Chapter 4—Ordination of Paul and Barnabas The apostles and disciples who left Jerusalem during the fierce persecution that raged there after the martyrdom of Stephen, preached Christ in the cities round about, confining their labors to the Hebrew and Greek Jews. “And the hand of the Lord was with them; and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” When the believers in Jerusalem heard the good tidings, they rejoiced; and Barnabas, “a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith,” was sent to Antioch, the metropolis of Syria, to help the church there. He labored there with great success. As the work increased, he solicited and obtained the help of Paul; and the two disciples labored together in that city for a year, teaching the people, and adding to the numbers of the church of Christ.{LP 40.1}

De apostle og disciple som forlod Jerusalem under den hårde forfølgelse som hærgede efter Stafanus’ martyrdom, forkyndte Kristus i alle byer rundt omkring, begrænsede deres arbejde til hebræiske og græske jøder. "Og Herrens hånd var med dem, så et stort antal kom til troen og vendte sig til Herren." Da de troende i Jerusalem hørte de gode nyheder glædede sig; og Barnabas, "en god mand, og fyldt med Helligånden og tro," blev sendt til Antiokia, Syriens hovedstad, for at hjælpe menigheden der. Han arbejdede med stor succes. Idet værket skred fremad, anmodede han og fik hjælp fra Paulus, og de to disciple arbejdede sammen i den by i et år, underviste folk, og tilføjede flere til Kristi menighed.