As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted...We should not limit this to a specific hour. There is no doubt that at a specific point in time the Holy Spirit put it into the hearts of all concerned that Barnabas and Saul were called to carry the gospel to the Gentiles.

But this also means, as they gave themselves to the work which they had been entrusted with up to this point. As they ministered unto the Lord, and fasted--includes the work of a faithful teacher of the gospel. Christ's servants minister unto the Lord--those that instruct Christ's people serve Christ by preaching the gospel of Christ and by praying to the Lord for the Lord's people--both are included here in this phrase, "ministered unto the Lord." And Fasted--they separated themselves from the world, humbled themselves and denied themselves, learned to endure hardness, even denying themselves their necessary bread at times, that they might give themselves to the responsibility given them.

Over time, the Holy Spirit worked in Barnabas and Saul and proved, before the others in the church at Antioch, that these were two men whom the Lord had chosen, filled, made faithful and who were proven faithful.

In the beginning, Barnabas was faithful to do what the Lord enabled him to do right where they Lord had placed him: Acts 4: 37: Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. Later, the Holy Spirit put in the hearts of the saints at Jerusalem to send Barnabas to Antioch who went faithfully. The Lord used Barnabas to bring Saul to Antioch. When the saints determined to send relief to the church at Jerusalem during the famine, the Holy Spirit put it in their hearts to send their gift by the hand of these the two men. They did so faithfully.

Over a period of time--they ministered faithfully unto the Lord, and separated themselves from all worldly distraction to the work given them by the Holy Spirit. Then, after Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, as they continued together at Antioch with the other ministers and saints, in worship, in fasting from the cares of this world, the Holy Spirit speaks to the heart of these ministers and the saints at Antioch saying, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (Acts 13: 2.)

SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH Of Princeton, New Jersey

LOCATION & TELEPHONE
Rocky Hill Firehouse, 2nd floor
150 Washington Street, Rocky Hill, NJ, 08553
Pastor's Telephone: 615-513-4464

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Sunday 10 AM Bible Class
11 AM Morning Worship
Thursday 7:00 PM Mid-week Service
(The first Sunday of each month, morning worship begins at 10am followed by observing the Lord's Table. Afterwards we have lunch together.)