Acts 13:1

Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

1. The church at Antioch was well established by this time. We do not know the size, but it seems to have been larger because of their support for Jerusalem during the drought.

2. Prophets - inspired speakers; Teachers - instructors - - Here, and in some other places the two words are used together. This passage does not refer to two seperate offices in the church but to those inspired (spiritual gift of prophecy) and the ability to teach and instruct the church.

3. Barnabas - We were introduced to him in Acts 4:1-37 and will know more about him in the next few chapters.

4. Simeon, the black - There is some disagreement if this man was black (skin color) or black (hair color) or some other feature.

5. Lucius - Acts 11:20 tells us that there were in the church at Antioch some who came from Cyrene. Cyrene is a city in northern Africa, close to the modern city of Tripoli.

6. Manaen - He was probably a foster brother to Herod Antipas.

7. Saul - The Apostle Paul is listed last in this list of five prophets and teachers.