“And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off — the church formally commissions the apostles through prayer, fasting, and the laying on of hands (epitithemi ton cheiron), a gesture linking Old Testament priestly ordination with New Testament apostolic sending. The corporate act ratifies what the Spirit has already initiated, grounding missionary work in congregational discernment rather than individual ambition. This establishes the principle that the local church is the sending body, not independent wanderers.
Church Fathers on Acts 13:3
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate Me Barnabas and Saul. Acts 13:2 What being would have dared, if not of the same authority, to say this? Separate, etc. But this is done, that they may not keep together among themselves. The Spirit saw that they had greater power, and were able to be sufficient for many. And how did He speak to them? Probably by prophets: therefore the writer premises, that there were prophets also. And they were…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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