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The Church in Antioch

19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews.(A) 20 But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists[a] also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus.(B) 21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord.(C) 22 News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion,(D) 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord.(E) 25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,(F) 26 and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called “Christians.”(G)

27 At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.(H) 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine over all the world, and this took place during the reign of Claudius.(I) 29 The disciples determined that, according to their ability, each would send relief to the brothers and sisters living in Judea;(J) 30 this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.(K)

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Footnotes

  1. 11.20 Other ancient authorities read Greeks

The Antioch church

19 Now those who were scattered as a result of the trouble that occurred because of Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. They proclaimed the word only to Jews. 20 Among them were some people from Cyprus and Cyrene. They entered Antioch and began to proclaim the good news about the Lord Jesus also to Gentiles. 21 The Lord’s power was with them, and a large number came to believe and turned to the Lord.

22 When the church in Jerusalem heard about this, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw evidence of God’s grace, he was overjoyed and encouraged everyone to remain fully committed to the Lord. 24 Barnabas responded in this way because he was a good man, whom the Holy Spirit had endowed with exceptional faith. A considerable number of people were added to the Lord. 25 Barnabas went to Tarsus in search of Saul. 26 When he found him, he brought him to Antioch. They were there for a whole year, meeting with the church and teaching large numbers of people. It was in Antioch where the disciples were first labeled “Christians.”

27 About that time, some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, Agabus, stood up and, inspired by the Spirit, predicted that a severe famine would overtake the entire Roman world. (This occurred during Claudius’ rule.) 29 The disciples decided they would send support to the brothers and sisters in Judea, with everyone contributing to this ministry according to each person’s abundance. 30 They sent Barnabas and Saul to take this gift to the elders.

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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)

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