They sent them away

“Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.” - Acts 13v3

Apologies in advance for something of a personalised thought today. We have here at the start of chapter 13 the story of a church who saw their need to carry out the Great Commission, to carry the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth. They did the right thing first of all; they prayed and fasted for direction. As they did so the Holy Spirit laid it on their hearts to set apart Barnabas and Saul to do the work He called them to do. The work He wanted them to do.

They then did something that has been carried on every since, and something we had the joy of experiencing – they laid hands on Saul and Barnabas and sent them away. We can often forget that these people had the same emotions that we had. I am sure it was hard for the church to send them away, but God’s word had to go out. Almost 2000 years later local churches are still doing the same. God works in people’s hearts and sets them apart, and then the local churches send them away to do the work.

My heart is touched and challenged by this thought. Back in Huntsville, Alabama there is a church which almost 13 years ago now did the same thing as the church at Antioch did. They entrusted us to be their arm to reach out to Ireland. Praise God for His pattern and for local churches who carry it out today!.