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)

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Footnotes

  1. 11:20 Lit Hellenists
  2. 11:22 Lit reached the ears of
  3. 11:22 Other mss omit to travel

The New Church in Antioch

19 Now the people who were scattered by the persecution that started because of Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But among them were some men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began proclaiming the Lord Jesus even to the Hellenistic Jews.[a] 21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

22 When the church in Jerusalem heard this news, they sent Barnabas all the way to Antioch. 23 When he arrived, he rejoiced to see what the grace of God had done,[b] and with hearty determination he kept encouraging all of them to remain faithful to the Lord, 24 because he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And so a large number of people was brought to the Lord.

25 Then Barnabas left for Tarsus to look for Saul. 26 When he found him, he brought him to Antioch, and for a whole year they were guests of the church and taught many people. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 11:20 Other mss. read to the Greeks
  2. Acts 11:23 Lit. to see the grace of God