Hear now the Word of Almighty God, Acts 13, verses 1 through 4. Verse 1. And 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 Manaan, which had been brought up with Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul. 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. And when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia, and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. Thus far the reading of God's inspired word. May the Lord bless us in the reading and hearing of it, and now in the preaching and hearing of his inspired word. Let's pray toward that end. Our Father in heaven, we thank you that you have given us in your word everything necessary for life and godliness. and that in particular, you have shown us through the power of your spirit, through the superintendence of Jesus Christ in his church, what are those things that please you in the government of her. We pray that you would build us up in the knowledge of these things, that we may receive them with faith, hope, and love, and be ready to practice them in our lives. We ask in Jesus' name, amen. Please be seated. We continue in our series, Biblical Presbyterianism, this being our sixth part and our final, and we'll continue then in Romans chapter 10, God willing, next week. Or possibly the following. In review from our last time, two weeks back, we looked at Acts chapter 15, verses one through six, and verses 22 through 28. We saw the powers of presbyteries or of the courts of the church to ministerially determine controversies of faith in cases of conscience, to set down rules and directions for the better ordering of the public worship of God and the government of his church, to receive complaints in cases of maladministration, and authoritatively to determine the same. We also looked at our fourth vow as members of the RPCGA that you take, in which you vow to submit to the Presbytery's determination in cases involving discipline or controversy or cases of conscience. Now then, let us consider Acts 13, verses one through four, where we'll look at the power of Presbytery's to ordain. Verse one, and we'll actually, we've looked at this passage before briefly, we'll take some other things we've looked at, correlate them together and draw some conclusions. Now there were in the church that was at Antioch. You'll remember from our prior studies when it says the church, it doesn't mean one single congregation, although it can mean that. But often, as we saw in Jerusalem and Ephesus and Corinth, it refers to a collection of single congregations under one church government. We would call this a presbyterial church, a council of elders, over several congregations. Please open to Acts chapter 11 and we'll consider what sort of church was this church at Antioch. Just one page turned back. Acts 11, page 1108. We'll read verses 19 through 26. You'll recall that Stephen had been persecuted and slain at Jerusalem, and upon his persecution, there was a sending forth. Who went forth? Well, actually, it was the leaders of the church who were scattered abroad. Many people assume erroneously that it was the bulk of the disciples at Jerusalem. It was not. It was those teachers and prophets who were scattered abroad. They were the ones who had a price on their head, as did Stephen. With that in mind, verse 19. Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 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. And the hand of the Lord was with them. And a great number believed and turned unto the Lord. Clue number one, how many people believed? What says a great number? Clue number two, how many pastors and teachers do they have? It doesn't tell us with a number of precision, but you can write it down, it's more than one. There's more than one pastor at Antioch, and now you have a bunch of converts, a great number. Not just a few people, a great number. Verse 22. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem. By the way, that's a Presbyterial church as well. And they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch, who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith, and much people was added unto the Lord. Okay, so we had a great number Now we have much people. We had several teachers and preachers. Now we have another one added to their number. This is one church at Antioch. Verse 25. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus for to seek Saul. What's he looking for? Well, we need more help. We need more teachers. We need more preachers. Let me go get another one. So now we have multitudes or many disciples. We have extras added to them. We have several teachers. We need more teachers. Barnabas goes to get Saul. 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." Notice, we have lots of teachers and we have lots of people. And how many churches do we have? Just one. The church at Antioch. All right. Several preachers, great numbers of converts, verse 21. More teachers added by Barnabas, verse 22. Barnabas goes up, verses 25 and 26. Saul joins with him. Much people were added to the Lord, verse 24. A great number added to, in verse 24, from the already large number in verse 21. The Lord was making them fishers of men. He's fulfilling His promise. He promised that He would do these great things through their hands, and here He does them. And subsequent to this, you'll notice verse 27, which we didn't read, more prophets come down from Jerusalem. They need more help. There are more people, there are more congregations, there are more disciples, and so they need more ministers. One church, several congregations, a Presbyterial church. Now there were, let's turn back to chapter 13 with that in mind, what sort of church are we talking about? That was at Antioch, it is a Presbyterial church. It tells us there were certain prophets and teachers. Again, this is an indefinite way of speaking. We've already seen all of those that went up there, scattered at the persecution of Stephen. Barnabas sent up. He goes to get Saul. Verse 27 of chapter 11, more prophets are sent up. Now from among these certain prophets and teachers. As, and then it gives a list. Okay, well, what sort of prophets and teachers are we talking about? So it gives us a short list, five of them. Barnabas and Simeon and Lucius of Cyrene and Menaen and Saul. Now this is not the full list of the register of their elders. This is merely a short list because it's going to tell us two of their number were taken. Verse two. 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." Here notice, they're ministering to the Lord. They're performing public services to Christ, which John Chrysostom takes to refer to their preaching. All of them are preaching. They all preach in one congregation? No, there's several congregations. They're out preaching, then they're fasting, joining together in prayer, and denying themselves, for there is something on the horizon, a great work of the Lord. And while they're doing this, God in those extraordinary times would speak directly to people by visions, with audible voices. We don't know. It seems to be an audible voice because it says the Holy Ghost said, directly communicating to them, separate me, Barnabas and Saul. Now this is very interesting the way that it's put. It is second person plural. Ye, the Spirit of God is not speaking to one or to two, but to the entire group of the elders, the presbytery. Ye, I want you to do something. Urgently, immediately, do it right now. Separate, sever, set apart. The Presbytery is doing the act of appointment. They are commanded to do it by the Spirit of God Himself. You do this, separate for me, he says. Barnabas and Saul, he even names them. This word separate is like when Paul says he was separated unto the Gospel of God, Romans 1.11. Do you know who did that? the head of the church. Christ separated Paul unto the gospel. The Spirit says, you Presbyterians, separate these two men for the work I have called them to. Two of your number, separate them unto me, for the work whereunto I have called them. The calling is from the Spirit of God. The act of separation is from that Presbyterial church. The spirit calls and the church separates. Now how, pray tell, did this group of prophets and teachers, this Presbyterial Church at Antioch, how did their rulers and representatives respond to this? Well, you know, there's only one who can separate someone into the gospel, and that's you, Spirit of God. Why are you telling us to do this? Aren't you the one that separates people? Well, you see, the Spirit of God uses the means of grace. The head of the church, Christ himself, has not merely said the body of Christ is an organism. He's also said it's an organization. And there's a difference. An organism is a living thing. An organism lives and breathes and moves, so to speak. An organization has rules and laws and government. Is the church just an organization? No, that's called a social club. Is it just an organism? No, that's called fanaticism. The Christian faith believes that the church has a twofold aspect, a political or a republic aspect, and also an organism, a living aspect. You see, the Spirit of God honors both. He says, I have called them to this work, but who does the separating? Who does the setting apart? Well, ye, he says, separate unto me Barnabas and Saul. Take of your own number, set them aside, mark them out for me. Sever them from your number because I've called them to a work. Verse three. And when they, that is the Presbyterial Church, these elders, these prophets, these teachers, and when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. Now notice here a couple of things. First is the solemn nature of the setting apart and separation. It wasn't like, okay, we'll just go do that tomorrow. No, serious work requires serious means. Do you expect God to bless this thing that you're doing? Well, then you must engage in it in that manner, in a spirit of dependence, in a spirit of humility, which is what fasting is all about. Bring yourself down. There's a great work to be done. Don't go into it flippantly. And furthermore, you can't rely on the wisdom, on the power, on the capacity of Paul and Barnabas. You must pray to the Lord who told you to do this. Lord, please bless us in doing this. They fasted, they prayed the entire Presbytery before such a notable and important labor as the Spirit of God ordaining these men to go forth. as an act authoritatively given into their hands by the head of the church, they still pray. They still ask him, Lord, we're doing what you told us to, but please bless us. Don't make this be in vain. Having fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them. This is a solemn rite. to separate, to set apart, and to appoint. The Presbytery, the council of elders, laid their hands on Paul and Barnabas, and notice, sent them away. They separated them, they laid hands upon them, and they sent them away. Now laying hands is not like, hey brother, How are you doing? That's not the laying of hands here. Please open to 1 Timothy chapter 4, a passage we've looked at, but I'd like to look at it again to see something very interesting. 1 Timothy chapter 4, verses 12 through 14. Timothy was a young pastor, possibly unmarried, and people tend to despise a young minister, and perhaps with good reason. But Timothy was to give them no reason. Verse 12. Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery. Here, notice. How will Timothy fulfill his office? How will he suitably engage? What should he remember? Well, Paul says one thing. Think back, Timothy, to when the word of God was declared to you, and you sat among the presbyters, and they laid their hands upon you, they solemnly set you apart for this very work, and they gifted you so that it would not be robbery on your part, to preach and to read, but it would be the gift given to you to exercise yourself in. Remember that, Timothy, don't neglect it. The laying on of the hands of the presbytery conferred that gift upon you. Now, please look at chapter five of the same book, the next page over. Verses 21 and 22. The context has to do with the government of the church, the payment of ministers, accusations against elders, and the rebuke of elders that sin. Now verse 21. I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins, keep thyself pure. Okay, Timothy's charge requires of him that in the hearing of accusations against elders, in the public rebuke offered to them by the Presbytery, and in the laying on of hands of new members of that Presbytery, Timothy has a solemn duty to God and to Christ, even before the Lord Jesus. This charge is given before God himself. Observe these things, Timothy, without partiality. Don't prefer one man over another. Don't ordain somebody who's not qualified because you like him, or because he's your nephew, or because he's your pal. No. Because then, Timothy, when you ordain a man and he's not fit for his office, you partake in his sins. Lay hands suddenly on no man. Give it time. Examine the man. Watch his life. Hear his words. Observe his family. Notice, does this man govern himself suitably for the church of God? In fact, you'll find that Titus I, this is the reason Titus was left at Crete. He was to be a commission of the presbytery to see to the qualification of these men so that he could lay hands on some and not on others. Timothy, in chapter 4, is reminded that at one time you were given a gift by the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. But now, Timothy, now you have, by the laying on of the hands, become a member of that body. You had better not lay your hands on anyone who's not qualified. Once you were ordained, now you are an ordainer. That's what Timothy is told here. Adjudicate your office as a bishop impartially. Do not partake in other men's sins. Hear me before God and the Lord Jesus, Timothy, he tells him. Very solemn. Timothy had hands laid upon him and then was one of those who would lay hands upon others. Please turn back to Acts 13. this laying on of hands of this whole church in Antioch through its representatives. This is an authoritative act done under the guidance of the Spirit of God, under the organizational laws of the church of Jesus Christ. They laid their hands on them. Then what? Then they sent them away. They sent them to labor. They sent them to fulfill the calling that the Holy Ghost Himself said, I have a calling for them. Who sends them to that? Well. Presbytery, isn't it? The presbytery has the authority to send them off to do the work, even though the Spirit of God said, it's my calling. He's the organism. He is the spirit that inhabits the body. And yet, he does not dishonor or disrespect the organization of the church itself, ordained by the head of the church, our Lord Jesus Christ. The presbyters released Paul and Barnabas in their united capacity. They sent them out into the field to the calling that the Holy Ghost designated for them. And notice, those who sent them away also receive them back. We'll see this in chapter 14. Let's look at Acts 14. Turn over one page. Acts 14. We'll start at verse 3. This here is the apostle Paul and Barnabas at Iconium. Long time therefore abode they, speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided, and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. Here we have a city divided, Iconium. There's a lot of people in the city, but only part of them. It sounds almost like half of them went with the apostles. The others did not. Look down at verse 21. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that they must, through much tribulation, enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord on whom they believed. Notice, does that sound familiar? Praying, fasting, laying on of hands, commending them to the Lord. Who did that? The Antioch and Presbytery, didn't it? To Paul and Barnabas themselves. Now what are they doing in that very city, that big city divided up in two parts? They're ordaining elders in every church that is in every city, as we see in Titus chapter 1. They pray with fasting. They act as a commission of the Presbyterian Antioch to lay hands on these men and to commend them to the work of God. Verse 26. And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. Here, notice, where were Paul and Barnabas sent from? Well, the prophets and teachers in Antioch. Where did they come back to? The prophets and teachers at Antioch. They were sent by them, separated, through the command of the Holy Ghost, through the laying on of hands, with both the organism and the organization of the church coming together in one, sending them off to work. Now what? They report back. To whom? To their presbytery, to their superiors, to the officers who had the authority to send them and now to receive them back, having commended them to the grace of God, they now fall under their jurisdiction. The whole of the church comes together, which seems to be the representative church in this case. So Paul and Barnabas had hands laid upon them by their Presbytery. They were sent away and received back. Now, verse four of chapter 13. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia, and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. Hold on, time out, wait a second. Weren't they sent by the elders? Weren't they sent by the Presbytery at Antioch? What is this when it says, sent forth by the Holy Ghost? What's that supposed to mean? Well, it means just this. that when the organization, when the government of the church acts under the warrants of King Jesus, in obedience to His commands, it's the Spirit Himself that's doing it. It is the Holy Ghost who sent them, and it's the Presbytery who sent them. It's not one or the other, it's both. We tend, in folly sometimes, to think, well, we must choose. Did the Spirit send them, or did the church send them? Did the Presbytery send them, or did the Holy Ghost send them? And the answer is, yes. We'll look at this later. Does the Spirit proceed from the Father or the Son, or from both? Well, it's both. You don't have to choose between the two. It's not just the Father. It's from the Father and the Son. But here notice, the sending, the authoritative act of sending and separation for the work that the Spirit had ordained was by the Holy Ghost through the organized, governing Church. Paul and Barnabas were passive in all of this. They were sent. The Presbytery sent them, the Spirit of God sent them, and they were sent. They were passive. It was not their action. It was not their right to send themselves. They were sent by the organism, the Spirit of God, the Spirit that inhabits the church, and they were sent by the organization, the Presbytery itself. I note then this doctrine from our Book of Church Order, Section B. 5.2. Ordination is an act of presbytery. Ordination, that is the laying on of hands, the solemn setting apart for a specific task. Ordination is an act of a presbytery. The power of ordering the whole work of ordination is in the whole presbytery. In other words, if Paul and Barnabas go and ordain in all of those churches where they went, Iconium and other cities, they had to come back and they had to tell Antioch what they had done so that they could ratify or undo it. They couldn't act on their own. The power of ordination is in the whole presbytery. Now, as we saw with Timothy, every presbyter is responsible not to partake in other men's sins and not to lay hands on anyone rashly, but yet the power itself, where did Timothy get his authority to lay hands on others? By the presbytery itself. In explanation of this, that ordination is an act of a presbytery, Just to remind you, the Church of Antioch was a Presbyterial church. We saw this from the great number of believers, the multiplicity of prophets and teachers. And in this capacity, as one governing church, a council of elders, in this capacity, they laid hands on Saul and Barnabas. The Spirit recommended this to them and required it of them, but they themselves did it. They themselves set them apart. They themselves laid hands on them. And they delegated the authority even to ordain elders to Paul and Barnabas, as we saw in verses 21 through 23 of Acts 14. They received reports back from them about the progress of the work, Acts 14, 26 and 27. And this is consistent with Timothy, who was ordained by the Presbyterian gifted, and then had the power to ordain others. We didn't consider this, but it's also of note that when deacons were ordained and had hands laid on them in Acts 6 verses 1 through 6, who did it? The apostles and elders. Who's that? That's the governing church. That's the organization. That's the presbytery at Jerusalem, a collection of churches under one college of elders. That college of elders ordained deacons as well as ministers. in exhortation then. Let us give thanks for the scriptural order of the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly. We are not a perfect church. We do not do all the things that Christ requires us in the way he requires us at all times. We are sinners. And yet we may still give thanks that God in his grace has given us an order in his word. And our book of church order says, amen. We believe that. We believe that the church should be both an organism with the spirit of God dwelling in it and an organization under the laws of King Jesus. Let us thank God for that. And let us pray that God, by His grace, would enable us to use this order to build the kingdom of Christ. That your elders would not partake in other men's sins, laying hands in partiality, suddenly, without consideration. That when we send men to labor in the vineyard of Christ, that they would be qualified, grave and godly men, to do the work which the Holy Ghost has called them to. That we would receive reports from them, inspecting their labors as they minister unto the Lord. and that your presbyters would be mighty in the word and in prayer, even as these were, men of prayer and fasting, men who preached powerfully the word of God. Let us pray that Christ would raise up in His church men to be ordained to this labor, duly qualified and sent. And thus far the exposition of Acts 13 verses 1 through 4, and we conclude our series on biblical Presbyterianism.