Luke gives us 7 examples of the Early Church Leaders (ECLs) “checking in” on those spreading the gospel outside of Jerusalem.

• The Hellenists checked the Hebrews for ignoring the widow’s basic needs (6)
• Peter and John were sent to “check in” on Philip in Samaria (8)
• All the ECLs checked in on Saul/Paul - for good reason - and Sent him off to Tarsus… (9)
• Peter “checked in” on Philip again in Lydda and Joppa (9)
• The ECLs check Peter after he preached the gospel to Gentiles (10)
• And now the ECLs again send Barnabas to check on the Hellenist Jews preaching the gospel in Antioch (11)
• And we haven’t even gotten to the Jerusalem Council (15) - I won’t spoil that text for you…
  • But this “checking in” continues with Paul on his missionary journeys.