And so it was that Joseph, a Levite born in Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means "One who Encourages"),

The news about this reached the church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul.

Barnabas and Saul finished their mission and returned from Jerusalem, taking John Mark with them.

While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul, to do the work to which I have called them."

Paul and Barnabas got into a fierce argument with them about this, so it was decided that Paul and Barnabas and some of the others in Antioch should go to Jerusalem and see the apostles and elders about this matter.

And so we have met together and have all agreed to choose some messengers and send them to you. They will go with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,

who have risked their lives in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul and Barnabas spent some time in Antioch, and together with many others they taught and preached the word of the Lord.

Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them,

There was a sharp argument, and they separated: Barnabas took Mark and sailed off for Cyprus,

Or are Barnabas and I the only ones who have to work for our living?

James, Peter, and John, who seemed to be the leaders, recognized that God had given me this special task; so they shook hands with Barnabas and me, as a sign that we were all partners. We agreed that Barnabas and I would work among the Gentiles and they among the Jews.

The other Jewish believers also started acting like cowards along with Peter; and even Barnabas was swept along by their cowardly action.

It was three years later that I went to Jerusalem to obtain information from Peter, and I stayed with him for two weeks.

I did not see any other apostle except James, the Lord's brother.

So Ananias went, entered the house where Saul was, and placed his hands on him. "Brother Saul," he said, "the Lord has sent me---Jesus himself, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here. He sent me so that you might see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Last of all he appeared also to me---even though I am like someone whose birth was abnormal.

He went straight to the synagogues and began to preach that Jesus was the Son of God.

But Saul's preaching became even more powerful, and his proofs that Jesus was the Messiah were so convincing that the Jews who lived in Damascus could not answer him.

The members of the Council were amazed to see how bold Peter and John were and to learn that they were ordinary men of no education. They realized then that they had been companions of Jesus.

And now, Lord, take notice of the threats they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness.

And pray also for me, that God will give me a message when I am ready to speak, so that I may speak boldly and make known the gospel's secret.

For the sake of this gospel I am an ambassador, though now I am in prison. Pray that I may be bold in speaking about the gospel as I should.