uted Christians during the time of Saul are scattered throughout, and Barnabas is sent to gather them to bring to Antioch. He then proceeds to tarsus in search of Saul. He finds him and brings him to Antioch where for a whole year, they meet with the church to preach the Good News. It is in Antioch that the disciples are first called Christians.Chapter 12Herod has been persecuting Christians for some time now, including James, the brother of John. At this point, he wants Peter arrested and executed before the people. While in prison, the angel of the Lord comes to release him without the knowledge of the guards. He goes to the house of Mary, the mother of John [Mark] to proclaim that the Lord has released him. Upon hearing what has happened to Peter, Herod is enraged and orders the guards on duty to be executed.Chapter 13The Holy Spirit has chosen Paul and Barnabas to spread God's ministry. The first city is Cyprus where Paul passed judgment on Elymas, the sorcerer, and turns him blind for a while. In Antioch, Paul delivers a sermon in the synagogue where they are very much welcomed by the Gentiles, but not by the Jews who fabricate rumors about Paul and Barnabas. This does not stop them from proceeding to Iconium, still filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.Chapter 14At Iconium, a great deal of Jews and Greeks believe their word, but the cynical Jews try to poison the mind of some Gentiles. At Lystra, Paul heals a lame man, crippled from birth. Upon seeing the miracle, the Greeks honor them to be gods in human form, but some Jews from Antioch raise insurrection among the crowd, and Paul is stoned and dragged from the city, assuming that he is dead. However, he is revived as the disciples gather round him. The trip back to Antioch, where Paul and Barnabas speak of their accomplishment, ends the first mission.Chapter 15The Holy Spirit directs the apostles not to accept the practice of circumcision as a requirement for salvatio...
