Acts 11:19-30

Acts 11:19-30

[19] Now  they which were scattered abroad  upon  the persecution  that arose  about  Stephen  travelled  as far as  Phenice,  and  Cyprus,  and  Antioch,  preaching  the word  to none  unto the Jews  only.  [20] And  some  of  them  men  of Cyprus  and  Cyrene,  which,  to  Antioch,  spake  unto  the Grecians,  preaching  the Lord  Jesus.  [21] And  the hand  of the Lord  with  them:  and  a great  number  believed,  and turned  unto  the Lord.  [22] Then  tidings  of  these things  came  unto  the ears  of the church  which  was in  and  they sent forth  Barnabas,  that he should go  as far as  Antioch.  [23] Who,  when he came,  and  the grace  of God,  was glad,  and  exhorted  them all,  that with purpose  of heart  they would cleave unto  the Lord.  [24] For  a good  man,  and  full  of the Holy  Ghost  and  of faith:  and  much  people  was added  unto the Lord.  [25] Then  departed  to  Tarsus,  for to seek  Saul:  [26] And  when he had found  him,  he brought  him  unto  Antioch.  And  it came to pass,  that a whole  year  they  assembled themselves  with  the church,  and  taught  much  people.  And  the disciples  were called  Christians  in  Antioch.  [27] And  in  days  came  prophets  from  Jerusalem  unto  Antioch.  [28] And  there stood up  one  of  them  named  Agabus,  and signified  by  the Spirit  that there should be  great  dearth  throughout  all  the world:  which  came to pass  in the days of  Claudius  [29] Then  the disciples,  every  man  according to  his ability,  determined  to send  relief  unto  the brethren  which dwelt  in  Judaea:  [30] Which  also  they did,  and sent it  to  the elders  by  the hands  of Barnabas  and  Saul. 

What does Acts 11:19-30 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The scene now shifts to Antioch of Syria. It was a very significant town because from there the church launched its major missionary offensives to the uttermost parts of the earth. Luke recorded events in the early history of this church because of its significant initiatives. The disciples in Antioch reached out to Gentiles with spiritual aid, and they reached out to their Jewish brethren in Jerusalem with material aid.
"With the ratification by the Jerusalem mother church of Peter"s action in admitting the first group of Gentiles into the Church as his preface, Luke now launches into the main theme of the book of Acts -the expansion of the Church into the whole Gentile world. Again he emphasizes the part played by anonymous believers in spreading Christianity." [1]