Acts 11:19-26

New International Version

The Church in Antioch

¹⁹Now 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. ²⁰Some 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. ²¹The Lord’s hand was with them,^(G) and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.^(H)

²²News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas^(I) to Antioch. ²³When 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) ²⁴He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit^(L) and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.^(M)

²⁵Then Barnabas went to Tarsus^(N) to look for Saul, ²⁶and 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.

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Jeremiah 29:4-7

New International Version

⁴This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried^(A) into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ⁵“Build^(B) houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. ⁶Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.^(C) ⁷Also, seek^(D) the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray^(E) to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”