Day 242: Acts 13:1–3

As they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work that I have called them to” (v. 2).

The first church in Antioch remains such an example to us. We’ve already seen willing evangelists, willing recipients, and effective discipleship revealed in the readiness of this infant church to give. Acts 13 unfolds with another mark of an effective church body: strong leadership.

Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Saul were prophets and teachers in the church. Notice that Saul was listed last of the five at this point of his ministry. These five prophets and teachers didn’t just hold important positions; they each had a personal passion for God. While they were worshiping and fasting, the Holy Spirit instructed them to send Barnabas and Saul on a mission to other cities and regions, spreading the Good News into uncharted Christian territory. The leaders of the church in Antioch were constantly ready to hear from God; therefore, when He spoke, they were listening!

Again and again in Scripture we see God’s perfect timing. In Galatians 1:15, the apostle explains that he was set apart from birth (about AD 10). He did not receive salvation until around AD 36. He was not set apart for his signature ministry until around AD 46. Not one minute was wasted. God was training Saul during those formative years. Meanwhile, Barnabas the encourager was proving his effectiveness among both Jews and Gentiles. When God’s time came, both men were ready for the Holy Spirit to send them out. “Then, after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off” (Acts 13:3 hcsb).

I grew up in a denomination that prioritized missions and spurred a love and appreciation in my heart for missionaries. That’s one reason why this Acts 13 moment is so precious to me. Meet the first international missionaries: Saul and Barnabas! Set apart to be sent off—just like so many other faithful ones who have followed in their footsteps, forsaking the securities of home and family to follow Christ anywhere. As of this writing, more than eighty thousand evangelical missionaries presently serve overseas.57 I have no greater admiration for any group of people.