We are told of five prophets and teachers at Antioch. Paul claimed to be an Apostle through Jesus Christ but was not one of the original apostles. The others had already received the "laying on of hands" but none were considered bishops as yet. Yet in the third verse in response to the Holy Ghost, they laid their hands upon Barnabus and Paul and sent them away. Some have interpreted this to be a sign of apostolic succession with respect to ordination. It is more appropriate to assume they laid their hands upon Barnabas and Paul to set them apart formally for the work they were about to start.

This is the beginning of Paul’s great Mediterranean Mission. There are several things to notice about this mission. It was not planned on paper. One thing led to another and no one knew where it was leading. The first twelve chapters of Acts talk about the extraordinary powers of the disciples, their constant prayers and proclamation of the good news. It describes the growing interest of bystanders, the opposition of the government and even the disagreement within the original band of followers. After this experience and the break from Judaism, it was natural to bring the word to the rest of the world.

Paul was definitely the right man for this job even though he was not the declared leader of the group. He had the Jewish background and the Christian experience. He had the Roman privilege of culture, education and citizenship. He had the mind of a philosopher and the heart and spirit of a mystic. He had the courage of a crusader and the humility of a saint. History requires an opportunity and it existed at this point. It also requires a leader to see the opportunity become accomplishment. God needs the leadership of men and if they respond at the right moment, literally anything is possible.

Paul also had the fellowship of the church behind him. He did not undertake his mission singlehanded and alone. He was not a prima donna going his own way, responsible to no one. His individuality flourished in the life and practice of the fellowship of the faithful. This is the real meaning of apostolic succession.

Paul had Barnabas beside him. God sent them out, not only one by one, but in pairs and teams. Paul’s brilliance was smoothed by the even-tempered, gracious Barnabas. Together, they accomplished what neither could have done alone. The church is in dire need of all the talents of men and they do not appear in a single person.

This movement also had the Spirit of God within it. The Holy Spirit said, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work whereunto I have called them." The time was right, the peace of Rome was prevailing, the Greek language was universal, the roads were good, the thirst for righteousness was great and the leaders were ready. All of these circumstances existed and nothing would have been accomplished without divine channels to provide the necessary directions.

The mission encountered another magician in Paphos. As always, magic presumes to have power to control the laws of God and to exercise that power by secret knowledge. It is quite common even today to seek ways to control the laws of God rather than comply with them. Faith is hard. Magic is easy. This magician was quite different from Simon the Charlatan we found back in Chapter eight. This one not only wanted to control God’s laws, he wanted to prevent others from learning about the faith. His active opposition brought a direct response from Paul. Paul did not cloak his feelings in fine language. Remember Peter did not cloak his feelings when Ananias and Sapphira lied about their gift. One of the burdens of Christian leadership is to know when to soften the message and when to clearly rebuke the offender.

John joined Paul and Barnabas as an assistant when they left for Cyprus. When they came to Perga in Pamphylia, he left them and returned to Jerusalem. Many have speculated on the reason for his departure, but no one knows. He stands as a symbol of the man who turns back. Many start new adventures with enthusiasm and good intentions. For some, when things get rough or they cannot have their way, they turn back. It is the unmistakable sign of a spoiled child. An undeveloped personality does not yet know how to adapt to circumstances that are not in his favor. The choice is simple – adapt or give up.

In this chapter, we hear a sample of Paul’s preaching in its earliest stage. It would be inappropriate to copy it for a sermon today, but the intent, content, and general method could be utilized by a preacher or teacher today. This congregation was composed of two groups: the faithful Jews and the fringe of interested spectators. Paul spoke to both. He did not restrict himself to religious jargon in favor of the Jews. He did not avoid religious jargon altogether in favor of the fringe.

When Paul preached to the Jews, he appealed to a Jewish mentality and need. When he preached to Greeks in Athens, he delivered the same message in language and imagery which people could understand intellectually and feel emotionally. Paul’s approach was a universal message in a local frame. In both cases, the heart of the sermon is "So we now preach to you the glad news that the promise made to the fathers has been fulfilled by God for us their children, when he raised Jesus." It is important to remember when we teach others that they need the good news more than they need good advice.

The good news is news of salvation. God had kept his promise and given them a Savior. The proof of the promise of salvation is the resurrection of Jesus. "You rejected him." "God raised him up." Paul traced the promise through the history of Israel. God stood by them through trials and tribulations. He did not forsake them but promised them a Savior. The resurrection is the proof that Jesus is the Savior promised by God.

This good news of salvation also has moral consequences. "Through this man, forgiveness of sin is proclaimed to you." From the beginning, Christianity was more than a way out of trouble. It is a way out of sin into newness of life. It is more than the promise of peace of mind. It is the challenge of the peace of God. Paul knew the futility of rules. He knew the Jewish rules by heart. He also knew he broke them no matter how hard he tried. The more he broke the rules, the more troubled he was in his heart and conscience.

In Paul’s eyes, a book of rules could never make a well-regulated family. Regardless of the effort to follow them, there is no justification in such a family. It is only right relationships that make a good family. If the relationship is right between the father and mother and between the parents and the children, then the rules will take care of themselves. The structure is based on confidence and trust, not fear and anxiety. When the rules are broken, the relationship of trust and understanding can clear away the guilt and make a second chance possible. This is the simplest statement of Paul’s doctrine of justification by faith. It is only through faith that we are able to maintain the relationship that allows offenses to be wiped clean. In Christ, Paul came to rest upon the tender mercy and love of God. At last he was justified, set right with God. This allowed him to continue his work without nervous tension and moral strain.

The congregation heard the good news with great relief. Paul’s sermon was met with complete approval. A few listeners even waited to talk further about their own salvation. By the following Sabbath, the crowd was so great that the Jews were jealous and stirred up a few important men and women to make things so difficult for Paul and Barnabas that they finally left Antioch of Pisidia and went to Iconium. It was difficult for the Jews to accept that salvation was for everyone who wanted it. Some would keep the good news to themselves.

The reaction and contribution of the congregation is important. Remember Jesus was not recognized in his hometown of Nazareth. If Jesus could not overcome congregational bias, what chance do we have? The good news must be faithfully and carefully set forth; and the people must respond with willingness to yield themselves to its demands. Discouraged preachers should always remember Paul.