“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. 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. “ - Acts 13:1–5
It is the year 45 AD. Barnabas, Saul, and now John Mark have returned to Antioch from Jerusalem, and are continuing their work there.
We are given the early elders in Antioch ... Barnabas is mentioned first, as ranking senior in the Lord ... then Simeon, called Niger ... or Black... which is what Niger means. It is not written why he was called that, the most reasonable explanation being that he was either dark skinned or actually, black, as we understood the term today. Another senior elder....! God is showing us a very diverse leadership council in Antioch!
Lucius of Cyrene... “ a Roman name, and probsbly the leader of the group of Cyrenians who first preached the gospel to the Greeks at Antioch. “ Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. “ - Pauls letter to the Romans 16:21 . We see the name again, but cannot be sure it is the same person.
and Manaen... “ man´a-en (Μαναήν, Manaḗn, Greek form of Hebrew name “Menahem,” meaning “consoler”): Manaen is mentioned, with Barnabas, Saul and others, in Act 13:1, as one of the “prophets and teachers” in the recently rounded Gentile church at Antioch, at the time when Barnabas and Saul were “separated” by Divine call for their missionary service.
He is further described as “the foster-brother (súntrophos) of Herod the tetrarch” (i.e. HEROD ANTIPAS (which see)). He was probably brought up and educated with this Herod and his brother Archelaus. An earlier glimpse of Christian influence in Herod's court is afforded by Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuzas, among the holy women who ministered to Jesus (Luk 8:3). Manaen may have been related to the older Manaen, the Essene, who, Josephus tells us, foretold the greatness of Herod the Great, and was afterward treated by Herod as his friend (Ant., XV, x, 5). His position in the church at Antioch was evidently an influential one, whether he himself ranked among the “prophets,” or perhaps only among the “teachers.” - ISBE ——- Nobility as well!!
and ... last but not least ... Saul.
What an interesting band of brothers... John Mark, is the intern , mentioned only at the end , as their “minister”. This intern would go on to write one of the 4 Gospels .... isnt it funny how God works? So patient... and through human skin and bones....
It is time. All the preparation has been done, and now the Spirit takes charge ... and we are told ( -twice- in our text ) that it is at His express and instruction that the church in Antioch takes the next step.
Please notice that the communication was direct, clear, concise, intelligible , delivered with a minimum of fuss and recorded as such. We are not given the specifics of how, but the actions of the elders leave no doubt that, whatever the form, the content of the message was clearly and unambiguously received by all of them.
What did they do?
The fasted and prayed some MORE ... now for the mission and the safety of the eldest and youngest selected ( Barnabas and Saul ).... then they SENT THEM AWAY! ....
if a modern church was asked to give up their senior pastor and their most promising youth minister for an extended period of time, with no guarantee as to their well being... there would probably be some real seeking to confirm that was indeed the Lords will ... ? and there might have been some of that too in Antioch!
Seleucia is a port on the Mediterranean, about 15-20 miles west of Antioch. The three would have packed and journeyed via road, then, the salty tang of the seashore, and the business of the docks at the port - to their quarters on board the vessel.
What a day that must have been when they finally set sail for Cyprus ! The logistics and busyness of Antioch behind them, now, just their thoughts , the creaking of the hull and ropes, and the soft lap of waves... carrying them forward... to events unknown .. but on a mission from the Spirit Himself ! ....... What a grand adventure!!!!
All too soon, it will be ahoy Salamis... and the work will begin-go to the synagogues to proclaim the Gospel to the children of Israel! For now, let us leave them, resting from one battle, before the next - the thoughts and prayers of their brethren with them!
Fear is rampant in the world around us. Yes, the situation is serious.... but dont focus on the number of deaths, but the number of those that will survive this. Nothing in the world about us has changed. The sun rose this morning as it always does, the birds were out, spring is in the air. The earth is not radioactive, the water is not poisoned. All infrastructure is intact, nothing has been destroyed!
Have faith in God to keep you safe by means both “natural’ and “supernatural”. We pray for the health and safety of all of you ... rest confident in the Word of God , and declare...
“ He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.” - Psalm 91: 1-10
In Jesus name we pray... Lord, we thank you and glorify you!
Hallelujah!!!
