Acts 13:1-3 Saul and Barnabas called by the Holy Spirit

Good morning all.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO COMPLAIN OR BE STRESSED! 

  Can you recognize God's call for you?  Are you in tune with what God wants you to do?  How often do we explain away what may be God's calling and we pass right on by?  My prayer for myself is that I will be totally in tune with the LORD JESUS CHRIST and the HOLY SPIRIT  to do God's calling. 

            HOW ARE YOU DOING?

  Acts 13: 1Now 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.

  The first actual or official mission was by Saul (Paul) and Barnabas who were sent by the church in Antioch to Cyprus and the cities in the southern part of the Roman province of Galatia. (view the map below)  The church had many outstanding Christians and prophets and teachers.

   The commentary goes into Simeon that was called Niger.  The word Niger in latin means dark complexion or black, fuscus is a synonym which also means dark or black.  The reason for this is he was thought to be of African origin.  Some "experts" speculate that he may have been Simeon of Cyrene who carried Jesus' cross.

  Manaen who was brought up with Herod means he was a "foster brother".  This term was usually used of children who were brought up in the royal court and later the phrase was used as an actual title.

    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.

   Fasting and prayer was very prevalent in the early church.  Through their obedience, fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit came and directed them to send Barnabas and Saul out to preach to the gentiles.  Obviously these two were the most gifted to carry the message of salvation to others, specially the gentiles.

  3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 

  Notice, here there are no mission boards or mission organizations to "train" the people to go out and share salvation.  They FASTED, and they PRAYED, and then they LAID HANDS ON THEM, and at this point they went.  Why no training?  In my opinion, they were in tune with the Holy Spirit (through fasting and prayer) and knew what God wanted.  God will send you, even though you may not feel equipped to do HIS work, HE will equip you.  Take time to see their travels as they did their mission.

Thank you for reading today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny