Evening

July 26

Acts 13:1-3 ¹In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. ²While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." ³So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Antioch was one of the first churches to be established after the persecution in Jerusalem. It was there that believers in Christ were first called Christians. According to Ephesians 4:11, the prophets and teachers were leaders in the church. They were probably the elders of that congregation.

This is an important passage because it shows us how they functioned. They gathered together to worship and fast. How many times have you heard of the leaders of a local church or city gathering just for that purpose? As they did so, the Holy Spirit gave them instructions. The passage doesn't say whether it was an audible voice or a still small voice in each of their hearts or a word through one of them that was confirmed in the hearts of the others. It is probably good for us that we don't know or we would insist that God always work the same way. One thing we do know is that they all heard the same thing.

They were to separate out Barnabas and Saul for a special work. This was their call, to go out on a mission of spreading the Gospel. They didn't stop their fasting once they had heard. They continued in prayer and fasting and then laid hands on them. They were asking the blessing and anointing of God for the work He had called them to. Once they heard the voice of the Spirit directing them, they didn't just say goodbye to these brothers. They did their part by praying for them to be empowered for their mission. God invites us to participate in His work.

Not many are called in this fashion today. Perhaps if we had more of this type of all-out worship with fasting, we would see the Holy Spirit move in ways that we all discern to be the hand of God.

Consider: When was the last time you worshiped God in fasting and prayer?