Just before Paul began the first of his three missionary journeys, he and others at the Church of Antioch were worshiping and fasting, when Holy Spirit set Paul and Barnabas apart on a special mission to the gentile cities. They journeyed throughout much of the Mediterranean coastline of modern day Turkey with John-Mark – a helper who would later be the cause of Paul and Barnabas’s separation in Acts 15. This first missionary journey is unique because Paul and Barnabas taught the Jews first and then the Gentiles (later on Paul would focus primarily to teaching the Gentiles) and tells of Paul and Barnabas’s response to a sorcerer who tried to lead a Roman Governor away from Christianity. What isn’t unique however, is how the Jewish leadership stirred up persecution against Paul expelling him and Barnabas from the region.

The word that Gentiles also received salvation spread throughout Judea. The Jewish believers took issue with that. Thus, Peter explained all he had done explaining this was the work of the God, for they also received the gift of the Holy Spirit. After hearing this the Jewish believers glorified God, seeing this was God's work. Then, those who scattered because of what happened to Stephen went to Antioch. The Church there grew so rapidly, Barnabas was sent there, along with Saul of Tarsus. Prophets came as well, one being Agabus, who declared a great famine was coming. Therefore, the disciples in Judea sent a contribution to help them.