| Text | Observations |
| AC 11:19 So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. [20] But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. [21] And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. | The proclamation here is referred to simply
as "the word" and "the Lord Jesus." This is obviously a generic reference
to the same message that was preached elsewhere.
Concerning the response, it is interesting to observe that the "hand of the Lord was with them and a large number who believed turned to the Lord." |
| AC 11:22 And the news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. [23] Then when he had come and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; [24] for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. [25] And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; [26] and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came about that for an entire year they met with the church, and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. | Barnabas observes the evidence of the grace of God in
the converts, and encourages them to remain "true to the Lord." Grace is
thus evidenced in people being converted, In addition, part of the lifestyle
response of new converts was "being true to the Lord"-- suggesting the
clear conscience of a life loyal to Jesus.
Ongoing ministry here also resulted in more people being "brought to the Lord." Here also in Antioch we see the term "Christian" first applied to the disciples. |
| AC 15:1 And some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." [2] And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. | Later, false teachers appeared and taught tht one must be circumcised to be saved. This position was promptly refuted by Paul and Barnabas and later put down at Jerusalem. This shows that Christianity completely broke from the Law of Moses and Judaism (though circumcision was not a part of the Law of Moses but was from Abraham; ref. Jn 7:22-23). |
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