Going Home

Pete Kersker - Jul 07, 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 were set apart to go. They had John Mark with them so they could train him to go as well. Where did the Holy Spirit lead them to go?

The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. (Acts 13:4 NIV).

The trip from Antioch wasn't very far. Seleucia was about a day away from Antioch, down the hill to the seacoast. Cyprus was an island about 100 miles away. They could make in one good day or even a few days with uncooperative weather. This trip was an important first stop because, for Barnabas, this was home.

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means "son of encouragement") (Acts 4:36 NIV).

Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus. He knew how to point people to walk with God because of his tribe. He would have been reminded of all this and encouraged in his ministry from his family. This is the same thing that would have happened for Saul.

So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus (Acts 9:28-30 NIV).

Saul was trained as a theologian who taught the Scriptures. After his conversion on the road to Damascus, Saul taught zealously but not very effectively. People wanted to kill him. So, he went home to Tarsus for awhile. Time at home refreshed him. It helped him. Then, his time in Antioch was productive, lasting for a year.

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch (Acts 11:25-26 NIV).

Did you know that Barnabas and Saul were more effective because they spent time at home?
How does your home town and/or family refresh and encourage you?

Do you encourage your family in their walk with the Lord?
Does time "home" with you refresh them?