Acts: Go & Be Chapters 10-18نموونە

What is this passage saying?

Tony Evans points out that Herod’s efforts to stop the spread of Christianity were useless, the believers, through the power of God, would not be stopped. In these verses, Paul and Barnabas return to Jerusalem and meet two men who were prophets and teachers from the Church of Antioch. These men were also lifelong friends of Herod the tetrarch. The Bible says that as these men were ministering and fasting, the Holy Spirit told them to separate Saul and Barnabas for the Lord had chosen them. After they prayed and fasted more, they laid hands on Paul and Barnabas. “The laying on of hands gave official recognition of the Spirit’s ministry call and endorsement” (Tony Evans). Saul and Barnabas were godly men, filled with the Holy Spirit and they were being entrusted by God to go. The disciples were sent off with the prayers of the believers. John MacArthur notes that in chapter 13 we see a shift in the book of Acts. The book has primarily been following Peter’s life and ministry, now we will follow the life and ministry of Paul. In the book of Acts, we get to learn from different men and women, some who follow God’s leading and some who do not. The Word of God is timeless- its lessons transcend time and convict the heart of every believer.

What is this passage teaching?

As Christians, our lives have been surrendered to the Gospel. Our goal is to share the Gospel. In 2023 Christians have become so immersed in the life goals of the world. We base our lives around what we think we should accomplish according to what we see on TV or Instagram. There are many voices in our heads that seek to control our efforts to seek their cause, which is contrary to the Gospel’s cause. Fasting is a discipline that refocuses our minds on the voice of the Lord. John MacArthur writes this, “…fasted. This is often connected with vigilant, passionate prayer (Neh.1:4; Ps. 35:14; Dan. 9:3; Matt.17:21; Luke 2:37) and includes either a loss of desire for food or the purposeful setting aside of eating to concentrate on spiritual issues.” Ministry unto the Lord is so wonderful. There is no work like serving the Lord and His people. All Christians are called to ministry it just looks different for each person. And in the differences, we see the personalness of our God. As the body of Christ, we have the same mission with different functions. Let us stop rooting for the world’s mission, and focus on God’s mission.

How do I respond?

Learn what Jesus says about fasting in Matthew 6: 16-18. Fasting is personal and can quiet your mind. Prayerfully consider what this would look like in your life.