Acts 11:19-30
Christians First Called in Antioch
Read the passage
19Meanwhile those scattered by the persecution that began with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message only to Jews.
20But some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.
21The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
22When news of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
23When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to abide in the Lord with all their hearts.
24Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
26and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. So for a full year they met together with the church and taught large numbers of people. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
27In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted through the Spirit that a great famine would sweep across the whole world. (This happened under Claudius.)
29So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.
30This they did, sending their gifts to the elders with Barnabas and Saul.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Believers scattered after Stephen's death travel as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. They speak the message only to Jews until some men from Cyprus and Cyrene begin telling Greeks the good news of the Lord Jesus as well. The Lord is with them, and many believe.
The Jerusalem church sends Barnabas to Antioch. He sees God's grace and rejoices, encouraging everyone to remain devoted to the Lord. Luke describes him as a good man, full of the Spirit and faith. His encouragement helps a growing community attend to the One who brought them together.
Barnabas goes to Tarsus for Saul and brings him back. They meet with the church and teach many people for a full year. Antioch is where the disciples are first called Christians. Their new beginning includes sustained learning, not just an initial welcome.
Agabus then predicts a great famine through the Spirit, which Luke says occurred under Claudius. The disciples decide to send relief to believers in Judea, each according to ability. Barnabas and Saul carry the gifts to the elders.
The community that has received the gospel now cares for believers elsewhere. Their shared Lord joins teaching, encouragement, and generosity across the distance.
Questions
1 Where did the scattered believers travel?
AnswerThey traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, initially speaking the message only to Jews.
2 What happened when they preached to Greeks?
AnswerA great number believed and turned to the Lord when some men from Cyprus and Cyrene began speaking to Greeks as well.
3 What did Barnabas do in Antioch?
AnswerHe rejoiced at God’s grace, encouraged the believers to remain faithful, and went to Tarsus to bring Saul to Antioch for teaching.
4 How did the disciples respond to the predicted famine?
AnswerEach disciple gave according to his ability, sending relief through Barnabas and Saul to the brothers living in Judea.
What This Means for Us
Barnabas sees God's grace and encourages the believers to keep following the Lord. Encouragement can be more specific than saying someone is doing well: notice where faith is growing and help them continue.
The church's relief also offers a practical pattern. Each person gives according to ability, and trusted messengers carry the gift to those responsible for distributing it. A need far away becomes a responsibility they can share.
Choose a way to support fellow Christians beyond your usual circle, through prayer, encouragement, or a gift you can afford. Give thanks that the same Lord cares for them and for you.
Prayer
God, make our faith generous and our encouragement sincere. Help us use what we have to strengthen your people near and far. Amen.