The Believers Share Their Possessions

³² All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.^{(A) 33} With great power the apostles continued to testify^(B) to the resurrection^(C) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace^(D) was so powerfully at work in them all ³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,^(E) brought the money from the sales ³⁵ and put it at the apostles’ feet,^(F) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.^(G)

³⁶ Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas^(H) (which means “son of encouragement”), ³⁷ sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.^(I)

The Church in Antioch

¹⁹ Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed^(A) traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch,^(B) spreading the word only among Jews. ²⁰ Some of them, however, men from Cyprus^(C) and Cyrene,^(D) went to Antioch^(E) and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news^(F) about the Lord Jesus. ²¹ The Lord’s hand was with them,^(G) and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.^(H)

²² News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas^(I) to Antioch. ²³ When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done,^(J) he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.^{(K) 24} He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit^(L) and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.^(M)

²⁵ Then Barnabas went to Tarsus^(N) to look for Saul, 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^(O) were called Christians first^(P) at Antioch.

²⁷ During this time some prophets^(Q) came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸ One of them, named Agabus,^(R) stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world.^(S) (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)^{(T) 29} The disciples,^(U) as each one was able, decided to provide help^(V) for the brothers and sisters^(W) living in Judea. ³⁰ This they did, sending their gift to the elders^(X) by Barnabas^(Y) and Saul.^(Z)

Barnabas and Saul Sent Off

²⁵ When Barnabas^(A) and Saul had finished their mission,^(B) they returned from^[a] Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.^(C) 13 ¹ Now in the church at Antioch^(D) there were prophets^(E) and teachers:^(F) Barnabas,^(G) Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene,^(H) Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod^(I) the tetrarch) and Saul. ² While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,^(J) “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work^(K) to which I have called them.”^{(L) 3} So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them^(M) and sent them off.^(N)

On Cyprus

⁴ The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit,^(O) went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.^{(P) 5} When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God^(Q) in the Jewish synagogues.^(R) John^(S) was with them as their helper.

⁶ They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer^(T) and false prophet^(U) named Bar-Jesus, ⁷ who was an attendant of the proconsul,^(V) Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. ⁸ But Elymas the sorcerer^(W) (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul^(X) from the faith.^{(Y) 9} Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit,^(Z) looked straight at Elymas and said, ¹⁰ “You are a child of the devil^(AA) and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?^{(AB) 11} Now the hand of the Lord is against you.^(AC) You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”^(AD)

Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. ¹² When the proconsul^(AE) saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.