Dear Friend of Vision
“Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” (Ac. 13:1-3)
I have written extensively on this very important commission in my book Supernatural Architecture, emphasizing many points from this passage. There is one part of this passage that especially impresses me…and that is the willingness of the leaders in Antioch to be open to the move of Holy Spirit against all reason. The fact is, Barnabas, who was the lead in Antioch, and Saul, later to become Paul, his associate, were the cream of the crop, the most anointed, leading in the dynamic and no doubt busy church in Antioch. Both could have made a long-term career in that great city, but God had a better idea. There was no debate, and no second guessing…for it was clear, whether from a prophetic word or simply just knowing, that it was time for the apostolic ministry to move forward.
Leaders must always be sensitive to Holy Spirit and his direction; never commit the error of getting too settled in one area of ministry or one ministry role and expectation. Holy Spirit has a way to move things around, upset the apple cart, not to hurt us, but to help us fulfill the greatest calling we can ever be a part of…to see the Kingdom of God advanced in the earth. In that sense, come Holy Spirit and move us beyond our comfort zone into our destiny. Amen.
Dr Stan
