Acts 11:19-30

Christian Standard Bible

The Church in Antioch

¹⁹ Now those who had been scattered as a result of the persecution that started because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,^(A) speaking the word to no one except Jews. ²⁰ But there were some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks^[a] also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.^{(B) 21} The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.^{(C) 22} News about them reached^[b] the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel^[c] as far as Antioch. ²³ When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts,^{(D) 24} for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit^(E) and of faith. And large numbers of people were added^(F) to the Lord.

²⁵ Then he went to Tarsus to search for Saul, ²⁶ and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples^(G) were first called Christians at Antioch.^(H)

Famine Relief

²⁷ In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.^{(I) 28} One of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world.^[d] This took place during the reign of Claudius.^{(J) 29} Each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers and sisters who lived in Judea.^{(K) 30} They did this, sending it to the elders^(L) by means of Barnabas and Saul.