Theme: The Word of God will go to the ends of the earth because Jesus Christ is King; submit to and pray for his plan

“…[Saul] is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. – Acts 9:15

While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” – Acts 13:2; NASB (1995)

The first missionary campaign of Paul and Barnabas took place sometime between 45 and 47AD. It was a long campaign where they spent several weeks in different cities, staying in one place until a church community was firmly established or they were forced to move elsewhere. As a general pattern, they would visit local synagogues and request an opportunity to speak. Jews who respond positively to the good news about Jesus would then typically form part of a new ‘house’ church where further instruction takes place. Gentiles who are associated with the synagogue would also be approached.

Does Saul become Paul?
In Acts 13:8 we are told that Saul was also called Paul. Saul was his Hebrew name and typically used when he was in Jewish circles. Paul was his Greek/Latin name and used when he was in Greek circles. His name was not changed following his conversion (cf. Acts 9:4, 17; 13:2). Much as many immigrants to English-speaking worlds take an Anglicised name on top of their ethnic name, many Greek-speaking Jews in Paul’s day would have a Jewish/Hebrew name and a Hellenistic/Greek name.

Several other figures in the New Testament also have two given names: Joseph, later called Barnabas (Acts 4:36); Simeon, also called Niger (Acts 13:1); and Thomas, also called Didymus (John 21:2).