In this portion of Acts, we witness the continued spread of the gospel and the establishment of a vibrant, multicultural church in Antioch. This section highlights how God’s Spirit guides believers to new places and communities, marking the expansion of the early church beyond Jewish believers to include Gentiles. 

The Story: The Church in Antioch

Acts 11:19-21 describes how believers, scattered by persecution after Stephen's martyrdom, traveled to places like Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. Initially, they preached only to fellow Jews. However, some bold believers from Cyprus and Cyrene also began preaching to Gentiles, bringing many to faith in Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number believed and turned to the Lord.

When news of these Gentile believers reached Jerusalem, the apostles sent Barnabas to encourage them (verses 22-24). Barnabas, a man “full of the Holy Spirit and faith,” arrived in Antioch and saw God’s grace at work. Overjoyed, he exhorted the new believers to remain steadfast in their faith. Seeing the rapid growth, Barnabas brought Saul (Paul) from Tarsus to help teach and disciple the growing congregation (verse 25). Together, they spent a year with the church, teaching many people.

Verse 26 tells us that it was in Antioch where believers were first called Christians—a term that highlighted their distinctive identity as followers of Christ. Finally, in verses 27-29, prophets from Jerusalem, including Agabus, arrived and foretold a coming famine. The believers in Antioch, moved by compassion, decided to send relief to the Christians in Judea, setting an example of generosity and unity within the body of Christ.

Key Themes and Insights

God’s Mission Advances Through Persecution

The scattering of believers due to persecution may have seemed like a setback, but it led to the gospel spreading far beyond Jerusalem. God uses even difficult circumstances to accomplish His purposes. This invites us to reflect on how challenges in our own lives might open new doors for God’s work.

The Power of Cross-Cultural Evangelism

The believers from Cyprus and Cyrene boldly preached to Gentiles in Antioch, demonstrating the importance of crossing cultural and ethnic boundaries to share God’s love. Their openness led to a flourishing, multicultural church. This reminds us that the gospel is meant for all people, not limited by race or background.

Barnabas: A Model of Encouragement

Barnabas, whose name means “son of encouragement,” played a key role in nurturing the new believers. His example teaches us the importance of encouraging others in their faith and supporting them as they grow spiritually. We are called to build one another up in love.

The Role of Prophecy and Generosity

The prophetic message from Agabus about the coming famine spurred the believers in Antioch to action. Their willingness to send financial relief to the church in Judea highlights the importance of compassion, generosity, and unity within the Christian community.

The Birth of the Term “Christian”

The fact that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch reflects how their lives were visibly centered around Christ. It challenges us to live in such a way that our faith in Jesus is evident to others.

Application for Today

This passage encourages us to see opportunities for ministry, even in difficult circumstances. It reminds us to share the gospel across cultural lines, nurture one another in faith, and respond to the needs of others with generosity. The example of the Antioch church calls us to be a unified and outward-looking community, focused on Jesus in word and deed.

A Closing Thought

Just as the believers in Antioch were known for their Christ-centered lives, we are called to live as a reflection of His love and grace. May our faith inspire others to see Christ in us, and may we extend His love to those in need, both near and far.