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 Church in Antioch of Syria

19 Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. 20 However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles[a] about the Lord Jesus. 21 The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.

22 When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. 24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.

25 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. 26 When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers[b] were first called Christians.)

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Footnotes

  1. 11:20 Greek the Hellenists (i.e., those who speak Greek); other manuscripts read the Greeks.
  2. 11:26 Greek disciples; also in 11:29.