Paul's labors at Antioch, in association with Barnabas, strengthened him in his conviction that the Lord had called him to do a special work for the Gentile world. At the time of Paul's conversion, the Lord had declared that he was to be made a minister to the Gentiles, "to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me." Acts 26:18. The angel that appeared to Ananias had said of Paul, "He is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel." Acts 9:15. And Paul himself, later in his Christian experience, while praying in the temple at Jerusalem, had been visited by an angel from heaven, who bade him, "Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles." Acts 22:21.

Paulus gerning i Antiokia sammen med Barnabas bestyrkede ham i overbevisningen om, at Herren havde kaldet ham til en særlig tjeneste indenfor hedningeverdenen. Dengang Paulus blev omvendt, havde Herren forkyndt, at han skulle være hedningernes apostel "for at åbne deres øjne, så de må omvende sig fra mørke til lys, fra Satans magt til Gud, for at de kan få syndernes forladelse og arvelod sammen med dem, som er helligede ved troen på mig." Apg. 26,18. Engelen, som viste sig for Ananias, havde sagt om Paulus: "Denne mand er mit redskab, som jeg har udvalgt mig til at bære mit navn frem både for hedninger og konger og Israels børn." Apg. 9,15. Og Paulus selv fik senere i sit liv som kristen, mens han bad i templet i Jerusalem, besøg af en engel fra Himmelen, som bød ham: "Gå! thi jeg vil sende dig til hedningefolk langt borte." Apg. 22,21.