Persecution Sparks Growth in Antioch

Witnessing to Gentiles

Most of Jesus' persecuted followers who scattered from Jerusalem shared their faith with Jews only.  In Antioch, however, some disciples from Cyprus and Cyrene spoke to "Greek-speaking people."  (Acts 11:20) While preaching to Greek-speaking Jews and proselytes had been going on since Pentecost of 33 C.E., the preaching in Antioch seems to have been something new.  It was not directed to Jews only.  True, the Gentile Cornelius and his family had already become disciples.  But it took a vision from Jehovah to convince the apostle Peter of the propriety of preaching to Gentiles, or people of the nations. -Acts 10:1-48.

In  a city hosting a large ancient Jewish community and with no great hostility between Jews and Gentiles, non-Jews were receiving a witness and were responding favorably to the good news.  Antioch evidently offered the right atmosphere for such a development, and  'a great number became believers.'  (Acts 11:21) And when proselytes, who formerly worshiped pagan gods, became Christians, they were uniquely equipped to witness to other Gentiles who still did so.

On hearing of developments in Antioch the congregation in Jerusalem sent Barnabas  there to investigate.  That choice was wise and loving.  He was a Cypriot, like some of those who had began preaching to non-Jews.  Barnabas would have been comfortable among the Gentiles of Antioch.  In turn, they would have looked upon him as a member of a community familiar to them.  He could sympathize with the work being done.  So "when he arrived and saw the undeserved kindness of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all to continue in the Lord with hearty purpose," and a considerable crowd was added to the Lord." -Acts 11:22-24.

"Practical reasons for the success of the early mission at Antioch," suggests historian Downey, "may have been that in this city the missionaries had not to fear Jewish fanatics such as they encountered in Jerusalem; also that the city, as the capital of Syria, was governed by a legate, and so enjoyed a greater degree of public order, with less opportunity for mob violence such as had occurred in Jerusalem, where the procurators of Judea seem (at this period at least ) not to have been able  to restrain the Jewish fanatics."

In such favorable circumstances and with much to do, Barnabas probably realized that he needed help, and he thought of his friend Saul.  Why Saul, or Paul?  Apparently because Paul, though  not one of the 12 apostles, had received and apostleship to the nations.  (Acts 9:15, 27; Romans 1:5; Revelation 21:14)  Hence, Paul was well suited as an associate in proclaiming the good news in the Gentile city of Antioch.  (Galatians 1:16) So Barnabas went to Tarsus, found Saul, and brought him to Antioch. -Acts 11:25, 26).

Next time: Called Christians by Divine Providence

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