One of the most important things we can learn is how to recognize God’s direction when He speaks to us. Acts 13 paints a beautiful picture of this. The church was gathered in Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, and the Holy Spirit had something to say.
“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'” (Acts 13:2)
Frank Laubach learned to hear the Lord’s voice after a season of depression and anger. He had lost the vote to become president of a seminary in the Philippines. He had even voted for his opponent, which left him feeling angry and upset.
In his despair, he began taking evening walks up Signal Hill. During those walks, he talked with God and began to hear His voice.
Later, Laubach noted that if God had made him president of that seminary, that is all he ever would have become. Instead, God used him around the world to promote literacy as a way to share the gospel.
Dallas Willard believed that one of the main ways God speaks to people is through intuitive feelings. I compare this to skilled basketball players who simply know where a teammate will be and can make the perfect pass. They sense it naturally and act on it.
This is a high level of communication, very different from third-grade boys jumping up and down, waving their arms, and asking for the ball.
In both of these ways of hearing from God, and in the story of Antioch, there is a common thread. They were worshiping God and praying, and then God was free to speak.
God is a gentleman. He doesn’t kick down the doors to our hearts. But when we open our hearts to Him through prayer and worship, we can trust that He will give us direction.
The Antioch Experience
Paul discusses the work of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12, 13, and 14. In those chapters, he also addresses the gift of tongues. I highly recommend reading these chapters to gain a biblical understanding of speaking in tongues.
I was once with a group of pastors when one of them was being prayed for. During the prayer, another pastor began speaking in tongues. When he finished, the man receiving prayer paused and asked, “Does anyone have an interpretation?” At that time, no one did.
It is entirely possible that something similar happened in Antioch. They may have been worshiping and praying when someone began to speak in tongues. On that occasion, someone had an interpretation: “The Holy Spirit wants us to set apart Paul and Barnabas for missionary work.”
To be clear, this is only one suggestion of what may have happened in Antioch.
Another possibility is similar to what the Quakers practiced. During their meetings with God, they would wait until they felt the Holy Spirit had spoken. Then, they would share with the group what they believed the Spirit had said. If the group affirmed it, they would move forward with action.
This may be exactly how the Spirit of God led the Quakers to oppose slavery in the early days of our nation.
I want to repeat that God is a God of variety. He speaks to people in many ways, and it is not up to us to decide which way is right or wrong. The most important thing is that we hear His voice and, just as the early church did, respond to it in a positive way.
Take Action
I appreciate what Henry Blackaby says about how God communicates with people. He explains that when God speaks to us, it is not simply a good feeling—like finding something warm and fuzzy in your pocket.
Instead, when God gives us direction through the Holy Spirit, we should respond with positive action. That is exactly what the Antioch church did.
“Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:3)
This marks the start of what we call Paul’s first missionary journey.
While Frank Laubach was communicating with God on Signal Hill in the Philippines, he felt led to minister to the Moro people. They were known as one of the fiercest groups in the world, and Teddy Roosevelt, prior to becoming president of the United States, had even warned him not to go.
But the Moro people were deeply touched by Laubach’s teaching and the love shown by his team. As they learned to read, they began the initiative of “each one teach one.”
Similarly, the church Henry Blackaby served in Canada believed God was calling them to minister at the Olympics. They were a small congregation with very little money, and the Olympics was a huge undertaking. Still, they listened and responded, and God proved faithful.
These are only two of the many ways God speaks to people. He loves the world, gave His only Son, and fills us with the Holy Spirit. We are given the incredible privilege to know Him, serve Him, and work with Him to redeem the world.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed Acts 13:1-3 on YouTube today. You can watch our conversation here:
