In Acts 13:1–5 it’s interesting to note the spiritual activity and priorities the early church at Antioch possessed before starting the first of three recorded “church planting journeys.” We see the following spiritual activity preceding the activity of the Holy Spirit:

The Activity of Ministry: Acts 13:2 “Ministered to the Lord”

Before God can use us to do the extraordinary, He is seeking to find us faithful with the ordinary.

The Activity of Fasting: Acts 13:2-3 “Fasting”

Acts 13:2—As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted.

Acts 13:3—And when they had fasted and prayed.

Acts 14:23—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.

The Activity of Prayer: Acts 13:3 “Prayer”

Acts 13:3—And when they had fasted and prayed.

Acts 14:23—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.

Acts 16:25—And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

The Activity of the Holy Spirit: Acts 13:2

He Speaks—“The Holy Spirit said” Acts 13:2

He Calls—“Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” Acts 13:2

He Directs—“For the work” Church Planting is “the work” of the local church.

Acts 1:8—Commission, connected to the Holy Spirit

Acts 8:29—Converts, connected to the Holy Spirit Acts 10:19,20

Acts 9:31—Churches, plural, connected to the Holy Spirit

He Sends—“So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost” Acts 13:4