In Acts 13, there is a clear analogy between (a) the relationship between Jesus and his disciples in Luke and (b) the relationship we see between between the Spirit, Paul, and Barnabas. The Spirit’s work through the word stands in the place of Jesus, while Paul and Barnabas fill the slot of the disciples.

In the Gospels, Jesus sent out his disciples to carry forward his mission. At that time, he told his disciples to shake the dust off their feet when towns rejected them (Luke 9:5; 10:11, et al.). Here in Acts 13, the Holy Spirit sent out Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:4), and when they are rejected by the leading people of the city, they shake the dust off their feet (Acts 13:51) as a testimony against them. The work of the Spirit bookends chapter 13, sending Paul and Barnabas out in Acts 13:4, and in the concluding verse of chapter 13 (Acts 13:52) the disciples are filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit of Jesus is carrying out the mission of God through his disciples Paul and Barnabas. How? Through the whole-Bible gospel proclamation—the word, the explanation and proclamation of how the Scriptures point to Christ—spoken by Paul.