This chapter starts listing some prophets and teachers including Simeon called Niger (Latin for black), Lucius from Cyrene and Manaen, a lifelong friend of Herod (the king that killed both John the Baptist and James). They might have all been rejected earlier as being outsiders or from the wrong group, but here they are included and active. As the believers prayed and worshiped together, the Holy Spirit told them to set apart Saul and Barnabas for the work they were called to. The believers prayed and laid hands on them and sent them out. 

Saul who was also called Paul and Barnabas travel to the Island of Cyprus with John Mark as their assistant. In the city of Paphos, they encountered a false prophet named Bar-Jesus, and a magician named Elymas who was advising proconsul Sergius Paulus who summoned them to tell him about God. A proconsul was a governor of a province in the Roman empire. Saul addressed his advisor for his deceit and cursed him with blindness. The proconsul believed and was astonished.   

Paul and his companions traveled to Perga and Antioch, cities in present day Turkey, where they explained that Jesus is the son of God as promised through the Jewish faith and history and many of the people believed. The conversions made the leaders of the Synagogues upset. Paul explained that faith in Jesus would come to the Jews first and then the Gentiles, non-Jewish peoples. They then started converting non-Jews to the faith who were happy to hear it. The leaders stirred up high-standing women and men to complain to the city leadership and got them driven out of the district. The apostles dusted off their feet, and headed off to Iconium, the next city on the Roman road, with joy. 

This section is all about sharing with those who are open, no matter their background, every one gets a chance. If one person doesn’t want good news, move to the one who does. People tried to silence them when they couldn’t compete with them, but they didn’t get upset or sad, just moved on with joy.