Barnabas

Barnabas is the person Jerusalem sends to assess the Antioch explosion — and his response sets the tone, choosing encouragement over suspicion and recognizing genuine grace at work among new Gentile believers.

Barnabas returns to Antioch from Jerusalem at the chapter's close, signaling that the mission is advancing on multiple fronts even as Acts 12's drama unfolded in the capital.

Barnabas is named first among the Antioch leadership team and will be one of the two men the Spirit specifically calls out to be commissioned for the first missionary journey.

Barnabas stands alongside Paul in Iconium, staying boldly through escalating opposition even as the city fractures into two hostile camps over their message.