Acts
11:19 ¶ 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 but unto the Jews
only. 20 And some of them were men of
Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the
Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21
And the hand of the Lord was 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 Jerusalem: and they
sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of
God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would
cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a
good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added
unto the Lord. 25 Then departed Barnabas
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 first in Antioch.
The phrase scattered
abroad appears to be a reference to the Jews and Jewish Christians that
were dispersed by persecution in various diasporas. It is used in John 11:52;
Acts 8:1,4; and in James 1:1 although the phrase is also used in the Old
Testament regarding the building of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:4, the
Hebrews having to collect stubble for straw in Exodus 5:12, but also referring
to the Jews in Esther 3:8.
Phenice was located on
the island of Crete. It is not Phoenicia located in the vicinity of modern-day Lebanon.
Acts
27:12 And because the haven was not
commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any
means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of
Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.
Cyprus is an island in
the Mediterranean. Cyrene was, according to most commentators, was located in
North Africa in the northern part of present-day Libya.
The Christian community
is growing now due to God’s work and Barnabas, extolled as a good man, full
of the Holy Ghost and faith is sent by the elders at Jerusalem to Antioch.
It is here that Christians are first called as such. God uses Barnabas to add much
people to the Lord.
Antioch became known
for its Christians’ literal interpretation of the Bible as opposed to
Alexandria, Egypt’s Christian’s allegorical interpretation. One side says the
Bible says what it says and the other side insists that what it says means
something else. You decide which is a better bet.
Antioch will recommend
Paul’s work among the Gentiles later. He spends a year here at Antioch teaching
to the new Christians. What Bible classes they must have had!
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