SEPARATE ME
Acts 13:1 ¶ 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. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
Here we find the Holy Spirit commanding that these two ministers be separated unto Him from those assembled at Antioch. But how did they come to leave Jerusalem in the first place? They were scattered abroad by a pandemic of severe persecution! Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 4 ¶ Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
Once the blood of the first martyr was spilled, Satan, the roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, (1 Peter 5:8), having obtained the taste of blood, broke out in a fury of persecution. Revelation 17:6 And I saw the woman {the Harlot Church}, drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: But as always, Satan is but the Lord God’s servant, and this, as all things in providence, must “work together for good.” Therefore we see that these came to Antioch due to the pandemic of persecution.
For it was always the Lord’s commanded will that the church minister to the uttermost part of the earth! Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And yet, there they were all bunched up at Jerusalem, enjoying one another as they experienced the newly given gifts of the Holy Spirit!
But how did Barnabas and Saul first come to be at Antioch, in order that the Holy Spirit can now command that they be separated unto Himself for “the work whereunto I have called them?” Here is the passage of scripture that informs us of that:
Acts 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
Acts 11:22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
Acts 11:25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
But why do we read in that Acts 8:1 verse, listed above, the words, “except the apostles?” And why, therefore do we see that they sent forth Barnabas? For the first question as to why the apostles were not scattered, a careful reading of the first ten verses of the second chapter of Galatians will give some insight. For even the great Apostle Paul showed respect in acknowledging the apostles at Jerusalem. Remember that they are of the foundation upon which the entire church is built! The Lord kept them there as the base from which the world-wide ministry of the true church grew.
Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
And as to our second question as to why was Barnabas sent forth? Let us read Acts 4:36, 37. Acts 4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
This man, Joses, was such a true serving Levite that the church, recognizing his spiritual gift, renamed him “Barnabas.” For he truly was a “son of consolation.” And it is a rare thing that an entire church recognize the spiritual gift of a contemporary prophet among them. But it is a thing most beneficial to them if they do so. Matthew 10:40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
And had not the Lord God commanded that his ministers comfort his people? Isaiah 40:1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.
Ezekiel 14:22 Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it. 23 And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord GOD.
And just what did our Lord imply concerning himself and the Holy Spirit? Are they not referred unto as both being “Comforters?” John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Like the gardener digging up the bulbs of the clusters of flowers, separating them and then replanting portions of them in separate places, the Lord multiplies by separation. In fact, separation was the very first issue of faith to the first father in the Christian church! Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4 ¶ So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him;
And according to the Apostle Paul this was nothing less than the Lord God “preaching the gospel” to Abraham! Galatians 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
And our Lord Jesus continues to instruct us in this matter as well. We must realize that it is to the Lord God alone to whom we owe our habitual allegiance. Luke 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
For true Christianity does not draw in the brotherhood of mankind. It does not draw in all men without exception! It draws in all kinds of men without distinction. 1Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, (that is, all kinds of men), and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
We seldom think of that which the Lord revealed concerning himself early on, at the outset of his revelation to us. And that is, He is a very jealous God! Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: Deuteronomy 4:24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
And he requires separation from humankind as a prerequisite for spiritual fellowship with himself! It is the issue of faith to even the present day believer. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
And we don’t seem to fully grasp that our relations in marriage are but provided to give us insight to our relationship with God, our Heavenly Husband! Isaiah 54:4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. 5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. Ephesians 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
But here we all are in this present generation, all bunched up emotionally, seeking to enjoy but the warm fuzzy feelings drawn from inordinate affections, rather than the true spiritual comfort provided with the walk with God. Yet our Lord in his kindness has sent the modern day pandemic to afford us the separation of at least “social distancing.” And has done so in order that we may renew our spiritual fellowship with Him. Hopefully we have not “left our first love!”
For no matter how perfect the church at Ephesus was in her religious structure, the Lord threatened to unchurch her by the removing of her light-giving opportunity for the sole reason of her lack of love to Himself! Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Without her first love to him, she was only left with a form of godliness! 2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
They thought themselves doing “wonderful works.” But the Lord defines them as those who “work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
So where is that true church today? That church hated of all men? That church providing the Lord God with fellowship at the expense of being denied fellowship with men? Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
After a birth Enoch walked with God. That’s what the new birth will do for the truly borned of the Spirit! Genesis 5:21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: 22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Do we “please God?” Gal. 1:10 …or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Pastor Gene Breed
July 08, 2020
