Barnabas brought Saul from Tarsus to Antioch at Syria.

Acts 11:22-26

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“Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.” Acts 11:22-24

The Church in Jerusalem included the Apostles of Jesus Christ, who were the overseers of the Churches all around. They heard about the preaching of the Christians who were scattered after being persecuted in Jerusalem. Their preaching brought Jesus Christ to many of the traditional Jewish people and to the Jewish people who adopted the culture of the Greeks [Hellenists]. This was good news to the Apostles, as it is to us who live for Jesus Christ, to hear that people have made Jesus their Lord and Savior. Our Lord Jesus has sent us the Holy Spirit to encourage us in sharing our born-again experience, which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ written on our heart.

“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.” John 17:15-19

The Apostles sent Barnabas to Antioch at Syria, and Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. He encouraged the persecuted Christians who were preaching and encouraged the new converts who came to live by faith in Jesus Christ apart from the laws of Judaism. The Holy Spirit encourages every one of us to continue glorifying the name of Jesus Christ, even in this atheistic and evil world. He encourages us to continue in the Spirit and in the grace and mercy of our Lord.

“Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Acts 11:25-26

Saul was the reason the Christians were persecuted in Jerusalem and why they scattered and ended up in Antioch at Syria, as described in Acts 8:1. What better news could the Holy Spirit bring to the persecuted Christians than that their persecutor had saw the Light and became a Christian? For that reason, the Holy Spirit motivated Barnabas to go to Tarsus and bring Saul to Antioch Syria where many of the persecuted Christians had gathered. For a whole year, Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch. For a whole year, Paul proved himself to be harmless as a dove and wise as a serpent. Our Lord Jesus, by the Holy Spirit, sends us into this evil world, filled with wolves, as harmless doves but wise like a serpent. “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16

Barnabas and Paul assembled with the Church and taught many people. There in Antioch at Syria, the name of Christian was first used for the followers of Jesus Christ, and about 2000 years later that name still stands. The Holy Spirit makes us harmless as doves so that the testimony of Jesus Christ can flow through us. If we are being critical of others, harming them in some way, how can we bring His Gospel to others?

The Holy Spirit makes us wise as serpents in that we understand there are some “…having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!…For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple…And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” 2 Timothy 3:5, Romans 16:18, 2 Corinthians 11:14-15

Tarsus was the hometown of Saul [Saul was known as Paul after coming to Jesus Christ], “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia…” Acts 22:3 As seen on the map below, Tarsus [circled in green] is west northwest of Antioch in Syria. Antioch at Syria is also circled in green, on the east side of the map and above Phoenicia and Jerusalem.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11