Acts 11:22

Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

Then {G1161} tidings {G3056} of {G4012} these things {G846} came {G191} unto {G1519} the ears {G3775} of the church {G1577} which {G3588} was in {G1722} Jerusalem {G2414}: and {G2532} they sent forth {G1821} Barnabas {G921}, that he should go {G1330} as far as {G2193} Antioch {G490}.

News of this reached the ears of the Messianic community in Yerushalayim, and they sent Bar-Nabba to Antioch.

When news of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch:

Context of Acts 11:22

Acts 11:22 provides a pivotal moment in the early church's expansion. The preceding verses (Acts 11:19-21) describe how believers, scattered by the persecution that arose after Stephen's martyrdom, traveled to various regions, including Antioch. In Antioch, some believers from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching the Gospel not just to Jews, but also to Gentiles, and "a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord." This outreach to non-Jews was a significant development, as the early church in Jerusalem was predominantly Jewish and still grappling with the full implications of Gentile inclusion.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Expansion of the Gospel to Gentiles: This verse highlights the crucial moment when the Jerusalem church, the central authority, acknowledges and responds to the burgeoning Gentile movement in Antioch. It signifies the Gospel's unstoppable spread beyond its Jewish origins.
  • Church Oversight and Unity: The act of the Jerusalem church sending Barnabas demonstrates their desire for oversight and unity within the rapidly growing Christian movement. They sought to understand and validate this new work among the Gentiles, rather than dismiss it.
  • Barnabas's Character and Role: The choice of Barnabas is significant. He was known for his encouraging nature, earning him the name "Son of Consolation" or "Son of Encouragement" (Acts 4:36). His reputation as a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith, made him the ideal person to assess and support the work in Antioch. His previous advocacy for Saul (Paul) in Jerusalem (Acts 9:27) also showed his discerning and inclusive spirit.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "tidings of these things" comes from the Greek word logos (λόγος), meaning "word," "report," or "message." It simply refers to the news or report of the successful evangelism among the Gentiles in Antioch. The action "sent forth" (Greek: exapostellō - ἐξαποστέλλω) implies an official dispatch or mission, indicating that Barnabas was sent with the full authority and endorsement of the Jerusalem church, not merely as an individual traveler.

Practical Application

Acts 11:22 offers several timeless lessons for believers and the church today:

  • Embrace New Movements: The Jerusalem church's response teaches us to be open to how God is working in new and unexpected ways, even if they challenge our current understanding or traditions.
  • Send Qualified Leaders: The wisdom in sending Barnabas underscores the importance of choosing leaders who are not only knowledgeable but also characterized by encouragement, faith, and a Spirit-filled life, especially when entering new ministry frontiers.
  • Maintain Unity and Connection: Despite geographical distance and cultural differences, the early church sought to maintain unity and connection between its various expressions. This encourages ongoing communication and support among different congregations and ministries today. The work in Antioch would later become a major missionary hub, from which Paul and Barnabas were sent on their first missionary journey. It was also in Antioch that disciples were first called "Christians" (Acts 11:26).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 9:27

    But Barnabas took him, and brought [him] to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

  • Acts 11:1

    ¶ And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

  • Acts 15:22

    ¶ Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; [namely], Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

  • Acts 8:14

    ¶ Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

  • Acts 15:2

    When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

  • Acts 4:36

    And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, [and] of the country of Cyprus,

  • Acts 4:37

    Having land, sold [it], and brought the money, and laid [it] at the apostles' feet.

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