🕊️ The Way | Christian Leadership & Theology

Scripture Focus: Acts 9:26–27; 11:19–26; 13:1–3; 15:36–41

The Church was still young, still fragile. The cross and resurrection were fresh memories, and the streets of Jerusalem still whispered the names of those who followed “the Way.” But fear hung thick. Persecution had scattered believers, and one name was spoken with dread—Saul of Tarsus.

He had been the Church’s greatest threat. Then one day, news spread: Saul had met Jesus on the Damascus road. He was changed, converted. Yet when he came to Jerusalem, the believers wouldn’t receive him. Memories of violence still stung too deep.

Except for one man.

“Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul had seen the Lord…” (Acts 9:27)

Barnabas believed when others doubted. He stood between fear and faith, vouching for the man no one else would trust. Without Barnabas, Saul might never have found a place in the Church that would one day send him to the nations.