A Growing Church with Open Arms — The Good News Reaches Antioch (Acts 11:19–29)
In the early days of the church, following Jesus wasn’t always easy. Many believers were scattered from Jerusalem because of persecution. But instead of keeping quiet, they continued to share the message of Jesus wherever they went. What seemed like a setback turned into an opportunity for God to work in new and powerful ways.
Scattered But Not Silent
After Stephen was killed for his faith (see Acts 7), a great persecution broke out. Many believers fled from Jerusalem and went to other places like Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. At first, most of them only shared the good news with Jewish people.
But something amazing began to happen in Antioch, a large city filled with people from many backgrounds.
The Good News for Everyone
Some believers from Cyprus and Cyrene arrived in Antioch and shared the message of Jesus with Gentiles (non-Jews) too. This was a big step! And God was clearly with them—many people believed and turned to the Lord.
This shows us something important: when God is at work, His love crosses boundaries. The gospel isn’t just for one group—it’s for everyone who wants to hear and believe.
Encouragement from Barnabas
When the church leaders in Jerusalem heard about all the new believers in Antioch, they sent a man named Barnabas to check it out. Barnabas was the perfect person for the job—he was full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and he was known for being encouraging (his name even means “son of encouragement”).
When Barnabas arrived in Antioch and saw how God was blessing the people, he was overjoyed. He encouraged them to stay faithful and true to the Lord with all their hearts.
Then Barnabas went to find Saul (later known as Paul) in Tarsus and brought him back to help teach and strengthen the new believers. Together, Barnabas and Saul stayed in Antioch for a whole year, teaching and helping the church grow strong.
This moment was so significant that it’s in Antioch where the followers of Jesus were first called “Christians.”
A Church That Cares
While the church in Antioch was growing in faith, they also showed love in action. A prophet named Agabus shared a message from God that a great famine was coming. The believers in Antioch decided to send help to their fellow believers in Judea.
Everyone gave what they could, and they sent their gift with Barnabas and Saul to take care of those in need.
What Can We Learn from This Story?
- God works through hard times – Even when the early church was scattered and suffering, God used it to spread the message of Jesus to new places.
- The gospel is for everyone – In Antioch, Gentiles (non-Jews) were welcomed into the family of faith, showing us that God’s love has no limits.
- Encouragement matters – Barnabas lifted others up and helped them grow in their faith. We can all be encouragers like him.
- Faith leads to action – The church in Antioch didn’t just believe—they gave and helped others in need.
Final Thought:
God used a group of ordinary, scattered believers to build a strong and generous church in Antioch. They welcomed people from all backgrounds, grew in faith, and gave to those in need. That’s a powerful example of what the church is meant to be—a community of faith, love, and action.
Acts 11:19-29 (WEB)
11:19 They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. 22 The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch, 23 who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.25 Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul. 26 When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.27 Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and indicated by the Spirit that there should be a great famine all over the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius. 29 As any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea;