Antioch

Galatians 2:7-12 - On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.

Acts 4:36-37 - Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.

Acts 13:2 - While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

Romans 4:12 - And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Conclusions:

• Paul’s ministry was not exclusively to the Gentiles
• Paul regularly went first to the synagogue when arriving in a new location
• Paul did consider himself to be foremost an apostle to the Gentiles
• Pillars is a common metaphor for those who represent and strongly support an institution
• Right hand of fellowship is a common practice among both Hebrews and Greeks, indicating a pledge of friendship
• Barnabas was used in Acts 4:36 as a good example of giving
• In this way Luke introduces the one who will become an important companion of Paul
• Barnabas was a great hearted leader who contributed significantly to the life and ministry of the early church
• From Antioch Paul had been sent out on his missionary journeys
• Peter was in the wrong for yielding to the pressure of the circumcision party, those going against what he knew to be right
• Paul’s first missionary journey did not result from a planning session but from the Spirit’s initiative as the leaders worshiped
• The communication from the Holy Spirit may have come through the prophets
• The circumcision group were Judaizers, who believed that circumcision was necessary for salvation
• Abraham is also the father of believing Jews
• Abraham’s story shows that for Jew and Gentile alike there is only one way of justification—the way of faith

Application:

• Do you contribute to the life and ministry of the church?
• Do your journeys result from the Holy Spirit's initiative?
• Have you been justified faith?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible