The Bible Teacher's Commentary
Paul J. Bucknell
Antioch: The Sending Church
Acts 13:1-3
Luke recorded Paul’s first missionary journey in Acts 13-14. A pattern of activities occurred in each of the Gentile areas that Paul entered. Let’s examine this pattern and note the dissimilarities. We first get to see how God does a good work in a local church by calling forth missionaries.
What does a Spirit-sensitive church need?
Prophets Anyone?
Some people assert that prophets are no longer needed in the modern church since we now have the Bible in its complete form. The problem with this absolute ruling is that the Lord used prophets for things that the Bible doesn’t do in its complete form. Note how the Spirit spoke about specific guidance, “The Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’”
Does she have reputable and God-sensitive leaders?
We might think our team leadership concept is something new. Definitely not. There could not be a more diverse leadership team as this one. This was not just true because Simeon was black (should we call him Afro-Syrian?) or that Barnabas was from Cyprus, Lucius from Cyrene in Northern Africa, or Paul, who was born in Tarsus but raised in Jerusalem. They also had a diverse range of gifts.
Do her leaders fast and pray?
A supposedly reliable survey states that 80% of pastors pray less than 15 minutes a day. This sure is different than what we see here in Antioch. Prayer is the foundation through which missions are born. If leaders don’t pray, the congregation will hardly pray.
Ministering to the Lord and fasting
I love to see this team of leaders ministering to the Lord. Most Christians probably do not have a clue what this means. We know of ministry to others, but never realize that ministry includes prolonged times of prayer and praise before the Lord. They were delighting themselves in Christ.
Significance of laying on of hands
Laying on of hands simply shows a willingness to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to especially anoint these men for God’s special work. How much of it is a symbol, and how much is it really distributing God’s Spirit to another? They thought it was more than symbolism, and we ought to think the same.