Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Acts 13:1-52
St. Barnabas the Apostle (For St. Barnabas' Day) Acts 13:1-3 We keep today the memory of St. Barnabas the Apostle. These men were not only inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon them this voice of ministration, but they were solemnly consecrated to the ministry of apostleship by the outward ordination by the then rulers of the Church. I. Love for Missionary Work. These words suggest just two or three points first the beginning of missionary work among the Gentiles. These men are... read more
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Acts 13:3
(3) And when they had fasted and prayed.—The repetition of the words that had been used in Acts 13:2 seems to imply that the fast was prolonged till the laying-on of hands had been completed. The new command called for that intensity of spiritual life of which fasting was more or less the normal condition.And laid their hands on them.—See Note on Acts 6:6. This was, as before, the formal act by which the Church attested its acceptance of the divine mission of those on whom hands were laid, and... read more