Acts 11:26

And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

And {G2532} when he had found {G2147} him {G846}, he brought {G71} him {G846} unto {G1519} Antioch {G490}. And {G1161} it came to pass {G1096}, that a whole {G3650} year {G1763} they {G846} assembled themselves {G4863} with {G1722} the church {G1577}, and {G2532} taught {G1321} much {G2425} people {G3793}. And {G5037} the disciples {G3101} were called {G5537} Christians {G5546} first {G4412} in {G1722} Antioch {G490}.

and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. They met with the congregation there for a whole year and taught a sizeable crowd. Also it was in Antioch that the talmidim for the first time were called “Messianic.”

and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. So for a full year they met together with the church and taught large numbers of people. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.

and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people; and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Context of Acts 11:26

This pivotal verse marks a significant moment in the early church's history, set in the thriving metropolitan city of Antioch in Syria. Following the scattering of believers after Stephen's martyrdom, the gospel spread rapidly, reaching Gentiles in Antioch (see Acts 11:19-21). Recognizing the profound work of God among these new believers, the Jerusalem church sent Barnabas to Antioch (Acts 11:22). Barnabas, seeing the great potential and the need for solid teaching, journeyed to Tarsus to find Saul (Acts 11:25), the transformed persecutor who would later become the Apostle Paul. Together, they embarked on a year-long teaching ministry, nurturing the rapidly growing community of faith.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Growth of the Early Church: Acts 11:26 powerfully illustrates the dynamic expansion of Christianity beyond its Jewish origins. Antioch became a crucial center for Gentile missions, highlighting the universal nature of the gospel message.
  • Dedicated Teaching and Discipleship: The verse emphasizes the commitment of Barnabas and Saul to systematic teaching for an entire year. This highlights the importance of consistent instruction and spiritual nourishment for new believers, fostering a deep understanding of their faith.
  • Collaboration in Ministry: The partnership between Barnabas and Saul demonstrates the effectiveness of teamwork in spreading the gospel and building up the church. Their combined gifts and efforts led to significant spiritual growth among the Antiochian disciples.
  • The Birth of a New Identity: Most notably, this verse records the first instance of believers being called "Christians." This designation marked a distinct identity for followers of Jesus, setting them apart from both Judaism and paganism.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Christians" (Greek: Christianoi) is significant. It is formed by adding the Latin suffix -ianus (meaning "belonging to the party of" or "followers of") to the Greek word Christos (Christ). Thus, Christianoi literally means "Christ-followers" or "those belonging to Christ." It was likely a nickname given by outsiders, perhaps initially in a derogatory sense, to identify those who consistently proclaimed Jesus as the Christ. However, this label was embraced by believers, becoming a badge of honor and a clear declaration of their allegiance to Jesus as Lord. This was distinct from being called "Nazarenes" or "the Way," which were earlier terms for the movement.

Practical Application

Acts 11:26 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Embrace Your Identity: To be called a "Christian" is to identify completely with Christ. It means our lives should reflect His character, teachings, and mission. As 1 Peter 4:16 states, if we suffer as Christians, we should not be ashamed.
  • Value Consistent Teaching: The year-long teaching ministry of Barnabas and Saul underscores the necessity of continuous spiritual education. Believers should seek out sound biblical teaching, and churches should prioritize equipping their members through discipleship programs.
  • The Global Reach of the Gospel: The events in Antioch remind us that God's plan of salvation is for all people, transcending cultural and ethnic boundaries. This encourages us to support and participate in global missions, sharing the good news with every nation.
  • The Power of Community: The church in Antioch provided a place for believers to assemble, learn, and grow together. A healthy church community is essential for spiritual development and mutual encouragement.
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.

  • 1 Peter 4:16

    Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

  • Acts 26:28

    Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

  • 1 John 2:27

    But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

  • Ephesians 3:15

    Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

  • 1 Corinthians 11:18

    For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:12

    ¶ For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:17

    ¶ For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

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