Part 11 - Trinity Fellowship - Raton, New Mexico

WHEN GOD SETS YOU APART (The Acts of the Apostles – Part 11 )

The Teaching Ministry of Rick Trice --August 28, 2005

Acts 12:25 ; Acts 13:38-52; 2 Timothy3:8ff

When last we left Barnabas and Saul, they were in Antioch, where God had them for a whole year, fellowshipping, discipling and teaching in the church there.

Now remember, there is more than one “Antioch” in the known world at this time. This Antioch is further north up the Mediterranean coast from Galilee, in Northern Syria.

It is during this same year they are in Antioch that we also just studied about Peter imprisoned by Herod, his subsequent miraculous escape, and Herod’s violent death.

It is also during this time, in Antioch, that followers of Jesus Christ are first referred to as “Christians.” And it was, at first, a slanderous name, given to them by unbelievers!

SAUL AND BARNABAS ANOINTED

At the end of this year, Saul and Barnabas are given a mission to bring tithes and offerings and gifts to the Jerusalem church.

At some point, they then return to Antioch in Syria, along with a disciple named John Mark, who is thought to be the one who ran away when Jesus was arrested, and also the one who wrote the gospel of Mark.

(READ ACT 12:25-13:3)

The Lord set Saul and Barnabas apart for a special work. Notice that four things were required to know this: PRAYER; FASTING; THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT; THE LAYING OF HANDS.

If you think God is trying to set you apart for something, ask yourself if it’s been accompanied by any of those four things. For when God ssets you apart for a mission, it's going to be specific, and He is going to do it with clear authority.