Acts 14:27
And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
Before returning, Paul and Barnabas worked over a large territory, entering every place where they could gain an entrance and winning souls to Christ. On their return they retraced their steps to visit the churches they had started and to select men to unite with them in the work. They visited again the churches they had planted in order to confirm the disciples. That confirming work included exhorting them to continue in the faith through much tribulation.
They then returned to Antioch, the place from which prayer and counsel had set them apart and recommended them for the work, gathered the church together, and rehearsed all that God had done with and through them. Their report told how God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, meaning God Himself opened the way for the Gentiles to believe and gain access to faith. After this report they abode a long time with the disciples.
The account is recorded for the instruction of the churches today as God's pattern for missionary work and for laborers together with God who seek His counsel, surrender the will to His will, and receive the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. The church is to labor in the same way, setting no boundaries to limit its sphere, ever advancing and moving on and ever educating workers for further conquests, so the truth may extend to all parts of the globe and the circle of influence be enlarged. The experiences gained in such continual advance are of great value to the churches.