Jan. 03, 2023

The Church in Antioch

Act 11:19  Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews.  (Acts 7:54-60)

Act 11:20  Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news  about the Lord Jesus. 

Act 11:21  The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.  (Acts 2:41, 47; 5:14)

Act 11:22  News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 

Act 11:23  When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 

Act 11:24  He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 

Act 11:25  Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 

Act 11:26  and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. 

Act 11:27  During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 

Act 11:28  One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 

Act 11:29  The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 

Act 11:30  This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.