A question of legitimacy

Let us recall who had opposed and disputed with Stephen in his preaching.
Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen (Acts 6:9).
They were Jews, or so-called God-fearers belonging to the synagogues of the Freedmen, the Cyrenians, Alexandrians and those from Cilicia and Asia. They were Greek-speaking.
Now, fast forward to Acts 11 and take a snapshot at the situation of the Church after Saul's persecutions.
Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews.
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus (Acts 11:19-20).
Who were "Those who were scattered" because of the persecution? Let us assume that they were Greek-speaking Jewish Christians from Jerusalem. They travelled as far as Antioch. This Antioch was in Syria, not the one in Pisidia in Acts 13. These Christians preached to Jews only. St. Paul followed their tactics in his missionary journeys. However, Acts 11:20 tells us that some of them came from Cyprus and Cyrene. Therefore, the persecution was more widespread and was not confined to Jerusalem. These believers preached the gospel but they preached to the Greeks also. How and when did they become disciples? Perhaps they were converted by witnessing the martyrdom of Stephen but Luke did not have any record of it. We have to go further back than the story of Stephen.
On Pentecost, many Jews from all over the known world gathered in Jerusalem on pilgrimage.
Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes (Acts 2:10).
Three thousands were converted to Christianity. Among them must have been Alexandrians (Egyptians) and Cyrenians. When persecution arose, they too fled and spread the gospel all over the world.

Nowadays, missionaries are sent out by various departments in the Church. They come from religious orders such as the Franciscans, Dominicans and Jesuits etc. They also come from the Church Hierarchy. In short, these missionaries are officially sanctioned and are legitimate. But in the time of the early Church when a formal structure had not yet been evolved, any Christians could take up the mission to preach the gospel. Without any formal training, there was no guarantee of the quality of preaching. Each preached according to his own understanding and fervour. No wonder Paul complained about the acceptance of a "different gospel" by the Corinthians and Galatians (2 Corinthians 11:4, Galatians 1:6). Orthodoxy and heresy spread hand in hand. It seems to be inevitable for Christians to live with heresy.

Let's return to Antioch. Luke reported the thriving of the Church in Antioch.
And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord (Acts 11:21).
Well, this statement is anachronistic because a great increase in membership does not guarantee quality. The early Church needed to investigate whether this increase was authentic and the faith of the believers was genuine. How did the Jerusalem Church handle it? They sent Barnabas.
News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose;
for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord (Acts 11:22-24).
The Jerusalem Church still held a primacy position. The Church in Rome was not yet established.
Barnabas was sent. But where was Peter? Well, Peter was not able to do everything. He might still be working in Samaria. Moreover, he might not be the most competent person to deal with the believers in Antioch, especially the Greek ones. Once more, we see that the Church needs collaboration even from the beginning.
What did Barnabas see? The grace of God. What does it mean? I think it is not a simple question and when opportunity arises, I hope I will be able to deal with this concept.
Barnabas did not simply investigate as a legitimate officer from the mother church in Jerusalem. He participated and shared the mission with the disciples in Antioch. Moreover, he involved more people in the mission.
So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul;
and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians (Acts 11:25-26).
Truly, the Church grows when the ministers work in collaboration. Later, Barnabas became an integral part of the Antioch Church.

Dear Lord, restore in us the spirit of collaboration. Let us recognize and utilize the gifts You have generously bestowed on us to build up Your Kingdom on earth. Amen.