The focus of Acts now shifts away from Jerusalem for the most part, moving first to Antioch. The persecution that followed the stoning of Stephen had resulted only in the good news being spread even further. This is an example of God working through all things for good. Some of them had gone to Antioch and there they spoke to Greeks. It is not clear whether this happened before or after the Cornelius conversion. So we see that God is moving in two ways here. On the one had there is the free growth of part of the church, reaching out to Greeks, presumably with no hang-ups about doing so. On the other there is the move on the "official" (established?) side of the church with Peter and Jerusalem. Both are clearly important, and we do well to remember this. The charismatic movement that started several decades ago had affected both independent and older denominational churches. Its overall effect is important because of the new churches that grew out of it, and its influence on denominational churches.
News of what was happening reached Jerusalem and Barnabas was sent to Antioch to investigate. Barnabas saw that the grace of God was operating. This is an important pointer, we should not look at things with legalistic eyes, seeking to find something wrong, but we should look for evidence of God's grace. The gospel is the operation of God's grace. Note also that the grace of God results in clearly visible changes.
Barnabas brought Saul to Antioch. At the end of the section we see also that the church at Antioch saw practical support for the Jerusalem church as important. Luke's message here is that Jerusalem and Antioch are all part of the same move of God.
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