Acts 11:19-30 - Developments In The Church In Antioch
19 In the mean time they who were dispers'd upon the persecution that arose after Stephen's time, had travell'd as far as Phenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, without preaching the gospel to any, but Jews only. 20 some of them were of Cyprus and Cyrene, and upon their arrival at Antioch they address'd themselves to the Greeks, and preach'd to them the Lord Jesus. 21 and as the divine assistance accompany'd them, a great number of persons believed and became converts. 22 Of this the church at Jerusalem being appriz'd, they order'd Barnabas to go to Antioch; 23 who upon his arrival there, was glad to see such effects of the divine grace, and exhorted them all to remain firmly attach'd to the christian profession: 24 for he was a good man, and full of the holy spirit and of faith: so that many converts were added to the church. 25 at length Barnabas departed to Tarsus in quest of Saul, and having found him, he conducted him to Antioch: 26 where they resided a whole year with that church, and instructed abundance of disciples, and these disciples were the first that were denominated Christians.
27 About that time some prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch: 28 and one of them named Agabus foretold by the spirit, that there should be a great famine, thro' all the world: which accordingly happen'd in the reign of Claudius Cesar. 29 then the disciples determin'd to send, each of them answerably to his abilities, some relief to the brethren residing in Judea: which they actually perform'd, 30 and sent it by the hands of Saul and Barnabas to the presbyters at Jerusalem.