Acts 13:1-3

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-four years old. The ministry of prophets and teachers is spoken of in Didaché xv. Fasting is a preparation for communication of the Spirit. The separation of Barnabas and Saul takes place after a regular form, with fasting, prayer, and laying on of hands by the body of which they are themselves members and to which they may themselves have suggested it. There is no inconsistency between this passage and Paul's assertion (Galatians 1:1) that he is an apostle not from men nor through men.