Neville Goddard on Acts 13:1-5 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Acts 13 in context

Scripture Focus

1Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

3And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

4So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

5And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

Acts 13:1-5

Biblical Context

Acts 13:1-5 describes prophets and teachers in Antioch who, while ministering, hear the Holy Spirit’s call to separate Barnabas and Saul for a divine work, fast and pray, lay hands, and send them off to preach in Cyprus.

Neville's Inner Vision

All the events you read are not happenings somewhere far away; they are scenes in your own consciousness. The Antioch church represents the arena of awareness where faculties long dormant—prophecy, teaching, leadership—are stirred to life. When the Spirit speaks, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them, it is the I AM within you naming distinct aspects of yourself and directing them toward a higher function. The fastings and prayers are the stillness of mind that quiets doubt, allowing the inner decree to be heard. The laying on of hands becomes a ceremonial blessing you place on your ideas, affirming their right to move. Being sent forth by the Holy Ghost is the inner impulse that carries your newly affirmed talents from contemplation into outward action. The voyage to Cyprus and the preaching reflect your inner truth taking form in experience. Notice that the power arrives when you yield to the word within rather than struggling to force results; your mission exists as soon as you align with the divine I AM and allow it to move you.

Practice This Now

Practice a brief inner reorientation: close your eyes and imagine the Antioch circle naming your own mission; feel the release as you say, I am now sent forth to this work. Then carry the sense of completion into your next step, as if the mission is already accomplished.