 2
By William MacDonald1.4K1:31:28PrayerACT 2:42ACT 4:24ACT 6:3ACT 13:3HEB 2:3In this sermon, Mr. McDonald reflects on the early Christians and their cultivation of a godly life, which resulted in tremendous messages and effective impact. He shares a conversation with a young man who chose to give up his comfortable life in the United States to serve God overseas. The young man explains that living a life of faith in the US is challenging, but when one puts themselves in a position of complete trust in God, there is a power that manifests in their life. McDonald then highlights the story of Paul and Silas in jail, where they demonstrated prayer and praise, leading to an earthquake and the conversion of the jailer.
(The Book of Acts) Session 09
By George Verwer1.3K00:00ActsMAT 9:38ACT 2:2ACT 13:3ACT 13:5ROM 10:15In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of sending missionaries to spread the word of God. He encourages every church, regardless of size, to send at least one missionary or missionary couple. The speaker highlights the difficulty of finding senders rather than goers and expresses gratitude for the generous response to a recent fundraising effort for world missions. The sermon also emphasizes the significance of prayer and worship in the missionary work, and the power of these practices in hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit. The speaker shares powerful testimonies of individuals whose lives were transformed through encounters with the Gospel.
Does Prayer Really Matter
By George Verwer73453:25PrayerMAT 6:33ACT 12:12ACT 13:3JAS 5:19JUD 1:23In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the neglect of prayer in the Christian movement. He acknowledges the many distractions and activities that can easily take precedence over prayer. He criticizes the trend of reducing prayer time and prioritizing Bible study, highlighting the importance of both prayer and the word of God. The preacher encourages believers to saturate all their activities with prayer and emphasizes the need for a dedicated time of intercession.
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.
The Mantle
By Brian Guerin454:13Supernatural EncountersIntimacy With God2KI 2:14PSA 46:10ISA 40:31MAT 7:22MAT 25:1JHN 15:15ACT 13:3PHP 3:8HEB 1:14JAS 4:8Brian Guerin emphasizes the significance of intimacy with God in his sermon 'The Mantle,' drawing parallels between the prophetic acts of Elijah and Elisha. He highlights the importance of waiting on the Lord and being open to the supernatural, as well as the need for believers to cultivate a deep, personal relationship with God. Guerin encourages the congregation to seek the God of Elijah for breakthroughs in their lives, suggesting that a striking of the mantle can lead to divine encounters and transformations. He also reflects on the urgency of the hour, urging the church to be prepared for the return of the Lord and to maintain their spiritual oil through intimacy with Him.
Holy Days Observed in the English Church
By J.H. Newman0DEU 27:26LUK 18:13ACT 13:31CO 11:26HEB 12:2J.H. Newman preaches about the Holy days observed by the Church of England, categorizing them into Festivals, days of joy, and fasts, days of sorrow. The Festivals include significant events like the Nativity of our Lord, Easter Day, Ascension Day, and Trinity Sunday, each commemorating crucial aspects of Christ's life and victory over darkness. The sermon also highlights the importance of fasting before certain festivals to prepare our hearts for the joyful celebrations and to remember the struggles and sufferings of the saints and apostles. Additionally, the sermon emphasizes the significance of Ember Days and the practice of fasting on Fridays throughout the year to reflect on Christ's sacrifice and love for us.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them - 1. They fasted: this was probably done by the whole Church. 2. They prayed, that God would bless and prosper them in their work. 3. They land hands upon them; thus solemnly appointing them to that particular work. But was it by this fasting, praying, and imposition of hands that these men were qualified for this work? No. God had already called them to it, Act 13:2, and he who called them had qualified them. Both their call and their qualification came from God; but he chose that they should have also the sanction of that Church of which they had been members; and therefore he said, Separate me, etc. The ordination of elders among the Jews was by three persons; and here we find three, Simeon, Lucius, and Manaen, ordaining two others, Barnabas and Saul. But how did the Jews ordain? Not by imposition of hands: this is strictly forbidden, see Maimon. Sanh. chap. 4. "After what manner is the ordaining of elders for ever? Not that they should lay their hands on the head of an elder; but only that they should call him Rabbi, and say to him, Behold, thou art ordained, and hast power of judging, etc." It is remarkable that the imposition of hands in the ordaining of elders was not used among the ancient Jews, probably never under the first temple; and rarely, if ever, under the second. See Lightfoot on this place. The Church at Antioch, however, did depart from this custom: they put their hands on the heads of Barnabas and Saul; thus designating them to be the persons whom they, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, sent to preach the Gospel of Christ to the heathen. When the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them, and the elders of the Church, in consequence, prayed, fasted, and laid their hands upon them, they certainly understood that by acting thus they fulfilled the mind of the Spirit. Hence, is it not evident that, when the elders of the Church of God have good reason to believe that He has called certain persons to the work of the ministry, and qualified them for that work, they should proceed as the elders of the Church of Antioch did; and by fasting, prayer, and imposition of hands, separate those persons for the work whereunto God has called them. Such persons will consider themselves accountable to God and his Church, and should take care how they use the gift and authority received from both. Is it not being wise above what is written to say, "When God has called and given authority, there is no need of ordination or appointment from man?" I would just ask the objector, Why, then, when God had called Barnabas and Saul to the work, did he command the Church to separate them to him for that very work? And why did they, in obedience, fast, pray, and lay hands upon them? I shall dispute with no man about the superior excellence of the episcopal or presbyterian form in ordination: if all the preliminaries be right, they may be both equally good, for all that I have ever been able to learn to the contrary; but that there should be some proper scriptural form attended to, I am fully satisfied. Besides, if the plan of the Church at Antioch were regularly and faithfully followed, in sending forth the ministers of the Gospel, no man can prove that God would not own them in an especial manner, and more particularly prosper their work. But, O ye rulers of the Church! be careful, as ye shall answer it to God, never to lay hands on the head of a man whom ye have not just reason to believe God has called to the work; and whose eye is single, and whose heart is pure. Let none be sent to teach Christianity, who have not experienced it to be the power of God to the salvation of their own souls. If ye do, though they have your authority, they never can have the blessing nor the approbation of God. "I sent them not: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord." Jer 23:32.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
laid their hands on them--(See on Act 6:6) --"recommending them to the grace of God for the work which they had to fulfil" (Act 14:26). sent them away--with the double call--of the Spirit first, and next of the Church. So clothed, their mission is thus described: "They being sent forth by the Holy Ghost." Have we not here for all time the true principle of appointment to sacred offices?
John Gill Bible Commentary
And when they had fasted and prayed,.... Not when they had done fasting and praying, at the time the Holy Ghost made an impulse on their minds, to separate two of their brethren to a work they were appointed to; but at another time, which was fixed for that purpose; when they fasted and prayed, not for direction, who they were to set apart and send; for the persons were before pointed out to them, but that they might have every needful gift and qualification for the work, and be succeeded in it: and laid their hands on them; not as ordaining them, for this was not an ordination; the Apostle Paul particularly was not ordained an apostle by man, but by Jesus Christ; who personally appeared to him, and made and ordained him his minister and apostle; and much less by men inferior to himself, as Simeon, Lucius, and Manaen were; but this was a gesture and ceremony used among the Jews, when they wished any blessing or happiness to attend any persons; and so these prophets, when they separated Paul and Barnabas from their company, and were parting from them, put their hands on them, and wished them all prosperity and success: could this be thought to be an ordination, as it cannot, since both of them were stated and authorized ministers of the word, and one of them an apostle long before this; there might seem some likeness between it and the Jewish ordination of elders, which was done by three (b), as here were Simeon, Lucius, and Manaen; but then this was not done without the land of Israel, as here, nor by imposition of hands (c): now when they had thus prayed for them, and wished them well, they sent them away; to do the work they were called unto; not in an authoritative way, but in a friendly manner they parted with them, and bid them farewell. (b) Misn. Sanhedrin, c. 1. sect. 3. (c) Maimon. & Bartenora in ib. & Maimon. Hilchot Sanhedrin, c. 4. sect. 2, 3.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
13:3 the men laid their hands on them: This solemn act was only done after more fasting and prayer; the Pastoral Epistles warn against laying hands on a person to appoint that person as a Christian leader without due care and diligence (1 Tim 5:22). At this point, Barnabas and Saul were sent . . . on their way as missionaries of the church at Antioch.