The Gospel Spreads to the “Hellenists”

Acts 11:20-24

But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

Aaron Orendorff

To recap: first, “men of Cyprus and Cyrene,” scattered as a direct result of the persecution that “arose over Stephen,” arrived in Antioch and immediately begin “preaching the Lord Jesus”—that is, heralding the message of Jesus’ triumphant victory over sin, evil and death—to (stunned hush) the “Hellenists,” Greek-speaking, non-Jews. Second, the “hand of the Lord was with them” and as a result a “great number” both believe and turn (i.e., repent) to the Lord. Third, news of the Hellenist conversions reaches Jerusalem and Barnabas is dispatched to investigate the events. Fourth, upon arriving in Antioch, Barnabas witnesses what v. 23 calls “the grace of God,” the evidence of God’s hand at work in the lives of these newly converted non-Jews and, as the verse continues, is “glad.” Fifth, Barnabas exhorts the believers in Antioch to “stay firmly loyal to the Lord form the bottom of their hearts.” Sixth, again “a great many people” are then “added” to the Lord.