Paul and Barnabas became good friends, and their relationship was leveraged by God to accelerate the spread of the gospel in the first century.

Today, on Insight for Living, Chuck Swindall will recount their story in a way that helps us understand

the powerful implications of God-given partnerships. Barnabas was an encourager who recognized his

weaknesses. Paul was a brilliant theologian. Their epic collaboration teaches us essential truths about

teamwork in God's kingdom and the beauty of serving shoulder to shoulder with those you love.

Chuck titled his message,

The Pleasure of Being in Ministry Together.

We're engaged in a study of the life and times of Paul, and we're in Acts chapter 11 for the scripture reading today.

Let me read for you beginning down at verse 21 to the end of that chapter, and then the last two verses of chapter 12 across the page there.

Acts chapter 11 and locate, if you will, verse 21.

And the hand of the Lord was with them and a large number who believed turned to the Lord, and the news about them reached

the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Then, when he had come

and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart

to remain true to the Lord, for he was a good

man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.

And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.

And it came about that for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable

numbers.

And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Now at this time, some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch,

and one of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the spirit that there would

certainly be a great famine over all the world, all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius.

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