In this verse the word apostle is used in a more general sense as a reference to a commissioned messenger who is sent by Jesus Christ through the election of the church to preach the gospel in new places (see 1 Corinthians 9:4–6; 2 Corinthians 8:23; Philippians 2:25; Romans 16:7).1 Paul and Barnabas are thus apostles in the sense that they have been sent by the church in Antioch (Acts 13:1–4). Paul himself is also an apostle in the sense of being someone who was an eye and ear witness of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:7–10).
4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles.