Acts 11:19-26

Barnabas Goes to Antioch to Encourage Young Converts

Ash reports that Antioch was the world's third largest city at that time, trailing only Rome and Alexandria. Luke reported that those scattered by the persecution at the time of Stephen's death went over a large area preaching the word, but only to Jews. However, the men of Cyprus and Cyrene preached the gospel to Gentiles in Antioch as well. That the Lord was with them could not be denied by anyone since a large number "believed and turned to the Lord."

When word of the events in Antioch reached the church in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas. He encouraged all the young followers of the Lord to commit themselves to the Lord. The goodness of Barnabas, coupled with his faith and the workings of the Holy Spirit had the further effect of a great many more people being added to the church. He then went to Tarsus to bring Paul back to help in this rich work. Together, they worked with the church in Antioch for a year and were able to teach a large number of people. The disciples, or learners, in the city of Antioch were the first to wear the name Christian. This seems to be the fulfillment of God's promise to give his people a new name after Gentiles had seen God's righteousness and kings had seen his glory (Acts 11:19-26; Isaiah 62:2). How appropriate that they would now be designated as followers of the Christ, or anointed King (compare Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).