Acts 13-14 CSB
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As 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 they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off. (13:1-3)
While it is quite arguable that there were earlier examples of missions and mission trips in the bible, most commentators point to this chapter of Acts as the “first missionary journey” of Paul. What is significant to me in this account is the role of the church and the Holy Spirit in sending. We often decide we want to go “overseas” or go on some kind of a mission trip, but our call should come from the Holy Spirit and be confirmed and established by the His local church. They were all fasting and praying, and they all heard from the Holy Spirit and agreed to lay hands on a few and send them off.
It is also instructive for us that after Paul and Barnabas finished this journey they came back to the church in Antioch to give an account of their trip and what the Lord had done. The sent out ones never operate apart from the senders. There is a symbiotic relationship here between the senders, the sent out ones, and the work that is accomplished. Additionally, it is important to note that not all were sent, but all were a part of the process whether sending or going. All were also a part of that process of praying, fasting, and preparation. All were involved in the mission in some way.
It wasn’t that praying and fasting only happened after God called them to go to the nations. They were all “worshipping the Lord and fasting” and from that point, God called Paul and Barnabas to go. God calls people who are already faithful, to be sent out and to be faithful in other fields. Many times the Lord could be calling us, but we are too busy doing other things to hear His voice. It was in the midst of their worship, prayer, and fasting that they heard the voice of the Lord. I am reminded of Isaiah who was at worship in the temple when He saw a vision of the Lord and overheard Him calling, “Who will go for us?” When you are close to God it is easier to hear His call than when He has to shout at you from the distance you have created by your lack of devotion. Our path to the world typically begins in the solitude of the prayer closet.
