Church History: 1In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2While 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." 3So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Teachers are often mentioned in the New Testament as an order of ministers, (1Corinthians 12:28-29; Ephesians 4:11; 2Peter 2:11). Their precise rank and duties are not known. It is probable that those mentioned here as prophets were the same persons as the teachers. They might serve both offices, predicting future events, and instructing the people. Barnabas was a preacher, (Acts 4:35; 9:27; 11:22, 26); and it is not improbable that the names "prophets and teachers" here simply designate the preachers of the gospel. Simeon was called Niger. Niger is a Latin name meaning black. Why the name was given is not known. Nothing more is known of him than is mentioned here. Lucius of Cyrene. Cyrene was in Africa. He is also mentioned as being with the apostle Paul when he wrote the Epistle to the Romans, (Romans 16:21). Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), was Herod's foster brother. He is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament. We are referring here to Herod Antipas, not Herod Agrippa. Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, (Luke 3:1). The word here translated, "which had been brought up" denotes one who is educated or nourished at the same time with another. It is not elsewhere used in the New Testament. He might have been connected with the royal family; and being nearly of the same age, was educated by the father of Herod Antipas with him. He was therefore a man of rank and education, and his conversion shows that the gospel was not confined entirely in its influence to the poor. Saul was an apostle; and yet he is here mentioned among the "prophets and teachers." Showing that these words denote ministers of the gospel in general, without reference to any particular order or rank.2
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