July 23, 2021 - Acts 13:1-12

Teaching and preaching are two important elements of the church. As a pastor, I enjoy doing each of these ministries in the church. Teaching brings sound instruction to those who have little or no knowledge of a subject. Preaching is a means of exhorting and motivating individuals forward in the knowledge they have received. While the two are similar, they provide different outcomes.

The church at Antioch had been blessed with multiple individuals that were gifted in both teaching and exhorting the people of God with the gospel message. The work of the Holy Spirit also was involved in the selection of prophets and teachers. Barnabas earlier had gone and brought Saul back from Tarsus and together they had directed the church, brought other gifted men to serve, and proclaimed the gospel at Antioch.

Part of the process of developing leadership in the early church was to spend time in prayer and fasting to determine the leading of the Holy Spirit. The church would devote time to these facets of seeking the direction of the Holy Spirit to ascertain the next steps for the church. The Spirit did indicate that Barnabas and Saul were to separate from the church in Antioch and begin a new ministry to areas beyond Judea and Samaria.

The text indicates that the Spirit, not the church, is the one that moved them to this new venture of faith. The Spirit directed the two (Barnabas and Saul) to move from Antioch to the island of Cyprus and to the work that God had called them (v. 2). This new work is also the transitional step that introduces the reader to the broader plan of God and His intention of reaching the world for Himself.

With the transition of location there is also a shift in leadership as it is here that Saul begins to assert his position as leader and spokesman for the group. Also, here his name is changed from the Jewish name (Saul) to the Greek form of Paul.

God brought people to the church at Antioch to equip and provide leadership to them as He transitioned others to expand His work. The Lord’s continuity and movement of individuals is done to accomplish His purposes. This process was orchestrated by the Holy Spirit so the current ministry could continue and new opportunities might emerge. We can trust Him that when transitions are done, in symmetry with the Spirit, all aspects will be blessed to accomplish God’s purposes.