Key Word
Study: Commissioned
Acts
Chapter 12:25-13:43
Read Acts 12:25-13:3 and write some reasons
below why it is important to commission mission groups and why churches should pray
specifically for God’s Spirit to send the groups out.
Laying on of hands is a
symbolic yet extremely meaningful act of asking God to pour out His blessings.
It represents the act of praying for those commissioned to the task of ministry.
Read Matthew 19: 13-15- - 13Then little children were
brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples
rebuked them. 14But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me,
and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15And
He laid His hands on them and departed from there.
Also Acts 6:6- - These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as
they laid their hands on them.
2Timothy 1:6-7- - 6This is why I remind you to fan into
flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7For
God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and
self-discipline.
1 Timothy 4:14- - Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received
through the prophecies spoken to you when the elders of the church laid their
hands on you.
Several
times in the passage, the results of a praying church in Jerusalem and in
Antioch can be seen by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit (see verse 4,
9, and 42). So strong was the power of the Holy Spirit, the people were
actually begging for the Word to be preached to them! Ask God that we might
have such a reception.
Recorded
here in verses 16-41 is a typical sermon which Saul, who is now called Paul for
the first time, would preach when he would enter a new city. Notice how they
asked him to speak,
“If you have any word of __________________________, say
it!”
