The early churches in their infancy were vastly different than many of the churches we see and hear today. Jesus modeled for us what the church should look like and this model was continued through our early fathers. The apostles truly understood what the office and the position they were entrusted with. Through the lens of Peter, Paul, and Barnabas we will exam the different qualities a leader needs and should display. These three individuals exemplified what it means to be a pastor or elder. Before we can begin to understand just how Peter, Paul, and Barnabas led, we must have a working definition of what they did and how this is significant to the cause of Christ at an early stage of these churches. The word pastor can be translated shepherd. It is an elder in the truest sense. It is someone of maturity and experience guiding the flock. We see in 1 Peter 5:2-3, that Peter himself gives us this working definition of an elder. "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.  It's only naturally for individuals to want to seize control, be in charge, and have that power corrupt them; but it's a testament to how God works that those chosen and entrusted with God's church were more concerned with guiding the flock the way the Lord intended. A leader guides but not through force, they it through their example and full reliance on the word of God; this what makes a leader, an elder so important. They are someone that has been employed by the Holy Spirit and also recognized the responsibility of being a role model to those less mature and less experienced in the church. This individual is someone who is willing to but also does watch over others and help guide them towards maturity. This person must also be able to have the valor and conviction to be able to tell others in the church, " that hey when it comes down to it you can trust me, you can follow my example, I won't be afraid of your scrutiny, don't be afraid to imitate my life, because I should be doing it the right way." Peter, Paul, and Barnabas, even though they are human and not perfect knocked this quality out of the park. In Acts 1:8 Christ lays it out for the disciples, "ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." This is the point of the church the local ekklesia. However, in order to anywhere, any organization needs a leader. Three individuals play an important role in the structure of the local church. Peter and Paul take center stage when it comes to the Book of Acts but Barnabas is right there also. Although Peter is a leader at the church in Jerusalem, he is not that primary leader as that distinction goes to James. Paul and Barnabas are commissioned by the church at Antioch and sent out. Through their travels it is fair to say that both learned a great deal from one another. We'll examine each apostle one by one and see just how they important of a role they played. We first encounter Peter casting a net into the sea when Jesus calls him and tells Peter and Andrew to follow Him. Clearly Jesus saw something in Peter to initiate such a high calling. As Peter, the Apostle by W.M. Taylor puts