David Bahn – Reflections

Acts 13:1-12

Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

In times of duress we tend to draw nearer to God, praying more earnestly, seeking God’s direction, and looking for his help more intentionally.  We might even fast for a time…during times of duress. More often than not, however, the ebb and flow of life requires a more casual prayer life. We may pray for certain needs. We may thank God for the blessings we have. We may ask for God’s guidance in our church’s ministry. But all these we offer with less fervor than during times of difficulty and trial.

I can think of times in my life when I was more prone to pray earnestly. I recall times of fasting – though they are few. And I recall how vitally important God was to me during those times. Out of those times have come experiences of joy (because of answered prayers), revival, and mission.

The church in Antioch was a church given to fasting, worshiping, and prayer. They had prophets and teachers there. The names and places from which they came also were multi-cultural. Whether this was a single local gathering, like a synagogue, or a collection of house churches – each with its leader – is not certain. What is certain, however, is that this church is becoming the sending church for international mission trips. When the Holy Spirit speaks to them about sending Saul and Barnabas on a mission trip, they respond. They pray, lay on hands, and send them out.

The result of the sending, and their following the Spirit’s lead, was the first of many encounters with new people, and conversions, and demonstrations of the power of the Lord. It is during this trip that Saul takes the name Paul – the Greek equivalent of Saul. Seeds were planted all throughout Cyprus. Even Sergius Paulus, the proconsul, is converted. Some have suggested that the Books of Luke and Acts were dedicated to him under the title, “Most Excellent Theophilus.” Perhaps this is true. But it is certainly true that this first foray into foreign mission work starts strong, launched from worship, fasting, and prayer.

Perhaps we need to fast and pray…earnestly. Not because of issues of personal comfort or need, but because of the urgent cause of the Mission of God.