Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 13
Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black manâ€), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. 2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.†3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black manâ€), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. 2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.†3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
Commentary:
13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting. Though there were recognized “prophets†in the church (v. 1), that did not guarantee that the Holy Spirit would speak to them apart from their spending such extended time in worship, fasting, and prayer. “They†likely refers to the whole congregation at worship, although the five prophets may well have mediated the Spirit’s message.
13:3 They again probably refers to the entire congregation rather than just the five “prophets and teachers†(v. 1), since Paul and Barnabas were a part of that latter group. The laying on of hands was a “commissioning,†indicating the church’s support of the two in their mission, and providing a physical indication of imparting the Holy Spirit’s power to them (see 6:6; 8:17; 9:17; 19:6).
13:3 They again probably refers to the entire congregation rather than just the five “prophets and teachers†(v. 1), since Paul and Barnabas were a part of that latter group. The laying on of hands was a “commissioning,†indicating the church’s support of the two in their mission, and providing a physical indication of imparting the Holy Spirit’s power to them (see 6:6; 8:17; 9:17; 19:6).
Questions:
- It is evident that the church in Antioch was a WORSHIPING church from the very beginning. They were worshiping God and fasting and praying. What is fasting? It's when you are so desperate for God to move and to speak to you that you don't eat. You want God more than food. Have you ever been that desperate for God to move in your life? When was the last time you fasted and prayed?
- In verse two, some translations say that they were "ministering to the Lord." This is an interesting way to look at worship, isn't it? Many church-goers would say, "Wait, isn't God supposed to minister to me?" How many times do you hear people say that they got something out of the sermon, or they didn't like worship? Could it be that we fail to realize that us coming to church isn't necessarily what we get out of it but what we give to God? Do you minister to God when you're at church?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would be desperate for God.
- That you would learn to minister to the Lord.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
4. Can a person be good enough to go to heaven? No. Because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He is God, I believe a person is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
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