Acts 14:21-28 Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch of Syria
21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. 23 Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 Then they traveled back through Pisidia to Pamphylia. 25 They preached the word in Perga, then went down to Attalia.
26 Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. The believers there had entrusted them to the grace of God to do the work they had now completed. 27 Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too. 28 And they stayed there with the believers for a long time.
Studying Paul’s missionary journeys can be confusing, so let’s look at an AI-generated summary of this first one. To understand the distance Paul covered during his first missionary journey, consider the following points:
- The journey spanned approximately 1,400 miles (2,250 kilometers).
- It began in Antioch of Syria and included regions in Cyprus, Asia Minor, and parts of modern-day Turkey.
- Key cities visited included Salamis, Paphos, Perga, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.
- The journey involved both land and sea travel, contributing to the total distance.
- Paul and his companions faced various challenges, including persecution and difficult terrain.
- The journey lasted about 1-2 years, showcasing extensive travel for the time.
Paul and Barnabas racked up a lot of mileage, especially considering the constraints on travel at that time. While Paul gets featured in the accounts, let’s look at Barnabas for a moment. If you have traveled very extensively, you know that a great travel companion can make all the difference. Few things are worse than being stuck with a complainer, someone who finds a cloud for every silver lining. And there are plenty of reasons for complaints as the two walk long distances, sail over rough seas, and travel into new places, never certain where they will spend the night or who will feed them. As a Levite, Barnabas fully understands the challenges of preserving the good parts of the Jewish heritage while proclaiming the Gospel to those without any Jewish background. Paul and Barnabas are breaking new ground, looking heavenward as they try to communicate the good news of new life in Jesus Christ to those from varied backgrounds.
While Paul is the “front man,” the main speaker, Barnabas is an integral part of the team, for he can come along behind Paul, discerning places where people are hung up on erroneous beliefs or false conclusions. Barnabas is one of those fellows who looks so happy that others become happy simply by looking at him. While Paul can preach fiery sermons, rebuking hypocritical Jewish religious leaders and pagan magicians, Barnabas comes in gently, learning the hurts and needs of hearers, explaining and clarifying. At no point does Barnabas ever appear to be jealous of Paul and his many academic accomplishments. Barnabas is obviously well educated; however, he is magnanimous, willing to allow Paul to take the lead while he quietly ministers to those in the back of the crowd who might be afraid to ask questions of Paul. Modern church workers would describe Barnabas as having a ministry of helps.
Look at the list of cities to which the ministry team returns: Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, Pisidia, Pamphylia. 25 They preached the word in Perga, then went down to Attalia.
26 Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. Realizing that this trip might be the only opportunity to found churches, the two take additional steps. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. 23 Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
What must the believers in Lystra have thought when Paul returned to them? If anybody had suffered for the Gospel, it was Paul, stoned and dragged out of the city while being left for dead. The images of that day would have burned their way into the minds of the believers in Lystra and all the surrounding towns. No sugar-coated promises would come from Paul, and this was vitally important because these people would later face intense persecution.
Finally, Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch of Syria, the church that had first commissioned them to go to the Gentiles. Here they were able to report and then rest and remain for “a long time.” Ministry must flow both ways, and Paul and Barnabas are now being encouraged and strengthened by the very people to whom they first preached the Gospel.
One of the perpetual challenges in ministry is resting and regeneration. Sometimes believers feel that pastors or missionaries have some special source of energy and do not require times of renewal; yet, this is quite wrong. As I am writing these words, we have just arrived from Ghana and are struggling to finalize speaking schedules while catching up on sleep, getting haircuts, securing new phones/phone numbers, and shopping for items that are difficult to find in our small town in Ghana. We find ourselves falling asleep whenever something isn’t screaming for attention, and we can only pray that we will get sufficient rest to be able to go back and take up the work God has called us to do there. We were thrilled to be able to attend a prayer breakfast, something we normally don’t get to do where we live and work.
May God help each of us to rest and renewal in His timing.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to know when to work and when to rest. Give each of us friends and co-workers who will encourage us when we are tired and our enthusiasm is failing. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
Burunche's Blog 
Leave a comment