October 12, 2026 - Acts 13

What a pivotal moment in the life of the church is reported in chapter 13!  “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” (13:2-3).  And what was that work?  Well, it was the work Jesus had given his disciples in chapter 1:  “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (1:8).  Dr. Al Jackson, at Baxter, several weeks ago, observed that last words typically are important words.  And what were the last words of Jesus reported by the Gospel writers?  Well, there’s the Great Commission of Matthew 28.  There’s the go into all the world and proclaim the gospel instruction of Mark 16:15.  There’s the gospel to be proclaimed to all nations of Luke 24.  There’s the “I am sending you” of John 20:21.  And, of course, Acts 1:8.  Any common thread, here?  Of course, there is!  Though we as believers and as the church will focus our attention on many issues and do many things in service to others, one thing is of primary importance, i.e., the telling of the gospel to the world.  So, Barnabas and Saul “went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.  When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God” (13:4-5).  Thus began the great missionary enterprise of the early church and the work that we continue, today.  Recall Fanny Crosby’s great old hymn?

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,

snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;

weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,

tell them of Jesus the mighty to save.

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying;

Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

Rescue the perishing, duty demands it—

strength for your labor the Lord will provide;

back to the narrow way patiently win them,

tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.   –Fanny Crosby (1869)