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.” Acts 13:2 NABRE
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The book called Acts captures the events after Jesus ascends to his Father. It describes what the followers of Jesus did to spread the message and mission of Jesus. Much of the book captures the activities of Paul, a Jew who is persecuting followers of Jesus until he has a conversion, becoming a great preacher on behalf of Christ. Along with Paul another man named Barnabas is respected as a great founder and model for Christ. We have this line in the book of Acts where we see the Holy Spirit, the one sent by Christ, calls both Paul (referred here by his Roman name) and Barnabas specifically to work on behalf of Christ. To be set apart by the Holy Spirit is a great sanctifying act which provides much grace, power, wisdom, understanding, wise counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, along with great respect and awe for God. These men, accepting the Spirit’s call become church founders, spreading a message leading people to Christ.
Though the Spirit is the power behind the mission of Christ, it is rare to hear the Spirit speaking, yet, we have this quote from the Spirit in the Acts of the Apostles, directly calling these two men for be set apart. The Spirit is the one God sends to give gifts to those He chooses to sanctify, gifts guiding the called to accept the work of the Spirit. But the Spirit only speaks for God, as we read in John, “But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming.” (16:13) Listen for the Spirit and know you are hearing from God.
Have you heard the Holy Spirit? Do you know the Spirit speaks for God?
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