*Acts 11:19-29
Scattered believers spread the gospel to Jews and Gentiles in Antioch, prompting Barnabas to bring Saul to join the flourishing church there.
- The Spread of the Gospel to Antioch
- Following the persecution that arose over Stephen, believers are scattered as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word only to Jews initially.
- However, some men from Cyprus and Cyrene go to Antioch and begin to speak to Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
- The hand of the Lord is with them, and a great number of Greeks believe and turn to the Lord.
- Barnabas Sent to Antioch
- News of these events reaches the church in Jerusalem, and they send Barnabas to Antioch to assist.
- Barnabas is described as a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. On arrival, he sees the grace of God at work and is glad, encouraging all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.
- Many more people are brought to the Lord under Barnabas’s encouragement.
- Saul Brought to Antioch
- Barnabas then goes to Tarsus to find Saul, and when he finds him, he brings him back to Antioch.
- Together, they meet with the church and teach large numbers of people for a whole year, and it is in Antioch that the disciples are first called Christians.
- The Prophecy of Agabus
- During this period, prophets come from Jerusalem to Antioch.
- One of them, named Agabus, stands up and predicts by the Spirit that a severe famine will spread over the entire Roman world. (This actually happens during the reign of Claudius.)
- The disciples in Antioch decide to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea.
11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
11:20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the LORD Jesus.
11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
11:22 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.
11:23 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.
11:24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
11:25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him 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.
11:27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
11:28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
11:29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 11:30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.