Together Pete Kersker - Jul 01, 2026 "While they were worshiping 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 NIV). Barnabas and Saul (Paul) spent a year building into the people of Antioch before they were called to go to another ministry. We saw yesterday that they had already been equipped to serve in different ways. Barnabas was an encourager while Saul was a teacher. This is one of the reasons why they were called to serve together. Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits (Mark 6:7 NIV). Jesus invited everyone to follow him as his disciples (students). He only designated twelve of them, however, to be apostles (sent ones) whom he trained to "go." Jesus sent them out in pairs. After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go (Luke 10:1 NIV). Jesus didn't just work with the twelve in this way. He also worked with a larger group, preparing them to go out as well. Once again, Jesus sent them out two by two. When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus (Acts 9:26-27 NIV). Saul was equipped as a teacher of the Scriptures. Barnabas was equipped to build unity in the church. Their training was separate until Saul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. Then, they started to work together. Jesus prepared them to go out as a team of two. "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them" (Matthew 18:19-20). Have you ever been invited to serve in ministry? Were you alone or on a team? How did it go when you served alone? How did it go when you served together? Why do you think Jesus sent them out two by two?