Acts 11

The Church in Antioch

19Now those scattered by the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word only to Jewish people. 20But some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, came to Antioch and also spoke to Greek-speaking people, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. 22News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas as far as Antioch. 23When he arrived and saw God’s grace, he rejoiced and encouraged everyone to remain devoted to the Lord with steadfast hearts. 24Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a large crowd was added to the Lord. 25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a large crowd. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.