Get Close To The Lord

Holy Spirit Called #2

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 book of Acts seems to be divided into two parts. Chapters 1-12 has Peter as the main character. Whereas here in chapter 13 we find Paul coming on the scene.

Then in the last part of verse one, we see several of the members named. Barnabas - also in Acts 4:36,37...; 9:27...; 11:22-26... Simeon that was called Niger. - Nothing more is known of this man. His first name points out that he was of Jewish origin. Lucius of Cyrene. Rom. 16:21...; Acts 2:10...; 6:9...; 11:20...; Luke 23:26... Manaen - Raised with Herod the tetrarch - this was Herod Antipas, not Herod
the Great. He is not mentioned again in the Scriptures – and Saul. Now verses 2 & 3 “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.” Notice first that they were ministering unto the Lord. Now God is not going to call someone who is not on the move for God. If you want to be used for God, then get busy about the Father’s business.

There are three things we need to notice.

The Holy Ghost said.... It was not the deacons who did the calling. It was not the elders that did the calling. It was not the apostles that did the calling. It was not the congregation that did the calling. And they were not even mama or papa called. It was the Holy Spirit that did the calling. “Separate me Barnabas and Saul” He meant for the church to give them liberty to go forth to preach with authority as representatives of the assembly in Antioch. Notice that God spoke to the church - not to the business world nor even to the Christian business world.

Notice the conditions that made possible this activity of the Holy Spirit. “And when they had fasted and prayed...” It was as they gave themselves wholly unto the Lord that the Holy Spirit was able to work through them. We, too, can know the will of God through the ministry of the Holy Spirit if we surrender ourselves to Him and place ourselves at His disposal. The Holy Spirit still guides the child of God if we but would let Him.

I Corinthians 2:10
“For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”

The church in Antioch listened to and obeyed the voice of the Spirit. vs. 3b - “And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” Notice that they were ordained by the church. Remember that they had already been called of God. Notice, also, that they were sent forth by the church.

Russell Stolp
Chaplain, CFO

Psalm 37:4 "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy
ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.