Acts Of The Apostles (18 Of 39)

While we may not think about it, the Scripture reveals God did some marvelous things in the lives of some Bible characters, as He sent them out to win souls to Christ.

In this text we see just one example:

I. THE DEDICATION

Look at verses 1-3, “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away..”

You can always tell how important a job is by the method used to hire the person to fill the position.

Illus: Some employers hang a sign up outside their building so people walking along the street will see it and come in to apply, but those who are looking for a person to fill a position requiring skill and good education, generally require applicants to send, or bring, a resume’.

The application form for the latter kinds of jobs are usually more complex also. Once the resume’ and application has been reviewed, the employer will have his personnel manager call the applicant in for a personal interview. After a narrowing down process, the selection is made.

Basically, this is what those great men of the early church did.

Look at verse 1, we read, “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers: as Barnabas... Simeon…Manaen.. . and Saul.”

Notice, the Bible says, in the church were, “Certain prophets and teachers…”

These were not the average men that you found in the church, they were the “Certain prophets and teachers…”

Those men were fasting and praying, because they were concerned about the work of God.

Any time men and women are fasting and praying, you will find that God is about to do something in a big way.

That is exactly what the Lord is getting ready to do in this scripture passage.

Look at verses 2-3, “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”

This was to be the first missionary trip, and Paul and Barnabas were selected by the Holy Ghost to carry it out.

What an honor that was, to have the Holy Ghost single them out for that first missionary journey.

Notice, this was a divine calling: “…the Holy Ghost said...”

God, Who knows all things about all people, knows who to call.

Paul and Barnabas were a tremendous success, and it was because God called them, and God equipped them.

Those that God call, God equips!

Many secular businesses suffer because people are in positions who are not qualified.

Illus: One place we see the negative results of this, is in our public education system. We have people who have college degrees, but they do not have the desire or the skills to teach.

Our churches suffer from the same things. The fact of the matter is, many today in our churches are in positions, and they do not have the slightest idea of what they are doing.

Illus: Many people do what Chester, in “Gunsmoke”, does. Sometimes Matt has to leave town. Since there is only one Marshall in Dodge City, he appoints Chester to temporarily wear the title of Marshall. 0f course, anyone who has seen Chester knows that during those times, Dodge City has a man who is Marshall in name only.

There are too many churches today who have pastors, teachers, deacons, and church workers, who are in these positions in name only.

God never called them to do the things they are doing.

Paul and Barnabas were called of God, and they were equipped of God.

Notice that the ones who had the responsibility of appointing the ones to do the Work God needed done, “... fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, (and) sent them away.”

We have looked at THE DEDICATION of these special men, but let us look at the direction they took once the Lord called them and equipped them.

II. THE DIRECTION

Look at verses 4-5, “So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.”

The Bible makes it crystal clear, they were-