Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Leviticus 8-10
     New Testament Reading: Acts 13

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As 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.” Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off (Acts 13:1-3).

In Acts 13, Luke introduces us to the second major part of the book of Acts. The first 12 chapters tell of the beginning of the church in Jerusalem, and Peter had been the key apostle. The mission of the church in these chapters was mainly for the Jews.

Now, it all changes. Antioch in Syria would become the new center for the church and Paul the new leader. The major thrust of the church turned to the Gentile world of the Roman Empire and eventually even beyond the borders of the Empire. The Gospel was on the move!

The first twelve chapters revealed individual Christians evangelizing as they traveled from Jerusalem. Now, the expansion of the church becomes a united, organized effort to spread the Gospel inspired by the Holy Spirit and supported by the local church. It is not likely that either Barnabas or Paul knew the eternal significance of this event. However, looking back, we can say without hesitation that this was one of the most decisive moments in history.

Luke listed five different men who were ministering in the church at Antioch. Barnabas who we have already met; Simeon, who may have been from Africa since they nicked named him Black; Lucius, who came from Cyrene and may have been one founder of the church in Antioch; Manaen, who was an intimate friend of Herod Antipas (the man who had John the Baptist killed); and Saul, the last on the list, but who would soon become first.

These men were serving as prophets and teachers. They needed prophets in the first century to proclaim the Word of God, as the New Testament was not yet written. Teachers, then as today, teach the doctrines of faith, rebuke, and correct believers and train them to be equipped for works of ministry (2 Tim 3:16-17). It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit, working through local churches and their leaders, to equip and develop believers to go forth and serve. It is the mission of the church through worship, fasting, and prayer, to discern the leading of the Holy Spirit to select and send those called to local, national, and international missions.