Acts, Part 23: The Church Militant
This is Paul’s first official Missionary tour with Barnabas and with their assistant, John Mark. Surprisingly, it was the Church in Antioch, not Jerusalem, that sent them on their way, with prayer, fasting and resources. It is a thrilling moment in Christianity. The Church is on the march, militant, prepared to go anywhere God leads and do whatever it takes to get the job done. And it is at this point that Saul becomes known as Paul. The Lord does amazing things through Paul and Barnabas who were full of the Holy Spirit. With signs and wonders, people heard the Gospel and put their faith in Christ Jesus. Paul and Barnabas are deserted by John Mark, but the mission continues in Asia Minor, in the other Antioch, of Pisidia. Their habit is to begin with the Synagogue, bringing the Gospel to the Jews first and the Gentile converts to Judaism. Paul preaches from the Old Testament revealing how the Old Testament points to Jesus Christ. These men know the Word of God and so it is not surprising that they are able to persuade the Jews of Antioch of Pisidia. They preached Christ, His resurrection, and the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. Luke tells us, “Many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, and the two men urged them to continue to rely on the grace of God.”