IVP New Testament Commentary Series – Communication (14:26-28)
Communication (14:26-28)

As will become his custom (18:22), Paul reports fully to the church at his home base, Antioch. As Luke makes clear, God is truly the hero of the first missionary journey. Only because the Antioch church had . . . committed Paul and Barnabas to the grace of God (compare 13:3) have they been able to complete the journey. As Everett F. Harrison observes, the missionaries have carried out their task to the "full limits of possibility" (1986:238; compare Rom 15:19; Col 4:17). What they report to the gathered church is all that God had done through them—better, "for them" (see comment at Acts 15:4). The phrasing emphasizes their awareness of God's presence and his saving work throughout the mission (11:21; 15:4; compare 1 Cor 3:9). Finally, it was God who opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. This image captures what the first missionary journey was all about (Acts 9:15-16; 13:1-3). God did swing wide open to the Gentiles the door of faith, giving access to salvation by faith (Lk 13:24-25; Acts 13:38-39; 13:12, 43, 46-48; 14:1, 23). The church will survive to the next generation when it maintains this kind of fruitful communication between the just-planted church and the sending church.

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