The Ministry of Called, Commissioned, and Sent Men

Acts 13:1-12

Last week we saw how God’s kingdom has always been challenged by the world and Satan. The kings rise up and the rulers take counsel against the Lord and his anointed. But God laughs. They can’t stop his kingdom from growing. One day Christ will judge his enemies. He’ll break them with his iron scepter. But is that how the kingdom grows and spreads? Is it like the Arabs in the 7th century who conquered with the sword? From Medina to Mecca, and then to every city? Is it like the Crusaders in the 11th century? They fought the Seljuk Turks for taking Jerusalem. Was it like the Conquistadors? They force converted the Aztecs. No, God’s kingdom grows by prayer and the Word.

When those who are called, commissioned and sent, preach the Word, God’s kingdom grows. These men are those who leave comforts behind to minister in the face of opposition. These men give up careers to serve God. Some go to far off lands and others stay where they grew up. But all leave comforts to do a noble work often accompanied by difficulties and opposition. Sent by the church, these men obey God’s call. But they’re not alone; the commissioning church also obeys God.

From Acts 13, we want to examine the calling of these men and the burden of the church in 3 descriptions - firstly, they are a sacrificial people given to the work of the ministry; secondly, they are a Spirit-filled church who love the work of the ministry; and thirdly, they were sanctioned to sanction in the work of the ministry.

Firstly, they are a sacrificial people dedicated to ministry. Verse 1 says, “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.” Verse 1 gives the name of 5 men who served as prophets and teachers. These were the homegrown teachers. What we must see from here is how God really does grow a church fast. Sometimes churches take a long time to build up. Other times, they take a short time. It was 3000 in one day in Jerusalem. But it was only much later that Jerusalem became a missionary sending church. The church in Antioch was a very new church. But it was well-taught. Jerusalem sent Barnabas to them, who in turn got Saul. They also sent prophets to them like Agabus. And after a year, the church itself had its own 5 prophets and teachers. Sure, 2 - Saul and Barnabas - were borrowed but 3 were local. Because the New Testament was not yet completed, the prophets gave God’s word to the people. Like Agabus, the also foretold future events. They received from God and gave. But there were also teachers. These teachers would teach from the Old Testament - the only available Scriptures. Like Christ did on the road to Emmaus, they pointed out how these Scriptures spoke about Christ. Saul was both teacher and prophet, and apostle. This was no longer the poor, helpless, needy church plant - but a maturing church with leaders. They didn’t need to rely on Jerusalem. Jerusalem had nurtured them until they could stand.

And we learn that these men were different from one another. They were not homogenous, but heterogenous. Ministers are not only one kind. Some are tall and skinny, others are short and fat. You will have some who are extroverted but some who are introverted. You don’t expect them to be the same. You don’t expect them to be immediately well-rounded. Saul was a theologian - a Roman citizen who grew up in Tarsus having a classical education. He was also schooled in the Pharisaical traditions. He needed time to mature into his calling. Then you have Barnabas. He was a rich Greek-speaking Jew from Cyprus. A generous man. But he was different from Saul. Barnabas was kind, and merciful - he gave others a second chance. He spoke up for Saul, and brought Saul to Antioch. You have Simeon - a Jewish name. But he was nicknamed Niger. The NLT says translates it as Simeon (called “the black man”). This is literally the meaning. So it was a form of identification - not discriminatory. Even today, people are name Nigel. Now, remember, the Jews of Cyrene reached out to the Gentiles. If Simeon was from Cyrene - which would account for his darker skin - he could’ve carried Jesus’ cross. It’s goosebumps worthy. But Lucius - we know he was from Cyrene. That’s a Gentile name. He likely believed in Antioch. The most interesting, at least to me, was Manaen. We learn in verse 1 that he had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch. That’s Herod Antipas who killed John the Baptizer - they were childhood friends. This means that Manaen was not just rich, but he was likely nobility. Some scholars say he was a foster brother. The word brought up with - suntrophos - means to be nursed together. This shows a close history. They were raised together. They may have played or schooled together. Maybe they were in the same household. But now he was a believer and a minister. These heterogeneous men served together. And the church grew - not because of their personality or ability, but their activity together.

And we see that they honored Christ. Verse 2 says, “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted.” They served Christ unceasingly. When it says they fasted, it means that they went without food to seek God in prayer and to serve him. They honored Christ that they sacrificed their time and sleep and here, food in order to serve. Why did Antioch grow? Because Jerusalem sacrificed Barnabas, Saul returned, and these men gave of themselves to serve Christ and his kingdom. Manaen knew what the Herodians were like. He grew up with Herod Antipas and now saw what his nephew was like. He knew what he was getting himself into. The kingdom can’t grow without these men. And yet, these men were not the only reason for the growth of the kingdom.

We see secondly, the Antioch church was a Spirit-filled church who loved ministry. They submitted to Christ to commission people to do the work. 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.” During one of their worship services, as they ministered (or leitourgia, liturgy) to the Lord in a worship service; when these men were praying, the Holy Spirit gave a command to set apart Saul and Barnabas for missions. It was not something that these men sought for. It was not for their health or because they wanted position. They already were the prophets and teachers in Antioch. It was already a growing church, a rich and sacrificial church, supporting even famine relief. And they were to be sent out to strange and dangerous lands, with a strange and foolish message - that a crucified man can forgive sins. But it was a call from Christ himself.

And the church submitted to that command. They laid hands to set them apart and sent them away. If a church had these men, they would want to keep them for themselves. These were the men who had helped to build up the church. But this church did not grasp. As Jesus did not grasp onto his glory, but set it aside for a season to be a servant, this church did not grasp onto these men, but gave them up for the kingdom’s sake. They were doing what Jerusalem did - in giving Barnabas. And these two men obeyed the Spirit - they submitted to the laying of hands. Now, how did the Spirit speak? Perhaps audibly or by vision - we don’t know. Likely one of the prophets gave this instruction at the worship service. The church heard, and laid hands to commission them. They sanctioned them to do this work. The fact that these 2 men allowed the laying of hands showed submission. You see, no man has the right to assume the role of an officer. He can’t start his own church. He can’t make himself a pastor. He has to be sent by the laying of hands. What’s remarkable is that Barnabas and Saul submitted to the hands of men they had taught. But through this, they acknowledged their gift, call, and commissioning. This would be difficult work. They knew this. They’d seen opposition in Jerusalem. James was killed. Peter arrested. But they also saw kingdom growth. They saw a rich and privileged older man like Manaen, giving up his life and comfort to serve God.

But how would they serve God in the face of opposition and growth? They would behave as the called, commissioned, and sent men that they were. That’s the third description we see in this passage - thirdly, they were sanctioned to sanction in the work of the ministry. In verse 3, the church sent them away. But in verse 4, we see that it was the Holy Spirit that sent them away - “So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.” This means that both sent these men. The church and the Spirit sanctioned them. Now, sanction is a contronym - a word that is its own opposite. Like cleave - means to cut apart or to stick together; or fast - which means to be quick or to stand firm. Or oversight - like elders have oversight in the church, but sometimes, as men, we miss things - there’s an oversight. So sanction means to authorize as well as to oppose. So the church and Spirit sanctioned - authorized them. Barnabas and Saul traveled to Seleucia first - which was nearby - on the coast of the Mediterranean. Today in Turkey near the border of Syria is the town Antakya - or Antioch. They have the best k’nafeh there - a cheesy dessert. And nearby is Seleucia. Known as Çevlik today, you can still see the ruins of the ancient port. It was from this port that they sailed to Cyprus. They landed on the east coast of Cyprus in Salamis. John Mark also went as their assistant. They preached there in the synagogues. This was Saul pattern in every city that he went. Eventually they crossed the island and found themselves at Paphos, on the west.

And we see what happened in Paphos. There were two men. One wanted to hear the gospel - to sanction or approve it; the other wanted to sanction or oppose it. Verses 6 and 7 say - “And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: 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.” The first was Bar-Jesus - a Jew. But he was a false prophet. And worse still, a sorcerer. Bar-Jesus had an alias - Elymas - a Greek title used by magicians. Like the The Great Harry Houdini! Bar-Jesus, his Aramaic name, meant son of salvation but he was a false prophet. Remember. When God works, Satan does too. But why was he there before Saul and Barnabas? It’s because Sergius Paulus wanted to hear the gospel. He desired it. He sanctioned it. Sergius Paulus was a Roman official - a proconsul. He was a prudent or intelligent man - and he needed to be. The proconsul was deputized by the Roman Senate to oversee an entire province. And what a wonderful thing that he wanted to hear the gospel. He was asking to hear the Word of God. He approved of it. But Elymas opposed it. Verse 8 says, “But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.” He sanctioned or opposed the gospel. He didn’t want Sergius to hear it. He did it by opposing Saul and Barnabas to turn the deputy from them. Saul and Barnabas came with the gospel. Through the preaching of it, Christ would save. And here was someone who was turning someone away from the gospel. These were men who were sanctioned by the Holy Spirit and church to extend the kingdom. Here was one man who tried to sanction them. What did Saul do?

He sanctioned Elymas. Verses 9-10 - “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?” Here, he exercised his God-given, Spirit and church sanctioned authority against this opposition. He rebuked Elymas. He pronounced judgment. He looked at him - I’d like to have seen those eyes - and called him a child of the devil and full of lies! But why did he use such strong words? It’s because the soul of Sergius was at stake. Elymas wanted to take him down with him. One online commentator said this, and I found it very helpful - “If one wants to commit spiritual suicide, that’s one thing. It’s never right to bring others down. If you want to give up on the things of God and grow bitter in your heart against Him, that’s your choice. But it is a heavy sin to draw anyone else away with you, either with your words or your example.” This is the same with anything else - even strong convictions. It’s wonderful to have strong convictions on things. But if you want to be a martyr, don’t drag others down with you.

So Saul did what he was sanctioned to do as an apostle. He not only opens the doors to the kingdom of heaven by the gospel, he also closes it by the gospel. To those who wouldn’t repent. He told him in verse 11 that he will be blind and unable to see the sun for a season. That it was God’s hand on him. And immediately he couldn’t see, needing someone to lead him by the hand. What’s interesting is that Saul who opposed Elymas had himself experienced this. He was once struck blind. And now he declared judgment in Christ’s name! He knew that Elymas deserved. Saul deserved it. We all deserve it.

While the judgment was the same, the response was different. Paul repented while Elymas didn’t. Verse 1 - Paul was a true prophet. Verse 6 - Elymas was a false prophet. Verse 9 - Paul was full of the Holy Spirit. Verse 10 - Elymas was full of lies. Paul was a child of God. Elymas, called Bar-Jesus, was a child of Satan. While Paul’s blindness led to salvation; Elymas’ led to condemnation. Paul was led by hand to Ananias for restoration, but Elymas was left in his blindness - no one led him. Remember one thing. He wanted to prevent Sergius from hearing the gospel.

But with opposition gone, Sergius was led to Christ. Verse 12 - “Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.” Sergius was a Gentile. Cornelius was a Gentile but also a God-fearer. But the gospel was alien to Sergius. And here, he was astonished by it. The gospel saves. But let’s not miss the significance. There was a new era beginning. Saul was thrust into the face of opposition after his calling. Just like Christ and Peter before him. When Saul, also called Paul, met the sorcerer, he pronounced judgment. When Peter met Simon the sorcerer, he pronounced judgment. When Paul was commissioned, receiving the anointing of hands, he was thrust into the opposition of this child of the devil. When Jesus was commissioned, he was thrust into the temptation of the devil. Just as Christ by his power defeated Satan, Paul and Peter also defeated Satan and his false prophets.

Dearly beloved, what is the application for us here? It’s to know God’s way of advancing his kingdom. It’s by called, commissioned, and sent men - who preach, who open the kingdom of God and close the very same by the gospel. Unless there are men like Saul and Barnabas, the kingdom will not advance. We need to see the role of the minister, elder, and deacon, as roles ordained by God to do the work of the ministry. No one should assume those duties but they who are called. That’s why, the church is also part of that process - to pray and to choose from amongst itself. To set them apart. Both must respond in obedience to God. When they do their work, ultimately it’s Christ who works through them. We stand in awe of Christ and his Spirit who sanctioned Barnabas and Saul to serve. We are amazed by Christ who sanctioned Elymas in judgment, and saved Sergius in mercy. When we rely on God - to pray and serve, putting aside many things so the church can grow, that faithful men might be called, then the kingdom will grow. When we receive the word brought by our ministers, receive the admonition of our elders, receive the care and mercy of our deacons - the kingdom grows. They are sanctioned by God and church.

The other application is this. Has God laid a burden on the heart of some here? Perhaps to serve Christ as an officer. It is a good thing to desire such an office. Maybe even full-time. Keep praying. Ask him to increase that burden. Let the church pray the Lord to send more into his vineyard. Those sanctioned by God and church - that they may have heart and boldness to bring the gospel to the lost - to preach, to admonish, to do great works enabled by God. We want men who were once blinded by God and come forth seeing, those who are astonished by the gospel and believe with all their heart. And this is also certain - that there will be fierce opposition. That’s why such a man must be called, commissioned, and sent. Let us as ministers and ministerial students, endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. And that’s why we not only need men to pray and give their lives to serve God - we also need godly women who would pray that they would be called as minister’s wives. To support husbands in such a fierce fight. I pray for all ministerial wives, the wives of elders, and deacons. You have a tough ministry. Be also faithful.

The Need for Called, Commissioned, and Sent Men

Acts 13:1-12

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