11:22-24
It seems that the leadership in Jerusalem were fully on board now with the gospel breaking out into the Gentile world. They sent Barnabas to Antioch. Remember that Barnabas was the one who commended Saul to them, so they were looking on the developments favourably. On arriving in Antioch Barnabas was suitably encouraged, and urged all of the believers there to “remain true to the Lord with all their hearts”. A first decision for Jesus is by no means the end of the story, but only the start of a new life.
Luke speaks highly of Barnabas, and he was later to travel much with Paul on his missionary journeys. He was full of the Holy Spirit and faith. So we see the God to man side, and the man to God side of things. Being a disciple is not just a matter of me trying to follow Jesus. Rather it is about God living in me, through the Holy Spirit. But while it is not all about me, it is actually not all about God. Our side is to respond in faith.
11:25,26
Earlier Barnabas had spoken up on Saul’s behalf to the church in Jerusalem. Now he goes to look for Saul in Tarsus, wanting to bring him back to Antioch. We are not told why Barnabas wanted to do this, but we will see the results of his actions. Barnabas did find Saul and duly brought him back to Antioch. They met with the Christians there for a year, teaching a large number of people. This is the first time believers were called Christians. A lot of the incidents in the early part of Acts are quite dramatic, and some dramatic things will continue to happen, but there is also the long term, of which we see an example here. Proper growth in the church requires steady commitment, along with direct intervention by God.
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