The leadership of a church is very important. It includes apostles, pastors and teachers, evangelists and prophets. All are under the authority of the original Apostles through Scripture.

Despite being in prison facing a death sentence, Paul opens his letter by reminding the church of all the blessings they have. He writes of God’s initiative in salvation but also the need for each Christian to make a decision. God is working out His purposes.

Paul greets the churches in Galatia, highlighting his calling and authority. He immediately starts to address the problem that has arisen - other Jewish teachers have undermined the gospel and taught ‘another gospel’.

Paul travels to Jerusalem for a second time to ensure he is preaching the right gospel to the Gentiles following criticism from Jewish believers who are undermining his preaching and questioning his authority. Peter and the other apostles agree with Paul and remind him to remember the poor, as the Gentiles did not share that concern in their societies.

Peter comes to visit the church in Antioch and then surprisingly stops eating meals with Gentiles, as if he is still trying to obey the Old Testament Jewish food laws which kept the Jews separate from the Gentiles. Paul challenges Peter to change his behaviour because the law of Moses is no longer in operation and the Gospel unites Jews and Gentiles

Paul and his companions met with James and other leaders of the church in Jerusalem. Paul was asked to perform a Jewish ritual to please those Jewish Christians who followed Jewish laws. In the Temple, Jews from Asia Minor stirred up a riot against Paul in which Roman soldiers intervened.

Following a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, they separated and Paul took Silas on his journey. The Holy Spirit hinders his progress in Bithynia and Paul has a vision of a man from Macedonia calling him to go there - to Europe.

An issue arose about the need for Gentiles to become Jews as part of being Christians , including the act of male circumcision. The Council of Jerusalem was convened and it was agreed that this was not right. guidance was given to the gentile believers to help them separate themselves from pagan rites.

From Derbe, Paul and Barnabas revisited the churches they had planted in Lystra, Iconium and Antioch in Pisidia. They went in person, taught the disciples, gave prophetic insight and established leadership teams. They returned to their sending church - Antioch in Syria - and reported back and rested.

Paul and Barnabas visit two different cities. Iconium has a synagogue and Paul uses the Old Testament to introduce Jesus. Lystra does not have a synagogue but is under the cultural influence of the Roman and Greek gods which Paul compares to the true God who sent Jesus. There are mixed responses with persecution from some of the Jews.