Giftings Acts 12:1-3 13 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. Our God is the great Enabler. He calls and equips people for the service and tasks He appoints them. It is unfortunate that in today’s society, the word “enabler” seems to have more a negative context than positive. However one of the things I enjoy doing is trying to restore words that have ended up being designated negative, and bringing to these words either the original meaning or some positive aspect. Let me just give you just one Old Testament example of God’s enabling. This example is found in Exodus 31 1 Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, 5 and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship. 6 And behold, I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you: I am always amazed when I realize how God works in the lives of those whom He calls. Here is Moses on the mountain, receiving some kind of a heavenly download of the exact detailed plans of the Tabernacle, and while this “downloading” is taking place in Moses’ mind, God has also put within the lives of several chosen men, Bezalel, and Oholiab, the specific skills to build what God has shown Moses. This is a perfect example of divine enabling. I cite this example because here in Acts thirteen is another example of how God has placed in the church at Antioch, the right men, divinely equipped for the mission God is giving them. More specifically, Luke not only names them, but gives a description of what “gifting” they were endowed with. These men were proven teachers and prophets and were functioning in these callings at the church in Antioch. Now God was about to expand their ministry, but first notice how a word from the Lord is spoken in the context of what was happening. “2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Of course the “they” who were ministering to the Lord and fasting, includes not only the men named, but others of the local church body who were seeking the Lord. Let me offer a strong word of both encouragement and admonishment. God moves in the lives of the church when His people fast and pray. I know that you all are aware of this, but I personally think that this whole activity of fasting and praying, with like-minded hearts seeking the Lord, can never be emphasized too much. As I have mentioned before, if we take the time to study the birth of revivals and movements of the Holy Spirit we will almost always find that these visitations of God were birthed in prayer, fasting, and seeking the Lord. This is certainly the pattern in scripture also. Just a cursory reading of the book of Acts will firmly establish this truth. Judas’s replacement was selected after a time of prayer, and employing a permitted method of guidance; the casting of lots. The pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon the Gentiles came after a time of prayer by Peter, and also Cornelius. And today’s scripture indicates a similar pattern. God often speaks in times of prayer and fasting. I do not want to move into a discussion or debate about the prophetic ministry, or the role of prophets in the church of the book of Acts or in today’s body of Christ. I know we now have the canonized scripture, and I know that we are not to “add” to it in anyway. However if we look again at the five-fold ministry that Jesus bestowed upon the church after His ascension, an honest, accurate, approach to Ephesians 4:11 and the verses following, will indicate that these “giftings” are to remain until the entire church reaches the fullness of the measure of the stature of Christ. This is how the early church functioned, and by God’s grace accomplished ministry. I honestly see no reason why the church of today should not follow this Biblical precedent. So in Christian in Christian love and encouragement, let me issue a call to all of us to often be in an attitude of prayer and fasting, seeking God to equip and anoint all those whom He has called. Who knows what the Lord might do?
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 15:58:07 +0000
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