24 They passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia. 25 When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been entrusted to the grace of God for the work that they had [p]accomplished. 27 When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all the things that God had done with them and [q]how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they spent [r]a long time with the disciples.

Acts 14:24-28 (NASB) 中文

1st Missionary Journey

Paul and Barnabas now conclude the first missionary journey of the church, sent out by the church at Antioch and now returning there. They’ve been to Cyprus, Perga, Antioch of Pisidia and Iconium. The jealous Jews often kicked them out of the city so they head to the next city where they do ministry, have success, then get kicked out again. They just left Lystra where they were first worshiped as gods then stoned. Now they return to Antioch.

Route home

Paul and Barnabas have reached the apex of their first missionary trip and are now returning home. They’re passing through most of the same cities – some which kicked them out. They are encouraging the church and setting leaders in place. They added a new city, Attalia, on the way back before returning to Antioch, the church that sent them.

Mission accomplished

Upon their return, they call the church together for a report of all the things God has done. It must have been a long report! Though Luke, the author of this book, was not with them yet (he joined Paul on his 2nd journey – Acts 16:6–11 – in Troas), someone likely took careful notes of Paul’s report that Luke later had access to. 

It was at Antioch, “they had been entrusted to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished.” (v26) By His grace they made it back safely. What do they emphasize in their report? God is working – not Paul and Barnabas. “Paul and Barnabas had accomplished a wonderful work (v. 26), but they were careful to give God the credit for it. He was the One ultimately responsible for their success.” (planobiblechapel.org) It was by God’s grace they accomplished what they did.

And, second, God was working among the Gentiles. As we’ve shared before, this was a major change for this new church whose foundation was in Judaism. Since the Gospel was for all (even in the OT), God used this trip to reinforce that the Gentiles are also included. Many of these Gentiles were direct converts from pagan religions to Christianity; not first Jewish converts who then converted to faith in Christ.

RЯeflection

• When we do the work God has prepared in advance for us to do (Eph 2:10) are we doing it in the grace He provides or on our own power?
• Do we provide reports to people who send us or pray for us in the work we do? Are the reports geared toward giving God the glory or ourselves? Or maybe neither, maybe they are “just reports” and leave out the glory – which is also a shame.