Acts 11:19-30
Christians First Called in Antioch
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
Believers scattered by persecution travel as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. At first they speak only to Jews, but some men from Cyprus and Cyrene begin announcing the good news to Greeks as well. The Lord's hand is with them, and many turn to him.
The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
Barnabas sees the grace of God and encourages the church to remain faithful. He finds Saul in Tarsus and brings him to Antioch, where they teach for a full year. When a famine is predicted, the disciples respond according to their ability and send relief to believers in Judea. Teaching, encouragement, and generous care belong together in this growing church.
The believers who were scattered by the persecution after Stephen travel as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. At first they speak only to Jews, but some men from Cyprus and Cyrene begin speaking to Greeks as well, announcing the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand is with them, and many turn to the Lord.
When the Jerusalem church hears, it sends Barnabas. He is the right person for this moment: he can see grace without suspicion, rejoice without jealousy, and encourage people to remain faithful. He gathers Saul because the growing church needs teaching, and together they serve Antioch for a year.
The famine relief at the end of the passage gives the community's identity a practical shape. Each disciple contributes according to ability, and the gift is sent to elders in Judea. The believers are not united by geography or uniform background. They are learning to carry one another's burdens because they belong to the same Lord.
Questions
1 Where did the scattered believers travel?
AnswerThey traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch.
2 What happened when they preached to Greeks?
AnswerA great number believed and turned to the Lord.
3 What did Barnabas do in Antioch?
AnswerHe rejoiced, encouraged the believers, and brought Saul to help teach them.
4 How did the disciples respond to the predicted famine?
AnswerEach gave according to his ability to send relief to the brothers in Judea.
What This Means for Us
Healthy growth is not only more people hearing the message. It is also people learning to encourage one another and to share what they have when a distant need becomes visible.
Prayer
God, make our faith generous and our encouragement sincere. Help us use what we have to strengthen your people near and far. Amen.