Paul the apostle:
While Saul was at Tarsus, a movement was going on at Antioch, which raised that city to an importance second only to that of Jerusalem itself in the early history of the Church, so in the life of the Apostle to the Gentiles, Antioch claims an important place.
It was there the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles first took root, and from there it began to spread. When the news spread about Stephens persecution, disciple who had been assembled at Jerusalem; Cyprus and Cyrene were eager to tell anyone who would listen the good news of the Lord Jesus.
The number of converts grew rapidly for many came to believe, and when Barnabas heard, he was sent to Antioch to help Saul. There they labored together for one year mixing with the assemblies of the believers, and to “teach the people.” In all this time Saul remained subordinate to Barnabas.
According to the usual method of God’s divine government, the facts of the gospel were silently growing which were to suggest the future developments of faith and practice, one being the unprecedented accession of Gentile proselytes at Antioch.
There came prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch; one of them was called Agabus, who signified by the Holy Spirit that there should be great famine “throughout all the world.” It is obvious that the fulfilment followed closely upon his declaration of the coming famine.
For this reason the disciples at Antioch had determined to send contributions immediately to Jerusalem; and the gifts was conveyed to the elders of the Church by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. This was an illustrative example of the deep feeling of the necessity of union between the brothers and sisters which dwelt in the heart of the early Church.
Upon completion of their errand Barnabas and Saul returned to Antioch, bringing with them John surnamed Mark. A question must have risen for many, “What was the meaning of the Christian faith, of this baptism, of this incorporation, of this kingdom of the Son of God, for the world?”
Obviously the gospel was not for Israel alone! The Church was pregnant with a great movement, and the time of her delivery was at hand. The leaders at Antioch were ministering to the Lord, and fasting when the Holy Ghost spoke to them,
Acts 13:2, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”
Their brothers after fasting and prayer, laid hands on them, and so they departed for their first missionary journey!
A great deal must have been hid from them as to the issues of the journey on which they were about to embark. But one thing was obviously clear to them, they were sent forth to speak the word of God. The first characteristic feature of Paul’s teaching was the absolute conviction that he was only the bearer of a heavenly message.
The writer of Acts proceeds upon the same assumption. He tells us that, as soon as Barnabas and Saul reached Cyprus, they began to “announce the word of God;” and secondly, for the present they would deliver their message in the synagogues of the Jews only. In Acts 13:9, Saul is no longer called Saul, but Paul. Whether or not Saul changed his name to Paul is not known. But what is sure is Paul now takes the reins of leadership.
The two would travel the old path until they should be drawn out from it. But when they had gone through the island, from Salamis to Paphos, they were called upon to explain their doctrine to an eminent Gentile, Sergius Pauldus, the proconsul.
Phillip LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com