While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barbara’s and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:2-3

Holy Spirit is speaking to the believers as a united group in Christ. Within the group Sprit speaks to is Manaen, a member of the court of Herod the ruler who is now free from Herods reign of terror– he is Herod’s foster brother now a believer. Christ is separating Saul and Barnabas for anointing induction and this is these two men’s supporting believers.

The believers pray, fast, then lay their hands on the men one at a time. This is a rite of the Church which is used at times other than ordination– blessing, healing, special direction from Christ, and other occasions. From the laying on of hands experience of the Holy Spirit’s outpouring, they use every opportunity to speak Christ’s message whether in the synagogues or home meetings.

Similarly while in Albuquerque my group of pastors would meet at sunrise one day a week to fast, pray, and fall on our faces before the church altar as we humbled ourselves in His Holy Presence. Pray, fasting, talk, Scriptures were given to me by the Spirit to read aloud, conversations would flow, praises would lift. Always another pastor, different each time, would come to me saying Spirit directed them to same Scripture right before I read. We’d lay on hands; Spirit outpouring.