Acts 13:1-3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:2

Verse 2 2And they ministered to the Lord. The word which Luke useth doth not only signify to be occupied about holy things, but also sometimes to bear public offices. And because the holy rites of the Gentiles did for the most part consist upon [of] burnt-offerings and sacrifices, it is oftentimes taken for to offer sacrifice; which sense did well like the Papists, that they might prove that the apostles did use some sacrifice. But admit it were so; yet do they foolishly pretend for defense of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:3

Verse 3 3.When they had fasted and prayed. That they may obey the oracle, they do not only send Paul and Barnabas away; but also with a solemn rite they appoint them to be the apostles of the Gentiles; it is without question that this was a public fast. Luke said before, that they were fasting, forasmuch as they were busied in their ministry: it might be that that was according to the custom; but now there is another reason, for in appointing a public fast, which used to be done in hard matters... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:1

At Antioch., in the Church that was there for in the Church that was at Antioch, A.V.; prophets, etc., for certain prophets, etc., A.V. and T.R.; Barnabas, etc., for as Barnabas, etc., A.V.; Symeon for Simeon, A.V.; the foster-brother of for which had been brought up with, A.V. At Antioch, in the Church , etc. κατὰ τὴν οὖσαν ἐκκλησίαν rather means "the existing Church," just as at αἱ οὖσαι ἐξουσίαι means "the existing powers," "the powers that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:1-3

An illustrious Church. Antecedently it might have been expected that the Church of Jerusalem would prove to be the most influential and illustrious of all Christian communities, and that from all lands and ages men would look back to it as the most potent factor in the early history of "our holy religion." But in this respect it must give place to "the Church that was at Antioch." This community was remarkable for four things. I. ITS HUMAN COMPOSITION . ( Acts 13:1 .) Great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:1-3

Ordination of Barnabas and Saul. I. THE TRUE WEALTH OF A CHURCH . There were prophets and teachers at Antioch. Nothing is said about its wealth in money, only about its wealth in men. A religious community may possess splendid buildings, wealthy members; may command amply all the external appliances of worship and work; but unless it has men, it has not strength. Intelligence and enthusiasm, piety and genius, constitute the true forces of the Church. Without these, it is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:1-5

An ordination service. This chapter is very interesting, as finding for us the real starting-point of Saul's grand missionary labors; as recording the change of his name to Paul ( Acts 13:9 ); as altering the order hitherto observed in mentioning it, from "Barnabas and Saul" to "Paul and Barnabas" ( Acts 13:2 , Acts 13:8 ; comp. with Acts 13:13 , Acts 13:43 ); and lastly, as forming the commencement of a long sketch of history almost exclusively occupied with his acts and career... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:1-15

The invasion of heathendom. It has been well remarked that Antioch was the true center of direct missions to the heathen world. An Ethiopian eunuch, and a Roman centurion, had indeed been gathered into the fold of Christ. But they were both closely connected with the land of Judah, and their conversion had not led to any further extension of the gospel of Christ. At Antioch the seed of Christian truth first fell in abundance upon heathen soil; from Antioch first went forth the preachers of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:2

And as for as, A.V. They ministered ; i.e. not, as Meyer explains it, the whole Church, but the prophets and teachers, doubtless at an assembly of the Church. The word λειτουργούντων , here rendered "they ministered" (from which the word "Liturgy" is derived), signifies any solemn ministration or holy service. In the Old Testament the LXX . use it as the rendering of תרֵשֵׁ , to minister (often with the addition "to God," or "to the Lord "), which is a general word applying to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:2-3

Human separation to Divine missions. The point to which attention may be directed is that the living Lord, presiding in his Church, selects the persons to do his work, but requires the Church to make outward and formal recognition of his selection. Christ calls to work. The Church separates to work. This subject may be introduced by illustrations of the ways in which God was pleased to communicate his will under the older dispensations, as e.g. by the vision and message of angels, by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:2-4

The presidency of the Holy Ghost. "The Holy Ghost said;" "Being sent forth by the Holy Ghost." Seriously erroneous views of the presidency of the Holy Ghost in the Christian Church or Churches make it necessary that the true and scriptural teaching on the subject should be explained. It is assumed, by some sections, that this presidency secures the absolute truth of whatever may be said at such a meeting, and the infallibility of every decision to which such a meeting may be led. But the... read more

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