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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 11:19-26

We have here an account of the planting and watering of a church at Antioch, the chief city of Syria, reckoned afterwards the third most considerable city of the empire, only Rome and Alexandria being preferred before it, next to whose patriarch that of Antioch took place. It stood where Hamath or Riblah did, which we read of in the Old Testament. It is suggested that Luke, the penman of this history, as well as Theophilus, to whom he dedicates it, was of Antioch, which may be the reason why... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 11:22-26

11:22-26 News of this and of what they were doing came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem. So they sent Barnabas out as far as Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God he was glad and he exhorted them all to make it the set purpose of their hearts to cleave to the Lord, for he was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. He went away to Tarsus to look for Saul and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were guests of the Church there and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 11:22

Then tidings of these things ,.... Of the spread of the Gospel in several parts, and the success of it in the conversion of sinners, especially at Antioch: came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem ; these tidings were brought to the apostles and brethren there, by messengers which the ministers of the word sent unto them to let them know what success they met with; notwithstanding the persecution raised against the church of Jerusalem at the death of Stephen, and the havoc... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 11:22

The Church which was in Jerusalem - This was the original, the mother Church of Christianity; not the Church of Rome; there were Christian Churches founded in many places, which exist to the present day, before Rome heard the Gospel of the kingdom. A Christian Church means a company of believers in Christ Jesus, united for the purposes of Christian fellowship, and edification in righteousness. They sent forth Barnabas - It seems, then, that the Church collectively had power to commission... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 11:22

Verse 22 22.And the tidings. If this report had been brought before Peter did excuse himself, those good men should have been reproved of many whose ministry notwithstanding God had sealed with the grace of his Spirit; but that superstition was now wiped away out of their minds, forasmuch as God had by evident signs declared that no nation ought to be counted profane. Therefore, they contend no longer, neither do they count it a point of rashness, that some durst preach Christ unto the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 11:1-28

The mystery. The beginning and the close of this chapter refer to events of precisely similar character, which took place almost simultaneously, at all events without any concert or communication, in Palestine and in Syria; the reception of the Word of God by Gentiles, and their admission into the Church of God. It is difficult for us, after the lapse of eighteen centuries and a half, during which this has been the rule of the kingdom of heaven, to realize the startling strangeness of such... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 11:19-26

The many ways and the one work of God. It is interesting to see how God works in many ways toward one end, and how, from the first day of the Christian era, he has been acting on the world and on the Church, making all things to move toward one glorious issue. I. THE MANY WAYS OF GOD 'S WORKING . We may be reminded: 1. How he defeats his enemies. "They which were scattered abroad upon the persecution … traveled … preaching the Word, " etc. ( Acts 11:19 ). If the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 11:19-26

Founding of the Church at Antioch. I. THE SECONDARY CAUSES OF THE FOUNDATION . Christians had been dispersed by the persecution. And thus there went a stream of believers through Phoenicia, Cyprus, and the district of Antioch, charged with the Divine message, living seminaries of the word of love. Persecution, in breaking up communities, diffuses their spiritual contents, as when the box of precious unguent is broken a sweet perfume is diffused abroad. As a rule, these... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 11:19-26

A new center of evangelistic work. Antioch. Another hold upon the Gentile world. More important than Caesarea. Next to Alexandria. Intellectual culture; commercial. A sphere prepared for Saul. I. THE MINISTRY EMPLOYED . Lay agency. Persecution compelling the Church to enlarge its borders. The circumstances opening the door to the Gentiles. Probably little success among Jews. The multitudes of Greeks at Antioch. The Greek mind prepared for inquiry. The state of the heathen world... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 11:22

And the report concerning them for then tidings of these things, A.V.; to for unto, A.V.; as far as for that he should go as far as, A.V. and T.R. The news of this accession of Gentiles to the Church was quickly carried to Jerusalem, with the same motive, probably, that brought thither the account of the baptism of Cornelius and his household, as we read in Acts 11:1-3 of this chapter. The conduct of the Church in sending so excellent and temperate a person. as Barnabas (as we... read more

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