13:1
We now get a brief description of the leadership team at Antioch. It is noted that there were prophets and teachers. Prophecy was clearly an important part of the New Testament churches. However, there is rather limited information on what the prophets actually did, but I find nothing in Scripture to support the idea that prophecy no longer has any role in the church. Moreover, I find nothing in Scripture to indicate that prophecy in the New Testament church in anyway contributed to Scripture (Revelation could be viewed in that context, but Revelation is unique), and arguments from cessationists often rely in prophecy being equivalent in some way to Scripture. It isn’t!
We see here a variety of people in leadership. Simeon is a Jewish name. Niger does mean dark, it being a Latin name, but does not necessarily mean he descended from Africans, though he may have done. Lucius came from Cyrene, a North African city with a significant Jewish community. Manaen is a Greek form of the Jewish name Menahem. He had had some connection with Herod Antipas. Barnabas and Saul were also there.
13:2,3
They ministered to the Lord, or worshipping the Lord. They were also fasting. While they were doing this the Holy Spirit spoke to them. The Holy Spirit speaks to His people, and sometimes directly. The Spirit instructed the church to set Barnabas and Saul apart for the work to which the Spirit had called them. This is a reminder that it is Christ’s church, not ours. The Spirit is ultimately in charge, not us. There was more fasting and praying and Saul and Barnabas were sent on their way, possibly with money for the journey.
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