Manahen

Church is an opportunity, an opportunity.

You'll notice in chapter 13 verse one, "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers, as Barnabas and Simeon that was called Niger and Lucius of Cyrene and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul." And I think they put that in there about being brought up with Herod the tetrarch on purpose, letting you know that regardless of your past, that God can save you, change you, and use you for the glory of God.

Amen to God.

Verse two, "As they ministered to the Lord", now, there's number one, your opportunity.

"When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.

Now 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.

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.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.

Now in the church that was at Antioch, there were certain prophets and teachers.

Barnabas, Simeon, who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul.

As they ministered to the Lord.

So at the church, which is at Antioch, there were prophets, there were teachers, they were gathered together.

Mm-hmm.

Acts 13:1, "Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul." While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, sounds a lot like Acts 2.

While they were together worshiping and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

You see both consumption and preservation happening in the same three verses right here.

So Luke here, what we see is he names five leaders in this gathering.

It's Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Saul.

And yet the Holy Spirit actually sets two of them apart, Barnabas and Saul.

So the other three, the other three are not le- less gifted.

Acts 13 verse number 1.

"Now there in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, with Saul.

And they ministered to the Lord, and fasted.

The Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

"And he said unto them, 'This kind cometh not forth, this kind cometh forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting.'" Let me see Acts 13:1-2 in the New Living Translation, Acts 13:1-2.

"Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon," I'm not gonna call him that, "Lucius, Manaen, the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas, and Saul." Verse two: "One day as the, these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work that I've called them.'" So Saul was nothing when Jesus met him.

Then he went and studied for a while.

Then we see him among the pro- the companies of prophets and teachers, which again, when people say pastor and teacher is the same gift, it's not, because it's separate there.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

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.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.