Acts 11:19-21

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH.

Acts 11:19-21

Acts 11:19

They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews.

Acts 11:20

But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Acts 11:21

And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord.

Acts 11:19-21 The work has begun. The line has been crossed. The household of the faith has been immeasurably enlarged. What then would be more natural for the historian Luke to record than the continuance of this work among the Gentiles?

The next step in the spread of the Word to the Greeks also, as the Gentiles were so often called, was not carried out by way of the apostles but rather by men from Cyprus and Cyrene. If the reader will grant us the privilege we will tell in our own words the way in which this came to pass. The story starts at the time of the stoning of Stephen. As all know, a great tribulation or persecution arose against the whole church at this time. Some of those who were scattered went not only into Judea and Samaria, as Luke previously stated (Acts 8:1), but also into the country of Phoenicia, to the isle of Cyprus and to the metropolis of Antioch. To these places they brought the word of life but they were careful to preach only to the Jews. Then a change takes place. The men from Cyprus and Cyrene came to Antioch and preached the Lord Jesus unto Greeks also. What prompted these Jews to do this? Could it not have been that the word of the work of Peter among the Gentiles reached these places and when this report came to them, they, in their zeal for the Lord, did not hesitate to take the gospel to the great Gentile center of Antioch? The preaching of Christ attracted much interest, many listened, many believed, and many of those who did believe turned unto the Lord, i.e. were baptized (cf. McGarvey I pp. 224-225). Truly the hand of the Lord was with them. Thus, was the first church established among the Gentiles.

358.

Show how the persecution of the church by Saul started the work of Christ in Antioch.

359.

What change takes place in the preaching of those that were scattered following the conversion of Cornelius?