When Paul, then Saul of Tarsus, a raging persecutor, was nearing Damascus, intending to arrest believers there, the Lord appeared to him and changed his life completely. From then on he devoted his life to serving the Lord his Savior. Let us serve Him also!

The Lord soon made plain what He wanted Saul to do. With the same zeal Saul had vented against Him and those who believed on Him, he was to serve among his people, but more than that, among the nations, and even among kings and men in high places of authority. After Saul served some years in his native Tarsus, Barnabas brought him to Antioch where God had begun a good work among Gentiles as well as Jews. Together with others they taught many people there until the Holy Spirit made clear they should leave and reach out to the nations. Let us obey His leading too!

Barnabas and Saul began this missionary journey, John Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, going along as a helper. They soon met up with opposition and persecution. Paul, the main speaker, even was stoned. God worked, people got saved, assemblies were begun. Back at Antioch men came teaching false doctrine. By God’s grace this was corrected at Jerusalem. Let us stand for the truth!

After contention arose Barnabas left with John Mark. Paul’s work went on undeterred. Taking Silas, commended by the brethren, he began his second missionary journey. From this point on, the twofold ministry entrusted to Paul—the gospel and the Assembly—is the prime focus of Acts.