Acts 13:3

“And when they had fasted and prayed, etc.] Not when they had done fasting and praying, at the time the Holy Ghost made an impulse on their minds, to separate two of their brethren to a work they were appointed to; but at another time, which was fixed for that purpose; when they fasted and prayed, not for direction, who they were to set apart and send; for the persons were before pointed out to them, but that they might have every needful gift and qualification for the work, and be succeeded in it: and laid their hands on them; not as ordaining them, for this was not an ordination; the Apostle Paul particularly was not ordained an apostle by man, but by Jesus Christ; who personally appeared…”

“laid their hands on them--(See on Act 6:6) --"recommending them to the grace of God for the work which they had to fulfil" (Act 14:26). sent them away--with the double call--of the Spirit first, and next of the Church. So clothed, their mission is thus described: "They being sent forth by the Holy Ghost." Have we not here for all time the true principle of appointment to sacred offices?”

“And when they had fasted - They were fasting when they were commanded to set them apart. Yet this probably refers to an appointed day of prayer, with reference to this very purpose. The first formal mission to the Gentiles was an important event in the church, and they engaged in this appointment with deep solemnity and with humbling themselves before God. And prayed - This enterprise was a new one. The gospel had been preached to the Jews, to Cornelius, and to the Gentiles at Antioch. But there had been no solemn, public, and concerted plan of sending it to the Gentiles, or of appointing a mission to the pagan. It was a new event, and was full of danger and hardships. The primitive church…”

“Then having fasted - Again. Thus they did also, Act 14:23. Acts 13:5”

“13:3 the men laid their hands on them: This solemn act was only done after more fasting and prayer; the Pastoral Epistles warn against laying hands on a person to appoint that person as a Christian leader without due care and diligence (1 Tim 5:22). At this point, Barnabas and Saul were sent . . . on their way as missionaries of the church at Antioch.”

“the had, Act 13:2, Act 6:6, Act 8:15-17, Act 9:17, Act 14:23; Num 27:23; Ti1 4:14, Ti1 5:22; Ti2 1:6, Ti2 2:2 they sent: Act 14:26, Act 15:40; Rom 10:15; Jo3 1:6, Jo3 1:8 Acts 13:4”