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Acts 13:2
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1 Now ain the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: bBarnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, cLucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.  
2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, a“Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work bto which I have called them.”  
3 Then, ahaving fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.  

Preaching in Cyprus

4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to aCyprus.  
5 And when they arrived in Salamis, athey preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had bJohn as their assistant.  
6 Now when they had gone through1 the island to Paphos, they found aa certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus,  
7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.
8 But aElymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated)1 withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.  
9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, afilled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him  
10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, ayou son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?  
11 And now, indeed, athe hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.  
12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

At Antioch in Pisidia

13 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and aJohn, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.  
Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
<< Acts 13:1   Acts 13:3 >>


Acts 13:2

As they ministered to the Lord - It is probable that this took place on some day set apart for fasting and prayer. The expression "ministered to the Lord" means as they were engaged in prayer to the Lord, or as they were engaged in divine service. The Syriac thus renders the passage.

The Holy Ghost said - Evidently by direct revelation.

Separate me - Set apart to me, or for my service. It does not mean to ordain, but simply to designate, or appoint to this specific work.

For the work whereunto I have called them - Not the apostolic office, for Saul was called to that by the express revelation of Jesus Christ Galatians 1:12, and Barnabas was not an apostle. The "work" to which they were now set apart was that of preaching the gospel in the regions round about Antioch. It was not any permanent office in the church, but was a temporary designation to a missionary enterprise in extending the gospel, especially through Asia Minor, and the adjacent regions. Accordingly, when, in the fulfillment of this appointment, they had traveled through Seleucia, Cyprus, Paphos, Pamphylia, Pisidia, etc., they returned to Antioch, having fulfilled the work to which they were separated. See Acts 14:26-27. "Whereunto I have called them." This proves that they received their commission to this work directly from God the Holy Spirit. Paul and Barnabas had been influenced by the Spirit to engage in this work, but they were to be sent forth by the concurrence and designation of the church.




Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Acts 13:2:

Judges 3:10
Jeremiah 15:15-18
Ezekiel 47:4
Acts 4:36
Acts 13:33
Acts 14:26
Acts 14:26
Romans 15:16
Galatians 1:1
James 3:1

 

<< Acts 13:1   Acts 13:3 >>

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