Yes — Barnabas intentionally went to Tarsus to find Saul because Saul had the message for the Gentiles.
After the Jerusalem church sent Barnabas to investigate the Gentile response in Antioch, he saw that God was genuinely working among them. The Holy Spirit moved Barnabas to go look for Saul, who had received three years of revelations of grace that no one else had. Barnabas found Saul, brought him back to Antioch, and together they taught the church for a whole year.
Acts 11:25-26 — This passage records Barnabas departing to Tarsus for the express purpose of seeking Saul, and then bringing him to Antioch.
In Acts 11:22, the church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas to go as far as Antioch because reports about Gentile interest had reached them. The account then states: 'Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch' (Acts 11:25-26). Scripture clearly shows that Barnabas left with a purpose — he went to look for Saul, not merely to visit the city. The biblical text does not explain Barnabas's private motivation, but the wording shows that finding Saul was his deliberate goal.
Les Feldick teaches that Barnabas understood there was only one man for the hour, and that man was Saul. As Gentiles began to respond at Antioch, Barnabas was moved by the Holy Spirit to go up into the area of Tarsus and look for Saul. Les emphasizes that Barnabas went with a distinct purpose and that Saul was the one who had the message for the Gentiles.
Les says the sudden influx of Gentiles into the assembly at Antioch showed that God was beginning to move out into the Gentile world. The Holy Spirit moved Barnabas to go looking for Saul because Saul had the message for the Gentiles. Scripture records that Barnabas came, saw the grace of God, and then departed to Tarsus to seek Saul.
Les teaches that after his conversion, Saul was sent into Arabia where God revealed the doctrines of grace over a period of about three years. This meant Saul had received revelations that no one else had. Barnabas realized that Saul was the one with the answers and the message that the Gentile world needed.
Earlier in the book of Acts, when Saul first tried to join the believers in Jerusalem, they were afraid of him. Barnabas took Saul to the apostles and explained how Saul had seen the Lord and preached boldly at Damascus. Later, when the Jews sought to kill Saul, the brethren sent him to Caesarea and then to Tarsus. So Barnabas knew Saul was in the area of Tarsus in Cilicia and went there deliberately to find him.
Barnabas found Saul and brought him back to Antioch. Scripture says they assembled with the church and taught much people for a whole year. Les also emphasizes that it was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians, never at Jerusalem.
Saul's Three Years of Revelation
Les explains that after Saul's conversion, God sent him into Arabia for about three years to reveal the doctrines of grace, which prepared him to take the message to the Gentiles.
Only One Man for the Hour
Les emphasizes that Barnabas deliberately departed to Tarsus to seek and find Saul because Saul was the one man with the message for the Gentiles.
Barnabas Explains Saul's Part
Les portrays Barnabas telling Saul that God has opened the door to the Gentile world and that Saul is the one with the message now.
Led Sovereignly by the Holy Spirit
Les says Barnabas was led sovereignly by the Holy Spirit to look for Saul, and when he found him, Gentile Christianity began to flower at Antioch.
The Distinct Purpose of Finding Saul
Les points to the wording that Barnabas departed to seek or look for Saul, and explains that the reason was Saul had three years of revelations no one else had.
Barnabas's Earlier Confidence in Saul
Les reminds listeners that Barnabas was the one who took Saul to the apostles in Jerusalem when no one else would believe he was a disciple, showing why Barnabas would later seek Saul.
The Holy Spirit Moves Barnabas to Find Saul
Les says when Barnabas saw the influx of Gentiles, the Holy Spirit moved him to go looking for Saul because Saul had the message for the Gentiles.
Saul Sent to Tarsus
Les explains that Saul was sent to Caesarea and then to Tarsus, where he was ministering, making him the person Barnabas later sought out.
Acts 11:22: Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
This verse shows the Jerusalem church responding to the Gentile response in Antioch by sending Barnabas.
Acts 11:25: Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
This verse directly records Barnabas leaving for Tarsus with the purpose of seeking Saul.
Acts 11:26: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
This verse shows Barnabas finding Saul, bringing him to Antioch, and their year of teaching together.
Acts 9:15: But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
This verse reveals God's earlier declaration that Saul would bear His name before the Gentiles, explaining why he was the right man for Antioch.
No. Les points out the wording that Barnabas departed to Tarsus to seek or look for Saul, and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. It was a deliberate search, not an accidental meeting.
According to Les, Barnabas knew Saul was the man for the hour because Saul had the message for the Gentiles. Saul had received three years of revelations of the doctrines of grace that no one else had.
Saul was in the area of Tarsus in Cilicia. Les says Barnabas went up into the river valley where Tarsus was located to seek him.
Scripture says they assembled with the church and taught much people for a whole year. Les also notes that the believers were first called Christians at Antioch.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel Was Blinded — Acts 13 & Romans 11 Explained