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Acts 13

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.

And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus:

Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.

The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.

And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.

And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.

But God raised him from the dead:

And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.

Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;

Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.

But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.

And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

What does Acts 13:3 mean?

Explanation

Acts 13:3 depicts an event in the early Christian church where fasting, prayer, and the laying on of hands were practiced before sending out Barnabas and Saul (later known as Paul) on their missionary journey.

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking divine guidance and support in the endeavors of the church, particularly in the mission field.

The laying on of hands is interpreted as a means of commissioning, denoting approval, blessing, and the impartation of spiritual empowerment for the task ahead.

The practice of fasting and prayer indicates a dependence on God and a desire for spiritual focus and discernment.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

The verse comes from the Acts of the Apostles, written by Luke, which documents the history of the early church following Jesus' resurrection and ascension.

This event occurs in the church at Antioch, a significant center for early Christianity.

During this period, Christianity was spreading rapidly, and the apostles were actively involved in missionary work to spread the teachings of Jesus.

It is within this scenario of growth and outreach that the leaders of the Antioch community, through divine revelation during a time of worship, fasting, and prayer, recognize God's call for Barnabas and Saul to undertake a specific mission.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse bears several insights:

Sovereignty of God: It exemplifies the belief in God's active involvement in guiding the church's mission. 2.

Spiritual Preparation: There is a theological emphasis on spiritual disciplines, such as prayer and fasting, as vital for preparing and equipping God's people for His work. 3.

Community Affirmation: The collective action of the church in Antioch signals that missionary work is not just an individual calling but is affirmed and supported by the wider Christian community. 4.

Ordination: In some Christian denominations, this practice is seen as a basis for formal ordination, establishing a precedent for consecrating individuals to specific ministries. 5.

Power of the Holy Spirit: Implicit in the act of laying on hands is the expectation that the Holy Spirit will empower those being sent out in their ministry.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, Acts 13:3 encourages modern believers to:

Seek God’s guidance through prayer and fasting when making decisions, especially those that pertain to ministry and service. 2.

Recognize and affirm God's calling in the lives of others and support them through prayer and encouragement. 3.

Prepare spiritually before undertaking any church mission or personal endeavor. 4.

Understand the value of community in discerning and supporting God’s work. 5.

Trust in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit when stepping out in faith to pursue God’s calling.

Cross-References

Acts 6:6 - "Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them."
Acts 14:23 - "And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed."
2 Timothy 1:6 - "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands."
Matthew 28:19-20 - "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

Language Study

Key words and phrases in the original Greek language of this verse include:

"Fasted" (νηστεύσαντες, "nēsteusantes"): Refers to abstaining from food, implying self-denial and spiritual discipline. 2.

"Prayed" (προσευξάμενοι, "proseuxamenoi"): Signifies more than uttering prayers; it implies worship and seeking God's face earnestly. 3.

"Laid their hands on them" (ἐπιθέντες τὰς χεῖρας, "epithentes tas cheiras"): A significant gesture indicating identification, blessing, and impartation.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparison to ancient myths and religions, the laying on of hands was not unique to Christianity. Similar practices were found in Judaic traditions and other ancient religions as a means of blessing, healing, or designation of authority.

However, in the Christian context, this gesture is imbued with a distinct significance in relation to the Holy Spirit and the commissioning for ministry.

Scientific Perspectives

While there may be limited direct scientific perspectives on the ritual of fasting, prayer, and laying on of hands, studies have examined the psychological effects of these practices.

Fasting and prayer can influence emotional and mental states, which might result in heightened focus and a sense of solidarity and purpose among participants.

However, science typically does not address the supernatural aspects inherent in these religious practices.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and commentators have various interpretations and thoughts about this verse.

Matthew Henry's commentary emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in separating Barnabas and Saul for the work.

John Calvin highlights the importance of the church's involvement in sending out ministers, noting that Paul and Barnabas did not self-commission but were appointed by their church leaders.

Contemporary scholars often focus on the importance of community discernment and preparation before embarking on significant tasks or events within the life of the church.

Acts 13

Acts 13

What does Acts 13:3 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 13:3 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?