Developments in the Church in Antioch
19 Now those who had been scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, proclaiming the message to no one except Jews alone.
20
But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, [when they] came to Antioch, began to speak to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.
21
And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.
22
{And the report came to the attention} of the church that was in Jerusalem about them, and they sent out Barnabas as far as Antioch,
23
who, [when he] arrived and saw the grace of God, rejoiced and encouraged [them] all to remain true to the Lord with {devoted hearts},
24
because he was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large number were added to the Lord.
25
So he departed for Tarsus to look for Saul.
26
And [when he] found [him], he brought [him] to Antioch. And it happened to them also [that they] met together [for] a whole year with the church and taught a large number [of people]. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
27
Now in those days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28
And one of them {named} Agabus stood up [and] indicated by the Spirit [that] a great famine was about to come over the whole inhabited earth (which took place in the time of Claudius).
29
So from the disciples, {according to their ability to give}, each one of them determined to send [financial aid] for support to the brothers who lived in Judea,
30
which they also did, sending [the aid] to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.