Acts 13:1-4 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent
them off. Acts 13:3
City: "Antioch of Syria was founded about 300 B.C. by Seleucus I Nicator, who named it after
either his father or his son, both of whom bore the name Antiochus. It was situated on the Orontes River
about 300 miles from Jerusalem and 20 miles east of the Mediterranean, at the joining of Lebanon and
Taurus mountain ranges. To distinguish it from some fifteen other Asiatic cities built by Seleucus and
also named Antioch, it was frequently called 'Antioch-on-the-Orontes',...3rd largest city...500,000+...
melting pot of Western and Eastern cultures, where Greek and Roman traditions mingled with Semitic,
Arab, and Persian influences" (Longenecker 1981:399).
Summary: In the church at Antioch, there were gathered several men: Barnabas, Simon called Niger,
Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen and Saul (Paul). While these teachers and prophets were worshiping and fasting,
the Holy Spirit came and commanded them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for a special task. They fasted and
prayed, layed their hands on them, and sent them off to do God's work.