Acts 13:2

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. AS THEY MINISTERED TO THE LORD, [ leitourgountoon (G3008)]. This word, though in classical Greek signifying to perform any public duties, is used in the Septuagint to denote the exercise of the priestly functions (compare Hebrews 10:11, Gr.), and in the New Testament expresses the corresponding functions in the Christian Church. AND FASTED, THE HOLY SPIRIT SAID - said how? speaking, no doubt, through one of the "prophets" named in Acts 13:1. SEPARATE ME, [ aforisate ...

2_And they ministered to the Lord. _The word which Luke useth doth not only signify to be occupied about holy things, but also sometimes to bear public offices. And because the holy rites of the Gentiles did for the most part consist upon [of] burnt-offerings and sacrifices, it is oftentimes taken for _to offer sacrifice; _which sense did well like the Papists, that they might prove that the apostles did use some sacrifice. But admit it were so; yet do they foolishly pretend for defense of their mass, that the teachers of Antioch did sacrifice. First, forasmuch as the word is of the plural number, it followeth that every one of them did say mass. But letting toys pass, I say we must consider what manner of sacrifice Christ commended to his Church. The Papists feign that the office of priesthood is enjoined them, to sacrifice Christ and by sacrificing him to redeem peace with God. There i...

1-3 What an assemblage was here! In these names we see that the Lord raises up instruments for his work, from various places and stations in life; and zeal for his glory induces men to give up flattering connexions and prospects to promote his cause. It is by the Spirit of Christ that his ministers are made both able and willing for his service, and taken from other cares that would hinder in it. Christ's ministers are to be employed in Christ's work, and, under the Spirit's guidance, to act for the glory of God the Father. They are separated to take pains, and not to take state. A blessing upon Barnabas and Saul in their present undertaking was sought for, and that they might be filled with the Holy Ghost in their work. Whatever means are used, or rules observed, the Holy Ghost alone can fit ministers for their important work, and call them to it....

Verse Acts 13:2. _AS THEY MINISTERED TO THE LORD, AND FASTED_] On Mondays and Thursdays it was usual with the more pious Jews to attend the public service in their synagogues, and to fast: the former is what we are to understand by _ministering to the Lord_. On the Sabbaths they attended the service in the synagogue, but did not fast. The Greek word, λειτουργουντων, signifies _performing the_ _office_ of _praying, supplicating, rendering thanks_, c.: hence the word λειτουργια, _liturgy, the work of prayer_, c., from λιτη, _supplication_, according to some or rather from λειτος, _common_, and εργον, _work_, the _common_ or _public work_, in which all the people were engaged. _THE HOLY GHOST SAID_] A revelation of the Divine will was made to some person then present probably to either _Simeon_, or _Lucius_,

AS THEY MINISTERED TO THE LORD - It is probable that this took place on some day set apart for fasting and prayer. The expression “ministered to the Lord” means as they were engaged in prayer to the Lord, or as they were engaged in divine service. The Syriac thus renders the passage. THE HOLY GHOST SAID - Evidently by direct revelation. SEPARATE ME - Set apart to me, or for my service. It does not mean to ordain, but simply to designate, or appoint to this specific work. FOR THE WORK WHEREUNTO I HAVE CALLED THEM - Not the apostolic office, for Saul was called to that by the express revelation of Jesus Christ Galatians 1:12, and Barnabas was not an apostle. The “work” to which they were now set apart was that of preaching the gosp

EXPOSITION ACTS 13:1 _At Antioch., in the Church that was there _for _in the Church that was at Antioch, _A.V.; _prophets, _etc., for _certain prophets, _etc., A.V. and T.R.; _Barnabas, _etc., for _as Barnabas, _etc., A.V.; _Symeon _for _Simeon, _A.V.; _the foster-brother of _for _which had_ _been brought up with, _A.V. AT ANTIOCH, IN THE CHURCH, etc. Κατὰ τὴν οὖσαν ἐκκλησίαν rather means "the existing Church," just as at αἱ οὖσαι ἐξουσίαι_ _means "the existing powers," "the powers that be," in Romans 13:1, A.V. and T.R. _The then Church _seems mere the meaning than _the Church there. _Luke writes from the standpoint of

AS THEY MINISTERED TO THE LORD,.... That is, the five prophets and teachers before mentioned; and whose ministry lay in preaching the Gospel, teaching the people the doctrines of it, and expounding prophecies, and also in prayer; to which latter the Syriac version restrains their ministry, rendering it, "as they prayed to God"; but the phrase seems to be more extensive: "and fasted"; which the Jews were much used to, and the believing ones had not yet left it off; their custom was to fast on Mondays and Thursdays: Luke 18:12. Whether it was on one of those days, that these men were ministering and fasting, is not certain; but this we may be sure of, it was not on the Jewish sabbath, for on that day they never fasted; very likely that this was a fast appointed and fixed among themselves, on some particular occasion; it may be on account of the famine, which was at this time,...

PART III The Witness to the Gentiles. The Apostle to the Gentiles; his Ministry and Captivity. Chapter s 13-28 CHAPTER 13 _ 1. The Divine Choice. Barnabas and Saul separated unto the work (Acts 13:1)._ 2. The Beginning of the Journey and the events in Cyprus (Acts 13:4). 3. The Gospel in Galatia. Paul's Address (Acts 13:13). 4. The Gospel rejected by the Jews (Acts 13:42). The thirteenth chapter is the beginning of the third part of this book. The second great center of Christianity comes to the front. It is no longer Jerusalem, but the city of Antioch. The gospel which had been preached in

THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH: THE SENDING OUT OF BARNABAS AND SAUL. Prophets and teachers are mentioned by Paul (1 Corinthians 12:28) after apostles; at Antioch there are no apostles, the prophets and teachers act as the instrument of the Spirit. Barnabas has remained at Antioch (Galatians 2:13), interested in the Gentile mission (Acts 11:19). For LUCIUS OF CYRENE, _ cf._ _ACTS 11:20_ *. MANAEN, FOSTER-BROTHER, _ or_ PLAYMATE, OF HEROD ANTIPAS, must have been brought up at Rome (Josephus, _Ant._ XVII. i. 3). Saul comes last; he is not a young man at this time, but would be about forty-f

In the local church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers. There were Barnabas, and Simeon who is called Niger, and Lucius from Cyrene, and Manaen, who was brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. When they were engaged in worshipping God and in fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, "Come now, set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them in my service." So after they had fasted and prayed they laid their hands on them and let them go. The Christian Church was now poised to take the greatest of all steps. They had decided, quite deliberately, to take the gospel out to all the world. It was a decision taken under the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit. The men of the Early Church never did what they wanted to do but always what God wanted them to do. Prophets and teachers had different functions. The prophets were wandering preachers who had give...