Acts 11:22

"And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch"They sent forth Barnabas" The term they probably refers to the Apostles. The Apostles are not suspicious of the work in Antioch, rather Barnabas is sent to assist the brethren. The arrival of Barnabas expresses. manifestation of fellowship from the congregation in Jerusalem. Seeing that Barnabas was also originally from Cyprus, he might have known many of the Christians who were preaching in this region. Many denominational writers see Jerusalem as being. "mother-church" or headquarters that oversees the affairs of all the other congregations, but we must reject such reasoning. First of all at this time the apostles were in Jerusalem (Acts 11:1), and the apostles did have authority in all congregations. Hence Jerusalem was not. mother-church or headquarters, rather, the authority rested with the apostles, and not the congregation there. Once Barnabas arrived, he did not report back to Jerusalem, rather he went to find Saul (Acts 11:23-25). This church acted independently in. need that will arise at the end of this chapter (Acts 11:27-29).