Spirit-Led

Pete Kersker - Jul 02, 2026

Barnabas and Saul (Paul) were called to leave the church in Antioch to start planting more churches in other places. We've already looked at how they had been equipped to serve in this ministry, together as a team. The most important aspect of the call, though, is that they were Spirit-led.

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:4-5 NIV).

Jesus, as we have already seen, designated twelve of his disciples (students) to be apostles (sent ones). Jesus specifically equipped them to not only walk with God, but to also help others do the same. Before sending them out two by two, Jesus temporarily empowered them with the Holy Spirit for their short-term mission trips. Jesus empowered the seventy two with the Holy Spirit in the same way before sending them out two by two.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8 NIV).

Jesus told them that there would be a day when they were "baptized" with the Holy Spirit in fulfillment of Joel's prophecy. This immersion in God's Spirit would not be short term anymore. Instead, it would be life-long. It would be permanent. They were told to wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them. Then, they would go out as they had been trained to do.

"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 NIV).

Barnabas and Saul had already received the Holy Spirit when they first believed and were baptized to receive the gifts offered by Jesus (Acts 2:42-43). Now, they were being called by the Holy Spirit. They knew that it was God's Spirit because they had matured to the point where they were able to discern when it was God's Spirit that was speaking and when it was not.

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1 NIV).

Have you ever been blessed by a ministry that was Holy Spirit led?

Has God's Spirit ever led you to serve in a specific ministry?
How did you know? How did it go?