“From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles” (Acts 14:26-27).
This is the conclusion to the first of Paul’s three missionary journeys. This was the Church’s first major effort in evangelizing Gentiles. It is significant that they returned to the church that sent them, the church at Antioch. Also, it is noted by Luke that they began their mission having been committed to the grace of God.
That grace was enough for they had been very successful.
When the two apostles, Paul and Barnabas, summarized their successful trip it was clear that they had no intention of taking credit for their success. Yes, there were miracles but God had done them through the apostles. True, there had been many conversions, but it was God who opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
We will undoubtedly experience many victories as we serve God because His grace is still enough for us. What we can learn from Paul and Barnabas is one of the most important lessons in Christian service. God gets all the glory because He is the One who does the miraculous and He is the One who opens the door of faith to those who believe.
It is pure joy to serve Him and witness close at hand what He does when the message about Jesus is proclaimed. When I look at the highlights of my life my attitude is that God showed up and demonstrated His power. Praise God!
