The Church in Antioch

19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killedm traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch,n spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cypruso and Cyrene,p went to Antiochq and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good newsr about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them,s and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.t

22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabasu to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done,v he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.w 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spiritx and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.y

25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsusz to look for Saul, 26 and 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 disciplesa were called Christians firstb at Antioch.

27 During this time some prophetsc came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus,d stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world.e (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)f 29 The disciples,g as each one was able, decided to provide helph for the brothers and sistersi living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the eldersj by Barnabask and Saul.l