Study Desk

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed^(u) traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch,^(v) spreading the word only among Jews.

Some of them, however, men from Cyprus^(w) and Cyrene,^(x) went to Antioch^(y) and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news^(z) about the Lord Jesus.

The Lord's hand was with them,^(aa) and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.^(ab)

News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas^(ac) to Antioch.

When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done,^(ad) he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.^(ae)

He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit^(af) and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.^(ag)

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus^(ah) to look for Saul,

and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples^(ai) were called Christians first^(aj) at Antioch.

During this time some prophets^(ak) came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.

One of them, named Agabus,^(al) stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world.^(am) (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)^(an)

The disciples,^(ao) as each one was able, decided to provide help^(ap) for the brothers and sisters^(aq) living in Judea.

This they did, sending their gift to the elders^(ar) by Barnabas^(as) and Saul.^(at)