Study Desk

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,^(j) speaking the message to no one except Jews.

But there were some of them, Cypriot and Cyrenian men, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Hellenists,^[e][f] proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.^(k)

The Lord's hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.^(l)

Then the report about them was heard by the church that was at Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel^[g] as far as Antioch.

When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with a firm resolve of the heart,^(m)

for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit⁽ⁿ⁾ and of faith. And large numbers of people were added^(o) to the Lord.

Then he^[h] went to Tarsus to search for Saul,

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^(p) were first called Christians at Antioch.^(q)

In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.^(r)

Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world.^[i] This took place during the time of Claudius.^[j](s)

So each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea.^(t)

They did this, sending it to the elders^(u) by means of Barnabas and Saul.