Barnabas and Saul Sent Off
13 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with 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 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ac 13:1-3
This is where I was studying this morning for my own devotional time. I thought I’d be clever (this almost never works out for me) and do a quick word study.
I know that the word ‘holy’ means to be set apart, so, I thought maybe that the Holy Spirit’s command to ‘set apart’ Saul and Barny (yeah, we’re that tight) was a derivation of that Greek root for holy. If it was the same word, then cool, I’ll look super smart someday preaching that and very insightful to boot.
Problem is, it’s not the same word. DRAT!
Even when I used other English versions, the Greek never changed, how can this be? Apparently my clever reserves are running low.
Through the veil of my disappointment of what obviously would have been a stellar preaching point if some ancient writer (stupid Luke) hadn’t picked some inferior word through the power of the Holy Spirit (uh… that’s right… I take it all back, my bad… GOOD WORD CHOICE LUKE!), I decided to go ahead and see what was written there.
The word for ‘set apart’ is…
ἀφορίζω – strictly mark off by boundaries; hence (1) separate, sever, take away ; (2) as excluding from a society cut off, excommunicate, drive out ; (3) of separation for a special purpose set apart, appoint.
Wow. Maybe that’s cool, too.
You see, the same strong verb used for calling somebody to special service and ministry is used for excommunicating someone who is in open, unrepentant rebellion.
That’s huge! Why you may ask as you read this drinking your coffee, or as you sneak a peak while goofing off at work, or while yelling at your friends, “Shut up, I’m reading Andy’s blog!” Good blog buddies, I appreciate you.
Why is this a huge issue? isn’t it just vocabulary?
Here’s the problem: We think of God’s calling on our life as a question, or a debatable issue at best. Let me provide you this fictitious, yet, all to real conversation:
“If God called you into ministry, what would you do?”
“I don’t know, I think I’d really have to pray about it.”
“I know that’s such a big decision. What would your family say.”
“O please, don’t get me started…”“I don’t think I’m built for that kind of stuff. People irritate me too much.”“Amen, besides, what’s the probability that God would call us anyway. By the way, Isn’t Pastor Andy exceptionally handsome…”
Hmmm…(hey, I just write them as i imagine them)
If I am reading this passage correctly, we aren’t understanding God correctly. When God calls and sets us apart, it’s not a matter of debate, discussion, or diplomacy.
It’s a matter of action.
How many times has God called us to invite a friend, give to a need, serve in a ministry, go on a mission or become the hands and feet of Jesus right where we are?
But, we hesitate.
Out of fear, confusion, the unknown, apathy or even holy procrastination, we answer the call of God with ‘no’ or ‘in just a minute.’
By the way, both of those answers are unacceptable when they come from my children as a response to a parental command. I’ll let you draw the spiritual connection there.
That same word for ‘set apart’ was not a choice for those who were disobedient. They were set apart by God because of the decisions they had made and were being put in a spiritual TIMEOUT. No debate, no delay, it just happened. Excommunicated, cast out, separated, it was not a matter of choice, it was a reality.
Same word: God ‘sets apart’ those he calls to do acts of ministry. There is to be no debate, no delay, it’s just supposed to happen.
That’s exactly what the church did in this passage here in Acts: “So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”
What happens when we do debate and delay? We can only assume that god’s plans are not thwarted, so, His assignment (and, with it, blessing) moves on to others who will answer the call.
So, what’s the point of all of this.
When God calls, answer!
If you want to delay because of fear, remember: “But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Is 43:1-3
If you want to say no because of confusion, remember: “To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue. 2 All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord. 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. ”
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Pr 16:1-3
If you are hindered by the unknown, remember: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. ”
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Mt 7:7-8
And, if the spirit of (un)holy procrastination and apathy has seized control of your mortal body (out foul demon, OUT!), remember: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. ”
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Is 40:29-31
There is no mistake in following your God where he leads.
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For those study nerds, here’s a list a verses that uses the Greek word translated ‘set apart’ in our passage here, as it appears every time in the New Testament:
49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Mt 13:48-49
32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Mt 25:31-32
22 Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Lk 6:22
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 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ac 13:1-3
9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ac 19:8-9
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ro 1:1
17 “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 2 Co 6:17
15 But when God, who set me apart from birtha and called me by his grace, was pleased
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ga 1:15
12 Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ga 2:12