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So..what does this mean to anything? Especially to Peter and the 11 who were STILL at JERUSALEM? When the Church at Jerusalem heard of this, they sent Barnabas to look into it and HE went to Tarsus to find Saul (later called Paul), and UNDER SAUL the Church at Antioch became the BASE OF OPERATIONS FOR THE EVANGELIZATION OF THE GENTILES with "the gospel of the grace of God."

That's been quite a story up until this point. How about some evidence and not just layer upon layer of conjecture?

God, in His grace, in SPITE of Israel's rejection of Messiah, provided a means for Gentiles to be saved APART FROM ISRAEL: "BY THE GOSPEL".

Already handled in Matthew, Mark and Acts long before Saul's conversion.

But it is all part of the transition taking place in Acts. From law to grace, from a kingdom of believers to a body of believers, from the gospel of the circumcision to the gospel of the uncircumcision, etc. From Biblical Prophecy to a Biblical Mystery, hid in God from the foundation of the world, until revealed to the Apostle Paul. Eph. 3:2,3,5,6,9.

Quite a tale there and thoroughly unconvincing, especially when we are aware of what else lies behind the facade of this position. Your post reads like a succession from Christ to the Twelve to the minimalist churches of Jews versus a succession from Christ to Saul/Paul to the success of Christianity. The Twelve are a practice run and don't amount to much. Paul is the one to whom Christians must turn to. No.

Paul was necessary. But so was Peter. So were all the other Apostles (including Judas if you think about it).

You have been given SCRIPTURE, not conjecture.

ACTS 8:1: "And Saul was consenting unto his (Stephen) death. And AT THAT TIME there was a great persecution against the CHURCH WHICH WAS AT JERUSALEM; and THEY WERE ALL SCATTERED ABROAD throughout the regions of JUDEA AND SAMARIA, EXCEPT THE APOSTLES."

What part of that Scripture is "conjecture" in your mind?

Acts 11:22-26: "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. Who, when he came, and had seen the GRACE OF GOD, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith; and much people was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for TO SEEK SAUL: And when he had found him, he brought him (PAUL) 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."

What is it you don't get?

The Church at Jerusalem was under persecution, all were scattered abroad, EXCEPT THE APOSTLES> MEANING THEY REMAINED IN JERUSALEM. Acts 8:1, once again.

Those who had been scattered abroad preached the word to none but the Jews only until Antioch, where they also preached to the Greeks. PETER AND THE 11 DID NOT< HOWEVER. THEY WERE STILL AT JERUSALEM. REMEMBER? THey remained there when the persecution started. But they sent Barnabas to Antioch to see for himself what was happening there. Barnabas sees for himself and goes to Tarsus to find Saul, to bring him to ANTIOCH. WHERE THEY assembled for a year and taught many people. Acts 11:22-26.

It really isn't difficult to understand. All it takes is reading what God says happened.

P.S. Acts 11:29,30 states that Peter and the 11 were doing so well in getting out the gospel of the kingdom to the Jews, that it wouldn't be long before Israel accepted Christ as Messiah and the Gospel could be carried on to all Nations ....

No. It doesn't say that AT ALL. "Then the disciples (in Antioch, NOT Peter and the 11, they were STILL in Jerusalem), every man according to his ability, determined to SEND RELIEF UNTO THE BRETHREN WHICH DWELT IN JUDEA: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul."

So...why weren't Peter and the 11 out of Jerusalem, Judea, Israel in general, spreading the gospel of the kingdom as Christ commanded them? Paul and Barnabus were having great success in their commission. So much so that they took up relief to send to brethren...

I give you Scripture, which IS evidence. And you accuse me of conjecture. No, it's true. I have no photos of Peter and the 11 standing outside the temple at Jerusalem, waving to the brethren at Antioch. And I have no video of Paul delivering relief to those at Judea. God's Word is a more perfect testimony. After all, it's HIS TRUTH that HE HAS REVEALED to man. It is HIS revelation to mankind. Photos wouldn't help if one refuses to believe. Reading wouldn't help. I give you Scripture and you ask me for evidence. The BOOK SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.